Bunny on his worst behavior!

[Bun The Bunny]

I got my holland lop about a week ago from a pet store and when he first got to my apartment he was sweet and licked people and wasn’t obnoxiously mischievous. Fast forward to a week later and he’s running around all crazy and chewing on everything! I blocked off the space behind the couch with pillows so he can’t go behind the couch and now every time he gets out of his cage he is OBSESSED with getting behind the couch and he scratches at the pillows all the time  I push his head down and say, “NO” firmly – but this doesn’t seem to have any affect. He doesn’t lick anyone anymore and won’t just chill and let people pet him. I’m assuming it’s just because he needs to be neutered but I was wondering if anyone else has dealt with this before? Does the craziness stop after he’s neutered?? Will he ever give me those cute bunny kisses ever again!? 

[Sarita]

Moved to Behavior.

[RabbitPam]

Hi, This is pretty normal behavior for an unneutered male. He has realized he is safe in his new home and is free to explore. Neutering will Definitely help calm down this behavior, though it takes a month after the procedure to make a real difference. Bring your new little guy to a vet that’s good with rabbits (Exotics Vets) and schedule the appointment for his neuter as soon as your vet is willing to do it. More experienced vets often can handle slightly younger bunnies.

Get a plastic spray bottle and fill it with a 50/50% mix of white vinegar and water. Spray it on the bottom areas of the couch where he wants to get to. It won’t smell to you, but it is a repulsive smell to bunnies. Also, keep it handy because it is an excellent cleaner of litter pans, cages and toys, as long as you rinse those off after.

He will calm down more with age, in about 2 years, than the neuter, but he may always give you kisses. You are just getting through his teenager behavior for a few months now.

[Jessie1990]

My rabbits have calmed down a lot since they have gotten to the 1 year old mark. They still tug on the carpet, but I really can’t blame them when the carpet resembles poofy hay lol. I just put a “fence” around anywhere that became a problem area and watch them every second they are out.

[BlueMoods]

Just a young male rabbit being a young male rabbit. So he wants to dig and hide, get a litter box an put play sand in it, then a cardboard house or just get a covered litter box. Correct him for digging at the pillows and place him in the covered sand box immediately He will learn that digging at pillows in not acceptable but, digging in the sand box is perfectly fine.

You are correcting him properly but, you aren’t giving him an acceptable alternative behavior, do that and he will learn a lot faster. Same if he chews, take away the things he isn’t supposed the chew, correct him, then give him something he can chew.

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