tips for some quality bonding time with my bun?

[doodlebut88]

 Reese and I have been together a little over a year now. I adopted him and, at the time, was told he was about a year old.

From the beginning, he was pretty good about letting my touch/rub him. He was very comfortable in his home and has plenty of room to run all around- pretty much free range of my entire room and office area. And he was even pretty good about letting me pick him up every now and then. I bought him a bunny leash to take him out and let him run around and he really enjoyed that.

But then I had him fixed. And, I’m nearly positive, it was from that point on that he was not crazy about being held or picked up. Our petting and rubbing-type bonding has increased ten-fold. But he’s never been the type of bun that would let me pick him up and rub him in my arms or plop him on my chest and rub him, etc. 

But, lately, I’ve wanted to really increase our bonding time together. I would love for him to be the type of bun that would be calm enough to let me pick him up and hold him for a few minutes, but IF i can even pick him up, he squiggles away after about 30 seconds. Is this a demeanor issue or is this something that you think we could work on over time?

Also, I’d love to be able to take him back outside but now he won’t even allow the leash to be put on him. I tried building him an outside playpen yesterday and took him outside to romp around and he had absolutely no interest…! I’ve spent money on tons of toys that he doesn’t seem phased by, and have tried to initiate “play time” but he doesn’t seem to understand the concept of “mutual play”. I’ve also tried to “play with him” by running beside him and attempting to get him to do binkies but he sorta just stares at me like I’M the one who’s lost my mind…

 

At any rate, I was wondering if you had some ideas for cuddling/bonding/play time that you think might help me, or if these issues just seem to be related to demeanor and can’t really be altered? 

Also: in terms of rubbing and getting Reese to calm down, I vaguely remember reading that flipping bunnies on their back (although it’s done to trim their nails) is slightly traumatizing- is this true and should I not attempt to do it? He gets his nails trimmed at the vets because I trust they would do a much better job than myself.

 

Thanks, in advance, for your responses!

 

Alexa 

[RabbitPam]

Hi, Alexa,

Overall, he sounds like a maturing bunny, and they begin to calm down and play a lot less when they reach adulthood, which is assisted by the neutering to remove the hormonal activity.

I agree that there is potential for harm if you flip the bunny on its back, since a squirm can result in a break or a fall, so I wouldn’t attempt that when you’re satisfied with the vet. You can always try using a bunny burrito on a counter top or floor to work with him on trimming nails yourself. See the Bunny Info section for details on that.

Bunnies are not cuddly by nature, and some totally refuse to be held, so he sounds like he’s pretty good that way and 30 seconds is not bad. My Sammy won’t let me pick her up at all, and Spockie used to let me do that daily, but never for long. A lap bunny is an exception, not the rule, though many of our bunnies, including Sammy, will like snuggling with you sort of beside you. If you are lying down and they feel like there’s a cozy spot on you to snuggle, or can climb on you if it’s their idea, then they may do that too. But they are prey animals, so any movement that seems like a predator – like chasing them, or hands that are shaped like claws – can trigger an ingrained escape response. I personally believe that binkies are a sign of fun and happiness, but the movements themselves are based on escaping predators by a sudden startling jump and quick change of direction. They play by practicing running and jumping with each other, or with you.

A bunny definitely likes to play chase sometimes. The best way is to invite him to chase you first, then turn and chase him, then switch again. If he isn’t in the mood, he’ll stare. If he is, he’ll chase you! Then the game is on.

I am not a fan of harnesses. That he tolerated it at first is great, but if he doesn’t like it now, again, don’t force him. It also can be a source of harm if pulled or entangled in a panic. he is training you to learn what he likes, so let him communicate to you his own preferences. You are clearly bonded well, and it sounds like you have a great relationship already.

[Moonlight_Wolf]

I find that a good way to bond with your bunny is to teach him some tricks, like teach him to spin, jump through hoops, even go over some jumps. It is fun for both the trainer and the bunny and it is a great way to stimulate your bunny. I have taught mine to spin, jump through hoops, beg, and “give me ten.”
Make sure to keep the training session short at first so your bunny does not get bored.

[Elrohwen]

I don’t think it’s realistic to hope for him to enjoy being picked it up and cuddled. Some bunnies do enjoy this, but most don’t and never will. Many that seem to enjoy it, are only putting up with it – it’s not fun for them. They much prefer being cuddled on the ground, on their own level.

Training tricks is a great way to bond! I noticed that it made my shy bunny far more outgoing, because it established a way we could communicate with one another.

My new favorite bunny toy is a treat dispensing ball I bought at PetCo (I found it in the cat toy section). It’s very simple – just a hollow ball with a roung hole at one end. It’s perfect for pellets (long ones work best, because they have to be in the right orientation to fall out) and pieces of dried fruit are a favorite. Both of my buns love to push the balls around and get treats out. It took them a few minutes to figure out how it worked, but now they love their treat balls. It’s definitely the most interactive toy I have (though my main interaction is retrieving the balls when they get pushed under the tv :-P)

[jerseygirl]

But then I had him fixed. And, I’m nearly positive, it was from that point on that he was not crazy about being held or picked up.

Did you have him neutered right around puberty? I’m guessing his aversion would be more from him being a teen bun and adult bun then being related to the neuter. I had one of my rabbits from a young age and still remember my friend holding her for over an hour. Then all of a sudden she wasn’t a baby anymore and became Miss Independent. Only time I can hold her for a long time now is when she’s unwell.

You can work with him to become better about being picked up by practicing short pick ups and rewarding him….BUT it may just mean he’ll become more tolerant. I doubt he’ll ever like it. Most rabbits don’t.

My other rabbit is hard to pick up and darts away when I try touch him. I got him when he was already 2. I’ve had him over a year now and have learnt the times when he’s happy for me to approach him. So in the evenings when he lounges out in the open is when i’m allowed to give him a massage. :o) It has SLOWLY gotten him more trusting of me in general.
 

For bonding I ditto the others. Thing like clicker training might help.

[doodlebut88]

Thanks, everyone, for your responses!

rabbitpam, I like the idea of letting HIM teach me what he likes. That’s a nice way of looking at it and I’m certainly open to that.

Elrohwen, I love that treat dispensing ball! I’ll have to see if I can find one. I think he’d really enjoy that.

[KatnipCrzy]

I have my bunnies out when I am watching TV at night and I will have a tiny bowl of cut up dried fruit and Craisins for them to feed to them by hand.  They have learned to jump up on the couch and beg for treats- they will tromp all over our laps and any sleeping cats to get to the fruit.  I cut up the pieces to make them smaller so they get more treats out of the same amt of dried fruit.  They often check back to make sure there are no more treats and will often chill out on the couch with us.  I have even been scrubbed by bunny tongues and had some awesome bunny cuddles- and they like it since they are coming to me on their own terms- even though they are just little beggars!

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