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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Nipping for attention

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    • LynnLee
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      7 posts Send Private Message

        Hello All

        My rabbit has started nipping my arms, back whatever when I am not paying attention to him. Usually I am on the computer. It was gentle at first but now he’s starting to get ballsy. Any suggestions on how to curb this behavior? Thanks 

        Lynn


      • bmt87
        Participant
        305 posts Send Private Message

          Lola does this. She is VERY friendly but if you are in her way or not paying attention to you she’ll give you a “nose bump” a few times that is her sign to “hey human! pay attention to me!” and then she’ll give up after a few minutes and nip. The worst is when you are sitting on the floor leaning up against the couch and she has a WHOLE ENTIRE living room to go around you but wants to crawl by the couch and she’ll nip my back to try to get me out of the way – and let me tell you that hurts.

          What we do is scream or shout really loud to startle her. It has really curbed the nipping a lot. We think she is a little hard of hearing so we have to shout really loud. I can’t even remember the last time she nipped me but I know she still gets my boyfriend from time to time because he doesn’t discipline her as much so I think the key is really being straight-forward with your rabbit and not to give up.

          Also, when we have people over we warn them about her nipping when she wants to get threw somewhere. She has free roam of the apartment except for a few hours at night and would freak if we locked her in her pen so it’s really our only choice. For example, we had people over for game night the other night and they were sitting on the couch and we warned them. Sure enough, she started giving someone the nose bump and I was like, “remember what i said…gently push her away or she will nip.” So, needless to say….rabbits are really smart! She knows she can’t get away with the nipping with me but will push her luck with my boyfriend and strangers.

          I hope this helps!


        • Deleted User
          Participant
          22064 posts Send Private Message

            I second Bmt. Skipper used to do this and she has stopped. And I’m working on our foster with this behavior. I hope it gets better!


          • LynnLee
            Participant
            7 posts Send Private Message

              Thank you! I was afraid to really shout or holler at him, I’ve read they can be startled to death! Anyhow thanks for the replies. Now if I can just figure out why my computer wont let me upload a pic of my rabbit.


            • smileykyleigh
              Participant
              59 posts Send Private Message

                Our rabbit has done this too. A couple weeks ago he nipped my son and left a pretty good bruise on his arm
                He said he nudged him two times and then he bit him, so I explained that nudging is his way of asking for pets, and he gave him too warnings! So when he nudges him he either needs to pet him, or go away from him.
                I also told him to shriek “OW!” Loudly if he does it again, but thankfully he hasn’t.


              • LBJ10
                Moderator
                16870 posts Send Private Message

                  We have had problems with Leopold biting hard in the past. He would leave a nice black and blue mark on me and teeth indentations. Unfortunately, squealing doesn’t work because Leopold can’t hear you. So we started giving him a tap when he did it. He has been getting better. Now he will just tug at my clothes. He had my finger earlier tonight, but I only felt his teeth. He didn’t bite down hard. So I think it has been working.


                • DUSTBUNNY-CLYDE
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                    clyde used to do it when we first got him. I just “eeked” real loud and said no!! it only took a few times and it stopped!!


                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                      Is your rabbit neutered?


                    • LynnLee
                      Participant
                      7 posts Send Private Message

                        Yes he is neutered. I have been trying to give him my full attention when I first sit down and then after a while move on to doing other things, I also have been yapping ? at him when he does it and it seems to be getting a little better, we shall see. Thanks everyone.

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                    Forum BEHAVIOR Nipping for attention