golly gee, i guess i’ve been lucky w/my bunz.
i have 4 of my own and i hold & cuddle each of them several times a day. i have one who is special needs and is also especially lovie, so he gets lots of holding time. i often pick up someone and have them sit in my lap while i am checking email etc. every time i go by their pen i give pets to every one.
i think repetition is the key. also, treats while holding or just after holding might help, altho i never had to do that w/my guys. i just pick them up and cuddle them, they often like football hold better, feel more secure i think. tuck the butt under your elbow and your arm supports the body, hand & fingers around the chest & arms. i talk softly to them, make shush-y sounds. i also hold them very firmly & securely, but gently. and continually petting the head front to back, continually. i think that is one of the secrets.
mostly, i pretty much feel that i am the boss and i snuggle, hold, pick up whomever i want and they just have to go along! all my bunz love it anyway. but i think the human’s confidence gives them security.
with my fosters, especially babies, i also cuddle them a lot. whether they like it or not! ha ha, but they always like it. since i am very active in rabbit rescue, i will get rabbits in who are stressed and frightened. usually the first night i give them their food & soft bed, let them settle in. after that, it’s lovie time. i *always* talk to them, approach them from the side so they can see my hand and pet their heads first to let them know they are safe. then they get held. maybe just a few minutes at first, gradually increasing the time. i’ve never had a bun who didn’t end up loving to cuddle. except for one, but she only has one eye and i think that picking her up makes her dizzy so she mostly gets loved while her feet are on the ground. but lately she’s been okay with my picking her up for very short periods of time, i just don’t insist on it like i do with everyone else since i do think she has a physical reaction to it.
they don’t like their legs dangling, until they have learned to trust. picking up bunz i don’t know, i hold them under the chest and under the butt, bring them quickly to my chest and keep them held firmly w/my arm. and pet the head, pet the head, pet the head. i’ve never had a problem with any bun, altho i have gotten a few scratches here & there.
that being said, there are a few bunz who simply will not tolerate having their feet off the ground. so be it. just have to get down next to them and give them their lovies that way, eh?! the most important thing is to make sure the bunz know they are very much loved and are safe forever. 😎