WHY DO i HAVE SUCH A NASTY BUNNY!

[Deleted User]

I want a nice bunny!!!!  Everyone else has BOO HOO!

My Luey is so unsociable, a bad tempered thing and this poor nice Mum is fed up!

He bites, lunges and growls no end …. he detests my daughter and growls at her all the time!  She will not go near him! 

Eerrrrrrrrrr tis not fair …. Grumble Grumble.   I need to vent!

Dawn xx

[Lisa_43]

I must be on here the same time as you.

 

I guess he is neutered?

I don’t know the answer to this but I do feel sorry for you.

I don’t know what I can do but if  you need any help just ask.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Lisa.

Yes, Luey has been fixed! 

I have spent so much time with him since I rescued him in April last year, but his behaviour is impulsive.  Some times he is ok, but most of the time its "dont come near me attitude".

Dawn xx

[Lisa_43]

I am sure you have looked on the internet for answers.

I have a couple of links that maybe helpful.

You said that he was a rescue, do you know his life story and if so was he maltreated?

 

 

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/newsletters/RabbitTracksFall2003.pdf

 

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-2/mean-rabbit.html

 

 

[Deleted User]

I understand the previous owners did not want him anymore because of his biting problems.  I have read up on a lot of websites and even posted here …  I think it is just the way Luey is … but it is so damn annoying.

Luey was taken to a breeder who had no need for him and I heard from a work colleague that he needed a good home.  So I took him in.  He has got such a good life with me … probably compared to his hutch life.

I will take a look at the websites you forwarded to me … Thanks a lot.

Dawn

[Gravehearted]

Dawn,

It’s very frustrating to put so much time and energy in and still feel like your bunny hates you My guess is similar to Lisa’s that he was mistreated or neglected in his past. It’s very sad for you all. If it gives you any hope – I know a rabbit who was pretty much a holy terror – he attacked EVERYONE. A year and a half later – he’s a changed bunny and likes to be pet, loved and doesn’t bite anymore. It took a lot of time, patience and careful daily handling. I’m really sorry that you’re having such a tough time of it – but hope you’ll not give up all hope.

[Lisa_43]

I would look at purchasing some good gloves so if he tries to bite you won’t get hurt.

Have you become scared of him? I can understand if you are, sometimes animals sense this and the problem becomes worse.

 

[Deleted User]

In the House Rabbit handbook, there was a story of a bun who was nasty, their solution was to meet his every lunge with petting and grooming. Every negative move was counteracted with a positive move on their part. It took a while but it worked. I agree with Lisa, if he senses that his aggressions get the response he wants, he will never get better.

Try using a baby brush or comb with a handle, and work your way closer. Get on the floor with him and don’t back down. Odds are if you don’t move, he will back down and if he does not, just try to work around the lunging, wearing jeans, a thick long sleeve shirt, just in case he nips.

I had to do this with my boyfriends german shepherd when we first started dating (talk about scared sh*tless) but it worked and he was my baby until the end. It will work with your guy. Don’t give up.

[Sarita]

I don’t think it’s you he hates. I have a rabbit who does this too and I think it’s just a reaction. My rabbit was a stray that one of my adopters found – he was like that with them too. He scares me when he lunges at me. I would like to eventually get him into an x-pen and I hope that will help.

Bunzai has some good ideas.

[babybunsmum]

oh dear! dawn, that sounds so frustrating    glad you found a place to vent… and get some good advice too… because it sure sounds like you’re really caring a lot for luey.  he’s very lucky to have you.  hope all your patience slowly shows some reward soon!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I always think that maybe they need more time to know how good you are…Where does the bunny live in your house? Any chance you could put bunny in a room where you usually are, and just talk to her alot, maybe this will speed things up, her learning you are a good person? So frustrating

Another thing, not sure if you want to look into this, but some bunnies aren’t completely fixed when fixed. Like they were only partially spayed/neutered, due to a vet error. Any chance your vet could look into this?

[Scarlet_Rose]

Hi Dawn! Oh my I feel very bad for you!  Something to try with this spunky fella is get some gloves (if needed) and place your hand atop his head and gently press it down in a submissive position and talk to him gently.  My guess is that he was mistreated quite a bit and just learned that everyone and everything is "out to get him."  Be persistent with it and also try to confine him to a pen, or do you already? This way he cannot play chase and nip and growl and if he does, put him right back in his enclosure, his ego is getting too big and he will continue to terrorize you.  Luey you silly fella your mum loves ya!

[kittsbuns]

Dawn my ziggy was a rescue and lunged at me and tryed to bite to. Finally I put him in my bedroom with me and layed in the floor still and let him come and climb on me without trying to touch him for about a week. It took time but he came around now he gets in bed with me every nite.

[Lagomorpheus]

Good luck to you Dawn, I wish you the best. You deserve some bunny love for your efforts with this lucky fella!

[Deleted User]

Thanks ladies for all your advice and support.

Luey is in the dining room and he can see myself and Pearl all the time … He is out about 4-5 hours a night in the loungeroom area … either myself or daughter are always in there with him.  He will come to me as I do sit on the beanbag .. sometimes he will come over for a nose poke, sit by my feet with his back to me or on occasions he has jumped up on my lap for a pet.  He gets plenty of attention and lots of love.  Other than that he has his own pen area which is ample size.

His behaviour is erratic … sometimes he is ok but other times he is a little shoot!  The times he is being awkward I put him away and then he will throw a ‘wally’ in his pen. 

I believe he was neglected by his previous owners in one way or another … either no interaction or teased, however, I can’t really speculate on that too much.

I am not afraid of him and will not be intimidated by his biting and lunging (even though I used to be particularly after some nasty bites) … but still am wary of his movements of course.   I have all sorts of armour to defend myself (gloves etc) and have read up on the websites about the "biting bunnies".

I can only assume with lots of time and patience he will get better … and if its some consolation to myself … he is not half as bad as he used to be.  He is my ‘special’ guy and I believe he needs a nice home where he feels safe and not threatened. 

This has been a trying time for me. I have so much more patience with not only Luey but generally in my life … so we will see how things progress.  Hopefully better.

Dawn xx

 

[MooBunnay]

You’ve done great work with Luey so far – I know its difficult, but it is great that you are giving a chance to a bunny that really had none at all. Its rare for someone to put up with a bunny that a has some behavioral problems, but they are probably the bunnies that need love the most of all! I’ve probably told you this before, but we have a tough-bun turned cuddle bun in our house and it just takes the time and patience that you mentioned. I also think that often animals like Luey are the ones that we learn the most from. I am very sure that one day you and Luey will reach a turning point and he will learn that you are not going to hurt him or dump him like his past owners.

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