RO STAFF 2
Well-Known Member
Also see:
Aggression
Communication and Language
What is it?
From Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html
One of the most common misconceptions people have about rabbits is that they like to be held and cuddled. This is probably because they look like plush toys. Unfortunately, many people buy rabbits without realizing the true nature of rabbits, and that's one of the main reason these lovely, intelligent creatures are "dumped" shortly after they reach sexual maturity and begin to assert their strong personalities.
You are distressed that the bunny does not like to be held. Consider for a moment, however, the natural history of the rabbit. This is a ground-dwelling animal that is a prey item for many predators. It is completely against the nature of the rabbit to be held far above the ground where it cannot control its own motions and activities. When you force her to be held against her will, you reinforce her instinctive notion that you are a predator who is trying to restrain her. Holding her while she struggles and kicks is not only dangerous for you and the children (You may have noticed her sharp claws by now!), but also for the rabbit. I wish I didn't know how many young rabbits come into our vet's office with broken legs, necks and spines because people insisted on carrying them around and handling them against their will. If you love your bunny, you won't do this.
********************************************************************
Most rabbits are naturally shy. It is up to you, the flexible human, to compromise and alter your behavior so that the bunny understands that you are a friend.
Following are a few steps you can take to win your shy rabbit's trust.
1. You and bunny should be together in a private, quiet room. No other pets. No distractions.
2. Have a little treat, such as a carrot or a tiny piece of apple, banana or a little pinch of oats in your hand. (These foods are only for small treats! Rabbits fed a diet with too much digestible carbohydrate are excellent candidates for serious gastrointestinal disorders!)
3. Lie on your tummy on the floor and let the bunny out of his "safe haven" (hutch). It's quite crucial that this hutch have a door that is accessible to the rabbit so that you don't have to lift him when you take him out or put him back in. The bunny should have absolute freedom to choose when he comes out. Don't force the issue. The bunny's natural curiosity will bring him to you.
4. Don't expect your bunny to approach you right away. Remain quiet and patient, even if it takes an hour or more. Rabbits are naturally curious, and eventually, he will come over to sniff you.
5. Resist the temptation to reach out and pat the bunny. Instead, let him sniff you, hop on you and just get to know your smell. This will teach him that you are not a threat.
6. If the bunny finds the treat you have, hold it while he nibbles.
7. Do this every day. Gradually, you can start to touch the bunny by giving him a gentle "scritch" on the forehead (bunnies love this!). Never force anything, and never chase the bunny. This will only undo all the patient sitting you have done to gain his trust. A rabbit does not generally like to play "chase" with an animal that is thirty times his size. It is simply not natural behavior for him, and it is not a sign of low intelligence!
8. As the bunny gradually becomes less shy, you can become more familiar with him, stroking his back, letting him lie with his side pressed against your arm...whatever feels comfortable and natural to both of you. Many rabbits seem to find a face less threatening than a hand. Your bunny may gladly allow you to give him a warm "nose nuzzle" (especially if you hum very low and soft; this is the way rabbits sometimes communicate among themselves), even if he won't let your hand come close.
9. Once the bunny learns that you are a friend, he will bond very strongly to you. It's important to have him neutered (or her spayed, if it's a girl) once s/he reaches sexual maturity, because otherwise s/he'll want to make love to everything, including you--whatever appendages happen to be within reach. Spay/neuter will stop this behavior, and it will eliminate the very real risk of reproductive tract cancers in females. Spay/neuter will also make litterbox training easier and more reliable. Be sure you have this done by a veterinarian who is very experienced with rabbits!
Articles
Listings in Rabbit References: Understanding Aggressive or Shy Bunnies
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#aggbun
Listings in Rabbit References: Behavior
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#behavior
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.htmlRO Forums Threads
Shy Rabbit (RO members)
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=5736&forum_id=1
Rabbit Personality Question!
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11011&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
Greeting To All
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12152&forum_id=1
Working on Behavior
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=9463&forum_id=1
Nervous Bunny
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=10520&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
How To Get Rabbit Out Of The Cage?
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=1852&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
Aggression
Communication and Language
What is it?
