He won't wear his harness?

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SomeBunnyToLove

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I have a 10 mo. old bunny, his name is Splinter. He's a defiant little one, but very energetic. I want to take him outside for a walk or something of that sort, but I would really rather him not running away or something happening to him. I've tried multiple times to get him to even just wear his harness, and he will bite and scratch me to get it off. He's generally very well mannered, and doesn't bite me often at all. I need help? I've tried enticing him with treats, putting it on him when he's tired, etc. and none of it works!!
 
Felix does the same thing - won't have any of it.

In the end, I gave up. I'm considering trying again soon since it's been months, but don't feel bad, it's not just Splinter. Lots of bunnies will fight and fight to not wear a harness.
 
You have to take into consideration that rabbits are a prey animal - being restrained in a harness is mentally uncomfortable for them, and probably physically. I've only ever walked my old rabbit on a harness as he was tolerant of being handled by me, having it around him loose at first to get used to it and then with the lead attached. One time I had him out with my friends in the front garden, and he was spooked by something and ran, breaking his harness (which was specifically made for rabbits, and Clymo was only a small ND cross) and darting down a nearby ditch. Thankfully he got stuck in some dried grass and a friend of my brother's grabbed him for me - past this ditch is miles and miles and miles of fields, so I'd have never seen him again if it wasn't for my friend's help and the dried grass blocking his way. That was the last time he wore it, and I only ever put a lead/harness on him again when he was much older and not as active. We sat by that ditch after having a walk around the block, and he came up to me after a few minutes and started nuzzling and scratching at my arm as if to say 'take me back home!' lol!

My advice is simply do not stress him out. He doesn't need to be on a lead/harness, he doesn't need to be walked, and it could end in heartbreak for you if you lose him. If you have a garden, buy or make him a lovely large run, or just let him have a safe place to run around inside. It's really not worth the risk.
 

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