usual sweet angel benji has been misbehaving A LOT

[benjibunn]

benji is just over two years old. we got him fixed a long time ago so it’s unrelated. he has a good size cage and a yard attached but lately we haven’t been able to let him out for long periods of time because he’s been misbehaving. first it was scratching and biting at bars, (we have a sheet over foam squared to protect his paws) biting at the sheet and pulling at it (we clip it outside his cage so it wont wrinkle but it does at times) and today — i realized he had been running around downstairs and so he had managed to escape and then i got him back which led to pulling at the sheet. i put him in the cage part but i dont know what’s causing this. i cried so much to think he couldve gotten hurt but he just asked for treats.
usually he’s fine and i dont know what this is.
my mum and sisters give him lots of attention and treats when hes good or when we clean his cage.
i really just want benji to be safe and happy

[Zula]

That sounds like a real problem. He might be chewing out of boredom or because he wants to let you know he’s hungry. If he’s used to being out a lot and then suddenly he doesn’t get to, he can get bored. Another reason could be if he’s mainly eating pellets because he needs hay and toys to wear his teeth down. If these aren’t the problem, then try things to see what’s causing the biting and scratching. You’re doing the right thing if you’re putting him in his cage directly after he starts misbehaving, as that will train him and show him that he doesn’t get nice things if he’s being bad. As for him getting out, make sure you put him directly back in his cage to show him that he doesn’t get hugs and playtime if he escapes. You don’t have to put him in his cage for long, probably just an hour. I know it sounds a little mean but it will most likely help in the long run.

[DanaNM]

Hi there, welcome

A bit more info will help us figure out how to improve his behavior. Overall he sounds like he’s bored, so needs more exercise and activity, not less.

Can you clarify what you mean by misbehaving? Do you mean he’s scratching and biting at the bars of his cage when he’s inside it?

Can you also describe more how much space he has, and if he ever gets time to free-roam? If he’s used to getting some free-roam time, but isn’t, that is probably making him bored and frustrated. Some bunnies also compulsively dig or scratch at the corner of their cages… but I wouldn’t really classify it as misbehaving, because it isn’t destructive necessarily. One of my buns will dig in the corner of his cage (on tile, so he isn’t going anywhere….), even when he has free-roam. I think it was something he learned from a previous owner when he might have been confined to a cage too much? Not sure.

It sounds like he is wanting to be let out to run around. If that’s the case, leaving him locked up in his cage more will make him more frustrated. Rabbits don’t really understand punishment. You may just need to reinforce his pen so he can’t escape (even if he tries very hard).

Rabbits usually do well with a routine, that involves giving them exercise when they are most active (morning, evenings, night time), and lots of things to chew on to keep them busy.

My friend is a dog trainer and walker, and he always says, “a tired dog is a happy dog”, and I think the same thing applies for bunnies (and probably all pets…). Of course people don’t want to reward negative behaviors, so you have to try get ahead of the game and give more exercise before he starts acting up.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Dasher]

I think your bunny is bored and letting him out more will relieve him of his frustration of being in his cage. Bunnies don’t really understand good behavior and bad behavior. It’s just bunny instincts. They are meant to dig and bite and escape it’s just natural. Now what you can do is give him alternatives. You can put cardboard on the bars or give him some chew toys. Some bunnies like to shred phone books. Find ways to keep him occupied if you can’t let him out but it sounds like he wants to get out and exercise.

[LittlePuffyTail]

One of my buns will dig in the corner of his cage (on tile, so he isn’t going anywhere….), even when he has free-roam. I think it was something he learned from a previous owner when he might have been confined to a cage too much? Not sure.

That certainly makes sense. We all know how similar horses and bunnies are and this can happen to horses. This is a sad thing to see happen to a horse, either show horses or just neglected horses who are kept in stalls sometimes 24/7 can develop repeated behaviors such as chewing wood while sucking air and weaving from side to side constantly. This usually becomes lifelong behaviour, even when their situation improves. The more you know, lol….

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