From Dana Krempels, Ph.D.
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html
One of the most common misconceptions people have about rabbits is that they like to be held and cuddled. This is probably because they look like plush toys. Unfortunately, many people buy rabbits without realizing the true nature of rabbits, and that's one of the main reason these lovely, intelligent creatures are "dumped" shortly after they reach sexual maturity and begin to assert their strong personalities.
You are distressed that the bunny does not like to be held. Consider for a moment, however, the natural history of the rabbit. This is a ground-dwelling animal that is a prey item for many predators. It is completely against the nature of the rabbit to be held far above the ground where it cannot control its own motions and activities. When you force her to be held against her will, you reinforce her instinctive notion that you are a predator who is trying to restrain her. Holding her while she struggles and kicks is not only dangerous for you and the children (You may have noticed her sharp claws by now!), but also for the rabbit. I wish I didn't know how many young rabbits come into our vet's office with broken legs, necks and spines because people insisted on carrying them around and handling them against their will. If you love your bunny, you won't do this.
********************************************************************
Most rabbits are naturally shy. It is up to you, the flexible human, to compromise and alter your behavior so that the bunny understands that you are a friend.
Following are a few steps you can take to win your shy rabbit's trust.
1. You and bunny should be together in a private, quiet room. No other pets. No distractions.
2. Have a little treat, such as a carrot or a tiny piece of apple, banana or a little pinch of oats in your hand. (These foods are only for small treats! Rabbits fed a diet with too much digestible carbohydrate are excellent candidates for serious gastrointestinal disorders!)
3. Lie on your tummy on the floor and let the bunny out of his "safe haven" (hutch). It's quite crucial that this hutch have a door that is accessible to the rabbit so that you don't have to lift him when you take him out or put him back in. The bunny should have absolute freedom to choose when he comes out. Don't force the issue. The bunny's natural curiosity will bring him to you.
4. Don't expect your bunny to approach you right away. Remain quiet and patient, even if it takes an hour or more. Rabbits are naturally curious, and eventually, he will come over to sniff you.
5. Resist the temptation to reach out and pat the bunny. Instead, let him sniff you, hop on you and just get to know your smell. This will teach him that you are not a threat.
6. If the bunny finds the treat you have, hold it while he nibbles.
7. Do this every day. Gradually, you can start to touch the bunny by giving him a gentle "scritch" on the forehead (bunnies love this!). Never force anything, and never chase the bunny. This will only undo all the patient sitting you have done to gain his trust. A rabbit does not generally like to play "chase" with an animal that is thirty times his size. It is simply not natural behavior for him, and it is not a sign of low intelligence!
8. As the bunny gradually becomes less shy, you can become more familiar with him, stroking his back, letting him lie with his side pressed against your arm...whatever feels comfortable and natural to both of you. Many rabbits seem to find a face less threatening than a hand. Your bunny may gladly allow you to give him a warm "nose nuzzle" (especially if you hum very low and soft; this is the way rabbits sometimes communicate among themselves), even if he won't let your hand come close.
9. Once the bunny learns that you are a friend, he will bond very strongly to you. It's important to have him neutered (or her spayed, if it's a girl) once s/he reaches sexual maturity, because otherwise s/he'll want to make love to everything, including you--whatever appendages happen to be within reach. Spay/neuter will stop this behavior, and it will eliminate the very real risk of reproductive tract cancers in females. Spay/neuter will also make litterbox training easier and more reliable. Be sure you have this done by a veterinarian who is very experienced with rabbits!
Articles
Listings in Rabbit References: Understanding Aggressive or Shy Bunnies
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#aggbun
Listings in Rabbit References: Behavior
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabcare.html#behavior
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.htmlRO Forums Threads
Shy Rabbit (RO members)
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=5736&forum_id=1
Rabbit Personality Question!
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=11011&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
Greeting To All
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12152&forum_id=1
Working on Behavior
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=9463&forum_id=1
Nervous Bunny
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=10520&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
How To Get Rabbit Out Of The Cage?
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=1852&forum_id=1&highlight=shy
