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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How much time should I spend?

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    • Matthew
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        As a few of you know, I just got precious little Penny yesterday! While she has been much more adventurous today, she’s still very shy about me going near her, which I expected to be the case, anyway. I don’t believe she has not had much contact with people in all of her 10-11 weeks.

         My question is, how much time should I spend down on the floor on her level, and what kinds of things should I do? I played a bit of hide and seek with her this morning, and piqued her curiosity to the point of her *almost* coming to sniff around my face. She came within a few inches, anyway! I’m still not sure what treats she’d really like for a little coaxing, cucumbers are about the only one I’ve tried so far, and she likes them enough, I suppose. Basically, what’s the best way for me to go about earning her trust? I do understand it’s still quite early, and she’ll need a bit more time fully adjusting!


      • Kayle
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          My bunny was very shy when I first brought him home too!
          What I did was just have him on the floor and I sat there still and just waited for him to come up to me. Then I gave him some treats and hay in front of me and I’d pet him a little. Every bunny is different, but that worked for me
          Penny will warm up to you soon she’ll learn that you’re being nice and caring for her.


        • Matthew
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            Thanks, Kayle! That is helpful! I’ll give that a shot for a while.


          • FrankieFlash
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              Hi! Good questions you are asking. In regards to how much time, honestly I believe as much time as you can give and as long as she’s behaving. Start with smaller areas but where she does have some space from you. Ignore her. Read a book, play on laptop, etc. When she does come over to sniff and explore you try giving her a healthy treat like a piece of raisin (I break mine up so they think they are getting more of a treat) or a carrot tiny sliver. This will show her that you are nice and have good food.

              Second, I see you mentioned cucumbers. I thought I might share this link. https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/VeggieList/tabid/144/Default.aspx I follow it like it’s my bunny bible. I would start with a more dark leafy vegetable first since those have the Vitamin A that is the best for them.

              Good luck on bonding! Remember patience is key.


            • Matthew
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                Very helpful, FrankieFlash, I really appreciate it! I’ll check out that link now, and try to find some better veggies. Thank you again so much!


              • bun-crazy
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                  Oh she is so cute!! I bought my bunnies in March (2 boys-Frank N Beanz) and for quite a while they were “tolerant” of me. But I just kept doing what you’re doing, sitting on the floor and let them run around, come up and sniff me and run away, give them bits of treats, etc. It’s only been fairly recently that they have started to come and seek me out if I’m not paying 100% attention to them. It’s cute…they’ll come find me and bump my ankles with their noses as if to say “Hey, aren’t you going to pay attention to us?” or “You got any papaya for us?” So, patience is key. She’ll come to see you as someone who isn’t out to harm her, but to give her love, affection, and most of all–something yummy to eat! I have also trained them to come to me by crinkling the papaya bag and calling their names. They’ll jump back into their condo and wait for me to shut the door, then I’ll give them each a papaya bit or 2. (This is dried papaya that I bought at the pet store and it’s in tiny cubes, so its good for training.) But they totally love Craisins too and will pretty much do anything for those. I save them for special treats because they are bigger. They still don’t like to be picked up but will let me pet them for much longer periods now, so…just be patient and consistent with her. She’ll come around!


                • Matthew
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                    Thanks, bun-crazy! It’s very reassuring to read all these replies and seeing everyone’s been there and done that and I’m on the right track! Sounds like you’ve got two precious bunnies! I’ve been trying to get Penny used to “night night” being the part of the day when she goes inside her cage, and “play time” being when she’s free to roam. I do need to get some good treats for her so I can offer her one every now and then when she comes up to sniff me while she is having “play time” outside.


                  • Elrohwen
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                      Also make sure that her play time is during the time she’s most active. I can leave the cage wide open all day, but if it’s nap time, the bunnies aren’t coming out no matter what. Morning and evening are the most active times, so she’ll be more likely to explore.


                    • Matthew
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                        Thanks Elrohwen! That’s perfect cause often I’m at work during the way, but I do get to spend time with her in the mornings and evenings. In between those times, someone is usually always around the house to keep a check on her and let her out/put her up when she’s feeling active. She does like her nap time, though!


                      • Matthew
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                          Ahh!! She did it! She approached me tonight! She sniffed around at first, then starting nudging my leg with her nose. I was ignoring her on my laptop, so she cautiously stepped up onto my back, but didn’t quite comb up. She did this a few times until finally jumping up onto my back very quickly before taking off! She did this a couple more times, almost like she was demanding attention! Finally she hopped up one last time and sat for a good 30 seconds or more! Unfortunately I did not have any treats handy, or I would have rewarded her. She did a few mad dashes right up to my laptop screen as well!


                        • bun-crazy
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                            Oh that’s awesome!!! I’m so proud of her. What a brave little bun!! Yes, my boys definitely keep me busy and entertained! Lol


                          • IsabellaRobyn
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                              My little bun is 12 weeks now and I got her when she turned 8 weeks. At first I was determined that she would love me haha and I was quite sad when she didn’t show me loads of bunny lovin’ (like in the videos I’d been watching for weeks previously) but slowly she has warmed to me. I even went on holiday for the past week and left her with my mum and she is still loving now I’m home. I’m still a little wary of giving her ‘treats’ while she is young so when I give her pellets in the morning I keep back half of the pellets and use them as treats. When she comes over to me I give her a pellet and say her name (it makes her like me and slowly trains her to come to her name) and at the end of the day I give her any left over pellets as a night time snack. Belle now jumps up on my bed and lies down and lets me rub her ears for a good half hour sometimes so it works for me! Just thought I’d let you know about the pellet idea because it’s cheaper (as you don’t buy treats) and stops you getting a chubby bunny hah! I’m glad she’s starting to warm to you already you’ll be getting all the bunny love in no time .


                            • Elrohwen
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                                IsabellaRobyn, I think hand feeding treats like that is a great way to bond with your bunny! Good suggestion.

                                I do the same thing when the bunnies jump onto the couch to visit with me.


                              • Deleted User
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                                  That’s great to hear that your bun is warming up to you. =] I have to be careful with my laptop being out around my bun. She likes to like lick/bite the screen for some odd reason.


                                • Matthew
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                                    IsabellaRobyn, thanks for sharing your story, and the tips! They are very much appreciated. I love hearing about all the different ways to bond with bunnies, there’s something for every bunny, it seems! It’s very encouraging. I’ll definitely try the pellet idea! I have been handfeeding her hay from time to time, she’s quite comfortable by now to take it from my hand and munch on it right there!

                                    Thank you also, Skipper’s Mama! I know what you mean! My fiancée’s bunny was left unattended for no more than 2 minutes, and he almost made my laptop charger cable useless! I’m glad he didn’t get electrocuted though.


                                  • longhairmike
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                                      you will be abruptly peed upon when she decides she has had enough playtime…


                                    • Matthew
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                                        Ha! I sure hope not!

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                                    Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How much time should I spend?