I think my rabbits like me!

[MaddysRabbits]

I got my rabbits on December 7, 2010.
I just read a thread about bonding with your rabbit and what signs your rabbit will give if they love you or feel safe/comfortable. I must have some pretty amazing rabbits, because--wow a police just drove by my house & I have "gangster" neighbors xD Hmmm-- ever since the first month my rabbits (especially sophia) have always let me pet them. but recently there have been more signs! Sophia was having free floor time and she did a Bunny Flop! I was in the room, and she was hopping around exploring and did a bunny flop and layed for for about 5 minutes, she didn't even get up when I stood up and walked torwards her. Another sign from Talia is when she was having free floor time I was sitting down in the hallways and she was in the living room, she hopped over to me and was just climbing all over me and nibbling my sweatshirt a little and when i set her down somewhere else she hopped right back to where i was! Has anyone else gotten a rabbit where they just immidietly trusted/bonded with you without you doing any bonding tricks?

PS, my rabbits are 5 years old and my cousin had them, they were very good owners to them but they have to move and can't take the rabbits. Could my cousin taken such good care of them that they just trust all people?

 

[elrohwen]

I think some rabbits are friendlier than others right away. Lucky you to have such friendly ones!

My two are very different. Otto has never been nervous around us and has no problem flopping out in the middle of any room, but he's never liked to be petted and doesn't trust us to touch him most of the time. Still, he's happy to be around us and climb on us, so that's all I expect of him.

When we got Hannah she was nervous and kept an eye on us, and she is still high strung, but she immediately loved to be petted and was very curious about what we were doing.

Early care definitely has an impact on the behavior, but I think a lot of rabbit personalities come down to genes. We have always spoiled Otto and treated him extremely well, but he still hates to be petted - it's just his nature. I've known other rabbits who were homeless and out on the streets, terrified, but as soon as they came to the shelter they were complete love bugs and wanted nothing more than to be around people.

 

[tamsin]

I think socialisation (positive contact with people) plays a big part in how rabbits behave in general. It sounds like your cousins did a great job setting your buns up as happy outgoing rabbits. However, rabbits can tell people apart so you should take some credit too, you've obviously been welcomed in to their social group so they must like you specifically too and feel comfortable in the environment you provide

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We rescued Serena from a shelter and she was starving, but just the absolute most affectionate rabbit we've ever seen. When we had her neutered, i began to worry as I hadn't gotten my call to come get her. So, I made the call and the tech told me she was still groggy. When I asked for clarification, she told me, "she's been on my lap for two hour with me rubbing her and she hasn't moved a bit". I told her to sit her on the floor for a minute and she told us "you're right, come get her". She will lay on you for hours and comes over and wants to be rubbed indefinitely. She's a Checkered Giant and climb up on you and lay down--17 pounds of bunny is hard to ignore.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Larry, that is too funny! I guess they never knew bunnies could be such love hogs. My mini lop will sit on my lap and watch tv forever. This weekend I was recovering from a procedure so I had to sit still. She watched tv for 5 hours before she finally hopped down. She went back to her room for the litter box and returned for more snuggles.