Territorial

[Cinna-Bun]

I only have one bunny, a little Dutch girl named Cinna. She’s super territorial, even though she’s been spayed for almost 2 months now. I can’t put my hand in her cage without putting something in to protect myself. Even after I feed her, she’ll growl at me as she keeps when I walk by the cage. Do you guys think she would still be able to be bonded to another rabbit? Has anyone else had a very territorial bunny that was bonded successfully?

 I don’t have a second bunny, but I understand the need for same species companionship and I would love to get her a mate. I’m a minor, so the final decision would be made by my parents. I don’t want to ask to adopt another rabbit unless I know there’s a chance she can be bonded. Thanks in advance! 

[JackRabbit]

I haven’t had to deal with a bunny that was that territorial, but it might help your relationship with your bunny and help with bonding if you work on the territorial issues first. Here’s a video on working with an aggressive bun. I know Mary Cotter makes things look so easy, but you might give her method a try. If you do, please let us know how it goes!

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCEQtwIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1abIFF_fgpY&rct=j&q=how%20to%20pet%20a%20cage%20aggressive%20rabbit&ei=eI5nVfGgHoO-sAX33YLQDQ&usg=AFQjCNHKKSAktBPg05naklL-77JZfCxzQA

[Cinna-Bun]

Thanks for that video, I will start working with her. Is it still possible that she can be trained out of her territorial-ness? The video was talking about general aggressive, which is a learned behavior, correct? But Cinnabun is territorial…which is instinctual?

[Kyrkogrimr]

It might help if you try not to mess with her cage while she’s in it; that can cause territorial behaviour if the bunny feels like they have nowhere “safe” to go without being bothered. Perhaps if, along with working on the aggressive behaviour, you don’t mess with her stuff in front of her and give her a chance to get used to the idea that you do respect her space, she might become less territorial over time.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My Olivia has been spayed since she was around 1. She’s now around 8. She lives in a condo side by side with my Bindi but she has never stopped being territorial towards him. If he runs back to his cage, she freaks out and growls. If given the opportunity she will try to bite him. She also lunges at me and pummels me often when I’m in her cage. Obviously, she is not going to grow out of it. Possibly because she was spayed later on and/or she has major trust issues with humans and other bunnies. She can be sweet with me but I chose to have her and my other bun remain as single buns so no one gets hurt. When I had 3 buns, I did little dates to see if she would be bondable and she was super aggressive. I don’t think she wants to have a buddy and I don’t want my Bindi to get hurt.

If you do decide you would like to try to get her a friend (and have weighed all the pros/cons) I suggest finding a rescue or shelter where you can bring her on bunny dates to see how she interacts with other bunnies. If it’s positive you can let her pick her mate which will make bonding easier.

[Oreo&gizmo?]

I had this problem with my gizmo you really have to try and build a relationship show the rabbit your not scared of them either but act calm and you should start to slowly see a difference.

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