what does my bunny mean when he does this

[Cuckoo]

so i tried to spent a good amount of time with my bunny. Everytime I walk pass him, he’ll lay really low. I’ve read that means, he’s demanding a nose rub. And usually I do give him a quick rub.

But when I hold him and pet him, he’s very relaxed and doesn’t move much. Sometimes he even licks me a little.However, once I stop, he’ll turn around, and start digging plus nipping on my cloth (sometimes he’ll nip too deep and pinch me, it really hurts). I couldn’t find a way to make him stop doing that. I tried making a loud, agony sound and then tell him no. He’ll pause for a minute, then resumes his activity.

Any suggestions of this behavior?

 

Thanks

[RabbitPam]

LOL He’s training you to pet him and NEVER STOP. Except perhaps to get up to feed him but you’d better hurry back with that food.
Seriously, his licking is kissing you. He is very happy you pet him. Yes, flattening can mean “I’m ready for you to groom/pet me now.” also a good sign.
The digging and nipping means he wants more, but also that he is playing and exploring you and just doing bunny stuff.
He needs to learn to stop before nipping, so you need to communicate in bunny language. A loud sound is not as effective as you making a high pitched squeal. That is the noise a bunny in pain makes. Just squeak and he will stop.
You can’t punish a bunny. Ignoring a bunny is the most effective behavior for a negative response, and positive reinforcement of good behavior works extremely well too. So, if he is digging too much, or nipping, then playtime is over and he gets removed from your friendly lap. You just ignore him and go about your business. He will learn that if he comes back to you gently, maybe with kisses, that will get him pets again.

Also, if you are on the floor, turn your back on him if you’re both sitting. A bunny will turn away if he is displeased with you. A bunny fully turned is called giving you the Bunny Butt. That means “I am done with you” in bunny sign language. You do it to them, it drives them nuts. If you peak over your shoulder, it confirms that you definitely have given the butt and are checking to make sure he saw it. That’s what they do to us.

[Huckleberry]

HAHA Pam, that is true! It’s fun to be reminded of how bratty buns can be. I never thought of digging as being a form of playing, but it helps to digest what feels like aggression.

[Elrohwen]

Yep, Pam is right!

For some reason, bunnies love to dig and nip at clothes and they never seem to realize that tender skin is right under those clothes. Once Hannah nipped DH in the nipple while she was trying to pull at his shirt. LOL Usually when she does that, I make her get off my lap so she knows that she’s done something unacceptable.

[Cuckoo]

thanks guys, I tried the “off time” thing with my bunny…=( didn’t work. once on me, he goes wild digging, sometimes, when he gets so into the digging, he makes this noise sounds like hu hu?

I just don’t understand him…

[LittlePuffyTail]

Welcome to “Rabbittude”. Bindi does that too. “No…don’t stop petting me.” ***Diggy Diggy Diggy***

[Huckleberry]

Huckles does it a lot too. If I get up and get her a sprig of parsley she leaves me alone to mend my wounds for five minutes.

[Emmie]

Hahaha, this thread just reminded me of how funny Bunnies can be, and so temperamental and demanding!

I’m lucky that Thane has recently become VERY affectionate and now loves being petted and cradled in my arms. There was a time that was a complete no no. I just adore that they have such BIG personalities. I don’t think people know how individual these little guys are!

[Emmie]

Hahaha, this thread just reminded me of how funny Bunnies can be, and so temperamental and demanding!

I’m lucky that Thane has recently become VERY affectionate and now loves being petted and cradled in my arms. There was a time that was a complete no no. I just adore that they have such BIG personalities. I don’t think people know how individual these little guys are!

[Author]

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