Hi guys! I’m new here and this is my first ever post so if any part of this is wrong or I’m posting somewhere I shouldn’t, feel free to say!
So basically my issue is that I have a 9 month old female nether land dwarf and she is extremely aggressive/territorial. (I say both because I’m not sure which it really is!) I’ve had her for about 7 or 8 months and she was great when I first got her then when she reached about 6 months old (or so?) she began to get really aggressive. Not just putting her ears back and threatening people, she actually lunges at you with a screeching growl and tears your hand to pieces until you move it or she kills it! I have NO idea why she is all of a sudden like this. I considered it might be her age as it was when she reached sexual maturity but it seems like a bit more might be going on here. Its just the fact that its so abnormal, she growls and screams at you then bites/burrows in to your hand. It’s got to the point where I cant even move a cardboard tube toy in her cage without her trying to murder me. I’m trying my hardest with her as I’ve watched many videos on why she might be like this and how I can stop it but it’s seeming impossible. Before she had become like this I had bonded with her and she was the sweetest thing ever but then all of a sudden it was as if she hated me (I know she doesnt but thats how she acts). I have tried to bond with her again in so many different ways (laying on my back and letting her hop on me, feeding her from my hand, gently stroking her, letting her approach me etc.) but she isn’t interested. As soon as your hand gets close she fights you.
I ended up thinking its because of something health wise (her teeth, her diet, etc.) so I did a bit more research on how I can make sure she is healthy. I tried checking her over (she also tried to kill me then) and I couldn’t notice anything wrong with her so I just bought her a wooden log, a mineral stone and some of the expensive pellets to make sure she was getting everything she needed. Her behaviour didnt change at all which confused me so I thought about how else I could help her. I then thought it might be something to do with socializing her so I moved her cage in to my room (she has always been an indoor bunny) so then she would hear and see people more often. This has helped a tiny bit as its stopped her from being scared of people which is a start since she was a bit frisky before but the grumpyness just continues.
Now I’m pretty much stuck on how I can help her. I also would like to train her to jump and use a target stick but she isnt interested. She just sits there and if I touch her she growls.
What can I do? My parents and friends keep telling me that its nothing and I’m just over thinking it and that its “just her personality” but I’m sure this isn’t right. Does anyone know what I can do to stop the grumpyness and possibly get closer with my bunny? Thanks guys!