SteviesMom
Well-Known Member
Hello everyone!
My name is Skyler and I have a male Holland Lop who is 15 months old. Here's a little background on him.
I got him as a baby, had him neutered at 6 months and discovered he is deaf not too long ago. He is generally a very sweet rabbit. Good litter habits, will wear a harness to go on walks, loves pets, and tolerates being held pretty well. He has free range of my room 24 hours a day, with his own cage (to feel secure) and a maze haven for playing in.
Lately though, Stevie has been lunging and nipping. I'm not sure if he is doing this aggressively or just asking for attention. Could he be doing this because of a territorial issue. Is allowing him total free range of my room a bad idea? Maybe keeping him in a gated area while I'm gone and allowing him out while I'm home would help? Either way, it's kind of scary and painful and I would like it to stop.
Normally one would say "ouch" or squeak to inform their rabbit that the nip hurts. My rabbit can't hear so this won't work for us. I have tried gently holding the scruff of his neck and pushing down gently, but this doesn't seem to have much affect.
I read that hitting the ground (like a rabbit would thump), may be another option. What do you all think of this? I don't want to scare him or think I'm reciprocating his aggression.
If anyone has any advice or thoughts, please let us know
Also, bonus question, is there any way to train him in agility or tricks without using a clicker method? I think he would like the attention and stimulation.
Thanks again!
My name is Skyler and I have a male Holland Lop who is 15 months old. Here's a little background on him.
I got him as a baby, had him neutered at 6 months and discovered he is deaf not too long ago. He is generally a very sweet rabbit. Good litter habits, will wear a harness to go on walks, loves pets, and tolerates being held pretty well. He has free range of my room 24 hours a day, with his own cage (to feel secure) and a maze haven for playing in.
Lately though, Stevie has been lunging and nipping. I'm not sure if he is doing this aggressively or just asking for attention. Could he be doing this because of a territorial issue. Is allowing him total free range of my room a bad idea? Maybe keeping him in a gated area while I'm gone and allowing him out while I'm home would help? Either way, it's kind of scary and painful and I would like it to stop.
Normally one would say "ouch" or squeak to inform their rabbit that the nip hurts. My rabbit can't hear so this won't work for us. I have tried gently holding the scruff of his neck and pushing down gently, but this doesn't seem to have much affect.
I read that hitting the ground (like a rabbit would thump), may be another option. What do you all think of this? I don't want to scare him or think I'm reciprocating his aggression.
If anyone has any advice or thoughts, please let us know
Also, bonus question, is there any way to train him in agility or tricks without using a clicker method? I think he would like the attention and stimulation.
Thanks again!