Why is my rabbit so unbothered?

[Teddy_291021]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>My 6 month old rabbit Sampson doesn’t respond to discipline. He completely chewed holes through his enclosure despite having plenty of toys and things to chew on and recently he’s started chewing some panels in his enclosure that work as an upper level he can jump up on to lay down. I have to pull plastic out of his mouth, he usually spits it out but i don’t want him eating any of it. I was told never to yell or scream at him, I’ve been trying not to. I tell him firmly and loudly but not yelling “Sampson, no”, that has no effect, it’s like he doesn’t even hear me. So, i say it a little louder, still nothing. Then a little louder to where it’s a yell, still nothing. I try just saying his name, nothing. Then i just try telling him no, again nothing. He stops for a second to look up but then a second later he’s back at it but most of the time he doesn’t even stop to do that. I even tried clapping my hands a few times but he didn’t care at all. My mother suggested i squirt him with water but i absolutely will not do that. I was told rabbits can’t tolerate yelling in any form and they’ll be scared and terrified, why does this not seem to be the same for Sampson? I’ve seen him when he’s actually scared which is only when I took him to the vet and when i need to pick him up but he calms down quickly. I expected a fragile skittish animal because thats what everyone said rabbits are but Sampson is not that at all. Can some rabbits just be a little different? Am i terrible for yelling at him at all?</p>

[Bam]

Rabbits dont respond well to dicipline. You might teach your bun that he cant chew on particular items when you are present, but he’d still chew them when you’re not there. I dont think screaming or yelling would help. Yelling will more likely cause him to avoid you. Its a lot better for your relationship that he doesnt see you as hostile or scary.

With buns you need to remove or block off access to stuff that the bun shouldnt get into. You can also try to redirect his agtention to stuff that je is actually allowed to chew. Young rabbits are a lot more prone to destructive behavior (aka bunstruction), so it’s great if you can  provide your bun with stuff thats ok for him to chew- like cardboard houses and twigs from f ex apple trees or willow.  Blankets that he can dig in are often appreciated.

[DanaNM]

I agree, rabbits do not respond to negative reinforcement. All it will do is harm your relationship with your bunny. Some bunnies just react differently to things as well, just like humans and other animals. Some of my bunnies are really startled by slight noises, and the other ones don’t react at all. I think it’s just natural personality variation.

You need to improve your bunny proofing (and his housing), and redirect him to safe things to chew. You might also incorporate some positive reinforcement training, and instead of telling him what not to do, you can use an “interrupter” cue, and then a command to do something else. Clicker training works really well for bunnies. For example, if you bun is getting into trouble, you can train him to come to you on command and “target”. I use this technique a lot with my trouble-maker bun Cooper. He comes running when he hears a kissy noise (usually I make this noise when I give a treat), so often I will call him to me to distract him from what he’s doing, rather than going over and trying to shoo him away from the problem.

What is the main thing he tries to chew? maybe we can give some suggestions for alternatives? I use NIC metal grid panels in my rabbit’s pens because they are chew-proof, so many you can just swap out the plastic panels with metal grids?

. . . 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.  

[LBJ10]

Rabbits can learn what “no” means, but I agree that it just teaches them not to do whatever it is while you are present. It won’t really prevent them from engaging in the unwanted behavior when you’re not around. Bunny-proofing, redirection and clicker training may prove more effective.

As a side note – Perhaps you should reconsider what his enclosure is made of. Something chew proof would probably be better.

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