Timbers behavior

[Lex]

Hi my name is Lexy I have a 4 1/2 month Mini Rex his name is Timber. I’ve had him for a month and he was great the first 2/3 weeks and now he’s been really bad he’s biting me and my boyfriend digging on us. He looks as if he’s going to jump off our laps. So we put him in his harness and he goes crazy running but it’s more of I’m running aways kind of run and then he’ll wiggle out of the harness. This morning at 5 am my boyfriend opens the hutch to feed him and give fresh water and Timber jumped out the of the hutch. Thats a huge drop its up to my chest and I’m 5’10”. My boyfriend finally caught him after 10 minutes and he went to put him back in the hutch and Timber was biting him and getting really bad and then laid down. I don’t know what to do I need help and were supposed to go away in a week and he is gonna stay at my grandpas but if he’s gonna be doing what he did this morning then he cant stay there. I really need some adivce on what to do. Please and thank you

[MrBun&Daisy]

is timber neutered? that can be a normal cause for bad behavior. I also wouldn’t recommend that you continue putting him in the harness. I know they’re sold for rabbits and SOME rabbits don’t mind but especially in a feisty rabbit like you’ve got right now he can really hurt himself fighting against it. also you mentioned he looked like he was going to jump out of your laps, he is probably trying to tell you he does not like to be held in your lap. most buns don’t. there are some buns that have a snuggly personality but most of them don’t. Please don’t take this the wrong way but it sounds like you may be handling him incorrectly, or at least in a way he doesn’t like. I would suggest you give him some space for a while. since you have only had him for a month you are still in the bonding process with him. I would suggest slowing WAY down. almost to the point of ignoring him. if he thinks every time he comes near you guys you’re going to scoop him up then he will automatically be in defense mode. just let him come to you. talk to him but only pet him if he lets you. Eventually he will come around and actually come to you for pets. as for his fall- is you picking him up the only way for him to get out of the hutch? buns should have free access to come and go as they please. and if the hutch is that high the risk of another fall is just as high. the best thing to do with a new bun is to sit on the floor and read or do something quietly while he is free to come out and investigate on his own.

also if he is supposed to stay at your grandpas which I’m assuming is another new place for him that will stress him out more. please make sure your grandpa keeps him in quite place as he will likely be scared of the new environment. also please understand that a rabbits only defense against his fear is to bite and scratch to protect himself. he is not a bad bun he just needs a little more time and space.

My newest girl has been with us since july and we are still working with her. she is at the point now where she gets excited to see us but still runs away if we try to pet her. she too will bite if we don’t leave her alone.

remember- to him you are one BIG SCARY BUNNY. he needs time to build his trust with you. take it slow and let him call the shots.

[Mikey]

Is he an inside or outside rabbit? Is he neutered, yet? It sounds like fear mixed with hormones. If he lives outside, you might have animals or bugs bothering him that he doesnt like, and you dont know about. If hes not neutered, thats making him more angry than he normally would be. If he is outside, i would suggest bringing him inside, and also putting his cage on the floor. Most rabbits do not prefer to be too far off of the floor

[Odette]

May I ask why you are you putting Timber in a harness?

A rabbit trying to fight a harness can very seriously injure themselves. Not all bunnies take to harnesses. Some do, but Timber doesn’t sound like he is into it.

[Azerane]

Hello, welcome to the forum. It sounds like you have a couple of issues going on.

The first I imagine is hormones, and generally young bunny behaviour. Digging and biting while in your lap is likely a combination of him not wanting to be on your lap, and his age. Younger bunnies tend to nip as they go through puberty and learn what is an isn’t acceptable. As mentioned, most rabbits don’t like to be held on laps at all and would be much more comfortable on the ground with you sitting next to him to pet him. He looks as if he’s going to jump off your laps, because he wants to jump off.

In regards to the harness, stop using it. By the sounds of it he is obviously frightened and uncomfortable while wearing it. He’s trying to run away from it, but isn’t able to because it’s attached to him. It is very dangerous for a frightened rabbit to be wearing a harness as they tend to run a lot, especially in small spaces which can result in the harness getting caught on something. If you must use a harness with him, you will need to harness train him properly and start from scratch, getting him used to the harness without putting it on him.

Jumping out of the hutch is a concern. I imagine he’s just keen to be out of there and running around as any young rabbit would be. What’s he like when you try to pick him up out of the hutch? Does he run away and you have to chase him around with your hands or are you able to pick him up easily. Also, how are you picking him up and holding him when you do?

If he’s outside, I suggest a playpen for his play time, instead of the harness. Set it up on the lawn or where he usually gets to run around, give him a hidey box, water, hay and toys and let him play in it. Given his jumping nature, you’ll need a very tall one to discourage him from jumping out (unless it has a roof) and he’ll need constant supervision while in it. If he’s an indoor bun. I suggest rabbit proofing a section of room and setting it up with a playpen that he is able to access by himself when you open the door. Perhaps lowering his hutch to the ground, or building some sort of steps or ramp for him so that when you open the door he is able to go to the playpen and return to the hutch when he wants.

Neutering may help with the digging and nipping a little, depending on the cause, but otherwise it sounds like he may be uncomfortable or scared. Working on gentle handling, and I think less direct handling could help.

[Author]

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