Training Tips

[BelarusianBunny]

Has anyone dealt with a very aggressive rabbit?

What did you do to make the bun easier to handle?

My bun was neutered almost 4 months ago. Thankfully, he’s stopped mounting, spraying and such a long time ago.

However, his aggression and general bad mood have gotten much worse. He had to have a vet appointment (he jumped off the couch, landed weird, looked sore, took him in) and the vet told me that I better work on his handling. I pet him everyday and let him come up to explore me when he wants. He’s not afraid of people. I also approach him from the side and not the front.

He cannot be held at all and puts up s huge fight such as during his vet examination. I know rabbits don’t like being picked up/held but sometimes it is necessary. He voiced his displeasure with VERY loud grunts. The grunts and squeaks make me feel like a monster towards him. I’m very worried about clipping his nails. A vet tech tried to help me get him into a bunny burrito and it was absolutely impossible. How else can I complete this task?

He throws tantrums for no reason but many bunnies do that. Lots of tantrums when he is put into his hutch at night. But I can deal with that; just hope he doesn’t get hurt twisting about to throw things around.

Any ideas for training such a rabbit would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Can you call the vet who did the neuter and ask them to check the surgery notes to ensure he wasn’t a cryptid (or whatever it’s spelled like!) and they removed both testicles? Sometimes they only find and remove one (which seems super weird-like why wouldn’t they mention it…but it happens).

Did your vet run any tests when you went in for the exam? I feel like, from what you are describing, something medical is wrong-pain somewhere -could be bladder stones, or who knows. I would see if you can rule some things out first.

Other then that I would make sure he only gets his treats/veggies/pellets(anything good) while being handled. Look up counter-conditioning, and use those principles to make the unenjoyable=enjoyable using his favorite food

[BelarusianBunny]

Hi, 

Sorry for the long time to reply (lots going on here) but thank you for the reply.

I called the vet and asked like you mentioned if my bun had any other testicles.  I was informed no and that everything was as normal as can be.

Pain and illness has been ruled out.  Minus being a little overweight, Popple is in perfect health.  He just really hates. hates, hates being handled.  I’ll have to try counter-conditioning and see how that works out.  

I don’t know how true this is but a vet tech at the clinic told me that sometimes when animals get neutered, they develop anxiety problems.  (?!)  As in, they become more worried and jumpy.  That was the first I heard of such a thing.  My rabbit just seems always angry.

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