Bunny Bullying

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rew

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My bunny is use to being handled. he came from a breeder who could handle him no problem. And when he was in boarding with an ex-breeder she was handling him and picking him up without an issue (she did this in front of me before I got him back just to show me that everything was ok with him).

Now that I have him, he struggles every time! I know he isn't scared coz he runs to a corner, looks at me disapprovingly then either flops down to sleep or goes about grooming himself. When I go up to pet him he's all ready to be loved. How do I stop my bunny from basically bullying me into not picking him up? I have to cut his nails :help

When he was sick with GI stasis he would come up to me and when I picked him up then he almost liked it, like he would nuzzle in for more cuddles.

Oh and I tried the bunny burrito...my lokki doesn't get tranced...he skips right out of there.:bunnybutt:

Lastly I don't pick him up too high, I'm always sitting on the ground.

I think he just knows that he can get away with it coz I get worried and I guess I'm still not too confident about picking him up since he struggles. Can he sense that I'm not as sure as other people who've picked him up? I just don't like seeing him struggle, it breaks my heart, even though I know it's normal for them to not want to be picked up :boohoo:
 
Be confident in picking him up, rabbits can sense when you aren't comfortable. I would work on small things like lifting him in your lap, and moving him to one spot to another, once your comfortable with that try picking him up higher. I know the #1 thing I usually help people with is letting the rabbit cuddle. Some rabbits are more comfortable being on your shoulder or under your chin. Make sure you let your rabbit get situated on you before moving.


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It's getting him there that's the problem. I pat him to get him nice and calm, which he likes, but the moment he feel both my hands on either side of him, he bolts :(

When I do get him under my chin, or on my lap he's fine. He doesn't struggle and sometimes he closes his eyes and looks like he's fairly comfortable, so I don't really know why he struggles so much when he doesn't mind it afterwards...
 
Do you pick up with a hand under the belly and one under the rump? That usually helps a bun feel more secure when you are lifting them.

When going to pick him up, instead of your hands on each side of him, try putting one hand over the head/shoulder area, to kind of help him hold still, then place your other hand behind his rump. Then slide the hand over his shoulders to under his belly and lift right to your body. This method seems to work for some of my more wiggly buns.
 
Last edited:
Hi everyone

This really isn't working. Idk what I'm doing wrong. the moment my hand tries to slip under him he bolts :( Any tips on getting him to calm down and trust me?

Thanks
 
How was the breeder picking him up? Mimic what she did. You have to be firm and quick . Maybe you could go back to her and get some pointers?


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He was ok when I got him from the breeder. He wouldn't like it but he'd give in. He's been alright until I just recently. He spent 4 months with at boarding with an ex-breeder and I know she picks him up the same way I do.

it's been 3 weeks and I either can get him into my arms quick enough or if I do he still struggles. I try not do practice with him more than once or twice a week coz I don't want him to associate me with being picked up. He's alright with me otherwise.

But right now I really do need to get him into my arms and quick coz I need to clean him :( So I don't know if I should try more often.

He never use to be so skittish. I think he picked it from from some of the other animals he was living with at the time.

Any help would be much appreciated. I can't handle him trying to struggle so much coz it literally breaks my heart.


I have tried picking him up like a baby and putting one hand under the belly and one under butt. With the first one he runs off. With the second one, he goes down into a bunny loaf and I can't get my hand under his belly. Help please
 
Be confident in picking him up, rabbits can sense when you aren't comfortable. I would work on small things like lifting him in your lap, and moving him to one spot to another, once your comfortable with that try picking him up higher. I know the #1 thing I usually help people with is letting the rabbit cuddle. Some rabbits are more comfortable being on your shoulder or under your chin. Make sure you let your rabbit get situated on you before moving.


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Hi! I noticed you breed Holland lops! I just recently got one, Natalie and she seems to have an issue with me picking her up also. I can usually get her up, but then she starts struggling and I get scared to drop her! Any advice how to get her to bond with me ?
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