OneTwoThree wrote:
In my opinion and experience, rabbits shouldn't be disciplined, they simply wont understand why you're hitting them. Positive reinforcement works wonders,
IMO......I don't think I would recommend actually hitting or swatting a bun.
And I agree that in most cases positive reinforcement usually works, but there are some buns that just don't see it our way sometimes. They'll take the positive and get the understanding that they've won the battle.
I had two such buns.
Both were adopted at 4-6 months and were VERY cage/possessions aggressive.
One (Binky) would even chase after me and once bit me on the ankle to the bone. I had to wear heavy leather gloves to even feed her or change her litter pan.
Her nickname became "Chainsaw".
Nothing I tried worked with Binks. I was to the point of wanting to return her.
One of our more tenured members and founders of the forum (Buck Jones....RIP my friend) suggested trying a different approach.
"When she attacks, gently (but firmly) hold her head down and say 'NO!'in a commanding voice. You got to let her know that you're in charge and are the one calling the shots. Let her know you are 'The Big Kahuna'."
As much as I doubted that it would work, I decided to give it a try.
I was amazed that it actually worked. It took a lot of time and patience.
After she started to understand, I would also reward her if she behaved.
She never got to the point of being a cuddle-bun, but was converted from being an attack rabbit and would tolerate me messing with her stuff.
There are several members herethat have had to deal with aggressive buns, and different methods work for different buns.
And PLEASE understand....I'm not saying that Mindy's Blossum is one of these cases....and I would definitely try positive reinforcement first.
One of my first questions to Mindy would be,....Is Blossum spayed?
(I'm surprised nobody has asked that yet)
Some light reading from our Library....
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12319&forum_id=17