How long until a bunny loves and trusts you?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by Hazel.

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- 08/14/2015 at 7:04 PM
  Xxventanaxx
  Participant
  356 posts
  My bunny lux loves to binky and run with me. She still runs in her hut a lot when I open the cage to pet her and is letting me pet her more then before. I see her flop down under the couch and in her cage but never with me. Runs away from me when she is running around the house. Had her for 5 days now.
- 08/14/2015 at 10:50 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  It will definitely take some time-but you’ll notice small things as time goes on. Sounds like you do have a good relationship already.
  
  It’s hard not to want to hold and smooosh them, they are adorable and neat. But they really need the opposite when getting used to people and their new home. The best bonding to do is sit on the floor-watch TV, read -whatever, they’ll come to you and won’t feel threatened (for one your half the height you were before!)
- 08/14/2015 at 11:32 PM
  HereComesTheBun
  Participant
  107 posts
  The fact that she’s already flopping is a good sign, regardless of whether it’s by you or not. But unfortunately, it can take a while to gain a bunny’s trust. I’ve had Hugo for about three and a half months now, and although our bond is still strengthening, we’ve come a long way. I relied on the advice of ignoring him when I was first starting to get to know him, and I also talked to him a lot, so he would get to know the sound of my voice. Once she’s a little more comfortable with you, I would highly recommend hand feeding her. It took Hugo a little bit to accept food out of my hand, but it helped him associate me with good things.
  
  Additionally, though not all rabbits enjoy being pet, young rabbits are extremely active, so don’t be discouraged if she’s more interested in hopping around, even after she knows you better. Hugo loves being pet, but he’s more receptive to it at certain times of day (such as before his afternoon nap or right after he’s full from a dinner of pellets).
  
  I don’t know if you’ve looked at this site already, but it was instrumental in helping me learn about rabbits’ behavior: http://language.rabbitspeak.com/.
- 08/15/2015 at 4:29 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  16875 posts
  I agree with what everyone has said, just want to add that if a bunny flops or just lies down in a relaxed position f ex with her legs behind her, in your presence, even if it’s a yard or two away from you, that rabbit is socializing with you. You may never notice, but in the bunny’s mind, you are hanging out together.
  Edit: PS by this I mean it seems like she already loves you
- 08/15/2015 at 5:23 AM
  Lee
  Participant
  213 posts
  Stay positive. It took Si almost 5 weeks to start using me as a jungle gym when I was laying on the floor, and he sometimes comes to sit or lay down next to me now. But it is a slow process and we have a long ways to go. Definitely persist, it feels so great when you make those little leaps in trust with them and they start allowing more and more contact.
- 08/20/2015 at 1:39 PM
  JustineT
  Participant
  52 posts
  It can be a slow process but don’t worry, your bunny will love you As someone else mentioned, watch TV with them. Our rabbit is a TV addict. We’ve had her for a few years now and she rarely snuggles in our laps (every once in a while if she hops on the couch I “attack” her with strokes until she settles down haha). She’s more of a, “I lay here and you come and stroke me” kind of rabbit for the most part.
  
  But she loves socializing with us by joining us for TV time or just flopping in whatever room we’re in
  
  Giving a treat of fruit (like a blueberry or something small) or an herb or veggie your bunny likes (ours adores mint & fennel!) is helpful too!
- 08/20/2015 at 4:52 PM
  Hazel
  Participant
  2587 posts
  Sounds like you’re already making progress with your bun. It can take a while, as others have said.
  
  For what it’s worth, we’ve had our Oscar for two years now. Does he trust us? Yes, 100%. Does he love us? I don’t think so. If he does, he hides it well. He tolerates and accepts us, and often he’s happy to see us, but that’s mostly because he’s hoping for food or a head rub. We’re a valuable resource to him more than anything, I think. He does seem to have a soft spot for my hubby though, when he enters Oscar’s room, he’s often greeted with binkies and Oscar loves it when the hubby pets him. When I walk into the room, I don’t get binkies but rather a grunt and a nip on the leg because I’m not feeding him fast enough.
  
  Don’t let that discourage you though. Oscar might be a jerk, but that doesn’t mean your bunny will be, too.
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