What’s this mean…?

[3crazybuns]

 I’ve been spending alot of time with Oreo in the kitchen ever since I got him. He always liked to be petted, but he’s a very nervous bunny, ( I fear he was abused) Anyway, alot of time I would lay flat on my belly, and just be still, eventually (about 3 days he would come around and sniff me, and then run off again, well yesterday night, and tonight he came up, sniffed my face, and then he tucked his head under my chin. He’s also been coming up and giving me “eskimo kisses” too. What does this mean, I’m not very good at “bunny lingo”

 

Also, he loves having his head scratched, and his ears rubbed, but anytime I try to pet his back he flinches, and then freezes like I’m going to hit him. (which I NEVER EVER WOULD) could this be a sign he was physically abused?  

 

[skibunny8503]

He might have been abused…  I know there’s a scared bunny at the shelter in PA and the girl said they’re working with him because he is so scared of humans, espeically when they come up by his neck.  She said that he might have been abused and/or picked up by the scruff of his neck (which isn’t good to do at all).  So maybe that’s it.  Our foster bun was afraid of us when we first got her (she’s just a baby) but she’s slowly coming around and not hiding as much.  Give it time, he’ll come around.  The kisses are definately a good sign IMO. 

[jerseygirl]

I think the eskimo kisses are a hello. The head under your chin could be just snuggling or a request for you to “groom” / pet him. I notice with Rumball that he stiffens up when I pet his neck – but then relaxes as I continue. Nose to tail, nose to tail… I think this is because he thinks I’m about to pick him up. If Oreo has a strong adversion to being picked up, this could be why he stresses then. Often they could have been picked up by the scruff (not good) or the shoulders pinned down before scooping them up(sometimes necessary and effective.)

Have you checked out this site?  language.rabbitspeak.com/rabbittalk.html    It’s very good for understading bunny lingo.

[RabbitPam]

I agree that he is asking for you to groom him. And the eskimo kisses are an invitation as well. He’s getting close to you on his own terms which is great. If he seems nervous when you reach for him right when he does that, try showing him your hand palm up on the floor next to him, fingers closed (so not to resemble a claw) and start to pet his head between the ears and eyes. Then as jersey said, nose to tail in a long swooping pet. Make nice soft cooing baby talk to him to relax him as well. He clearly thinks you’re nice and worth snuggling up to.

[bunnytowne]

wow what good advice  your bunny sounds sweet.  It is so neat when they come up and give the nose bump and please pet me’s

It means he is starting to accept you and get to know you.   Also have you offered him a treat when he comes to you?

[wendyzski]

I adopted Pepper when she was about  a year and a half old – she hadn’t really been abused but was dumped and then spent a long time in the shelter system.  It was almost another year before she would accept pets on the head and now 2 years later she STILL freaks out if I go past her shoulders.  Sometimes I can do a few of those long nose-to-tail pets but only if she’s already stoned on head-pets.

[Elrohwen]

Sometimes Otto flinches and freezes when I go to pet his head without warning (though he loves being petted on his back) and I know he wasn’t abused. So he could just be sensitive in that area? If I pet him on his head for a few seconds he kind of adjusts to it and relaxes, but there’s almost always that slight flinch when I first go for his head. It sounds like you’re doing a great job of gaining his trust! Does he take treats from your hand? I’m finding that to be the best bonding motivation for my new bunny

And I love getting eskimo kisses  

[3crazybuns]

 Hey Everyone,

Sorry, I haven’t been on and responding to everyone, I had family in for the weekend, so I haven’t been on the computer at all. Sorry about that!

Anyway, I took the idea of petting him from head to toe, and really seems to be helping, I give him a few raisins every time so I think he’s starting to understand that petting is a good thing. He will take treats from my hands, and sometime I sit with him and actually hand feed him his dinner, he seems to really like it. Thank you everyone for your help, and stories. Oreo has come quite a long way in the month that we’ve had him. (Fingers crossed for a neuter appointment this week!!! 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

*fingers crossed* Great work!!

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