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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to socialize Netherland Dwarf

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    • johnbltz
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        I just got my first rabbit this weekend, an adorable pearl marten Netherlands Dwarf. Right now the poor guy seems utterly terrified of me. I know it takes some time for a rabbit to adjust, so I’ve been patient and giving him space. And over the past few days he has seemed to have gotten more and more comfortable with coming out of hiding (under my bed is his favorite place at the moment) to explore, play with the toys I’ve made him, etc. But if I move too much he immediately darts back to hiding. The thing is, I’ve been doing this (giving him space) to the point of not even putting him in his cage, because that would require picking him up and he darts if I even look at him like I want to touch him. Am I over doing it?

         Also, in my attempt to make sure he’s comfortable, am I potentially inadvertently training him to be even more standoffish? I got a rabbit in part because my dogs are in another state with my partner while I finish up school and I miss having a fury, affectionate little creature around. I’ve always wanted a rabbit and I thought one would be a perfect companion for my living situation (in an apartment). While I’m obviously going to continue giving the little guy a home no matter what – he’s just the most adorable little thing – I would like to do everything in my power to encourage affectionate behavior. So I’m wondering if I should actually be picking him up more. Especially since, while he squirms while being picked up, he immediately calms down once he’s secure in my arms. His ears go back and flat and he’ll just hang out forever.

         So, long story short. I’m wondering if there is anything I can do to help him feel more comfortable. And I’m also wondering if my tactic of not picking him up, with the assumption that eventually he’ll be comfortable just hopping into my lap, is the right one.

         Thanks!!!


      • Bam
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          I think you’re doing great. It’s very important to give the bun time and space. It’s very typical of a bun to dart wehen you look at it, because that’s what a predator would do before it pounces, eye the prey. And bunnies are prey animals.

          At 16 weeks a bun starts to become a teen-ager, and teen-agers are teen-agers regardless of species, you might say.

          You shouldn’t stress him out by picking him up all the time, but it is good to do it once in a while because you will need to clip his nails and do health checks etc.

          A good way to let him know you are a great guy is to reward his approaching you with treats. You can also hand-feed him his pellets.

          Hidey houses made out of cardboard boxes are great for making a bun feel safer. Cut out two entrances, one on each side and place the houses so he can run and hide in them when he’s out exploring. They like tunnel-like structures too, so a cat tunnel or a cardboard concrete mould of appropriate diameter are often really popular.


        • skysblue
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            You can try and get a small enclosure where it is just you and your bun with one hiding spot. That way he has to interact with you and not just hide himself under the bed all the time. I believe it is very important to have your bun to get used to your touch at a very young age. You can start by petting him, and then lure him closer to you to the point where he is comfortable enough to walk onto your lap. You don’t want to jump right ahead to pick him up, but you need to have him understand being picked up is okay as early as possible, so don’t wait too long and be afraid. You definitely should offer reward whenever he is in your arms. It is all about positive reinforcement and trust.


          • johnbltz
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              Thanks for the advice!

              A quick follow up question, I’ve tried to give him both carrots and banana slices as treats but he doesn’t seem particularly interesting. I even left a bit of carrot under the bed where he likes to hide and it was still there a day or two later. Is this normal? Are there other foods I should try? I’d prefer to give him fresh fruits and veggies as opposed to manufactured snack, but should I just try the snacks? Also, might it be a good idea to put something up to keep him out from under the bed? I have some boxes so I can make him a little hideaway in my room that might be better than my bed.

               Thanks again!!!


            • skysblue
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                It is risky to feed fruits and veggie to bunny less than 4 months old. If he isn’t fond of carrots and banana, that is fine. If the rabbit doesn’t eat it right away within 5 mins, it is safe to say he is not interested, so you can remove it. There are a lot more options that your rabbit will definitely like. IMO, feeding pellet by hand one by one is a VERY effective way to build strong relationships.

                Yes, definitely try to block off the bed. The rabbit will have a lot more interest in exploring in a cave than playing with a stranger human. Though you might need to try hard to block it off, because rabbits can crawl through almost anything.


              • johnbltz
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                  Thanks again for the advice all! I’ve blocked off the bed, which makes putting him up when I need to easier. But I still can’t seem to get him to take treats from me. I’ve tried feeding him pellets by hand, both one by one and a little pile in my palm, and he seems totally uninterested. Any ideas?


                • Azerane
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                    It’s not unusual for rabbits to snub new foods that they’ve never tried before. It can take several tries before some bunnies are willing to try something new offered to them.

                    It sounds like you’re doing pretty good, just keep calm when hanging out with him, perhaps keep some hay or pellets right next to you and read a book. Then just ignore him when he comes over to eat. The more you ignore him and seem involved in something else, the more curious he will be.


                  • Angiegweeble
                    Participant
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                      I found with Dandelion that it took a period of weeks to accept something different as treats. It also took about two months before he would approach me at all. He is getting more social now and it melts my heart. His favourite treats are now raisins and malted wheat cereals, both of which I keep in glass jars with metal lids. Now, all I have to do is shake the jar, or if he is looking, just pick it up and he will come running and bounce onto my lap. If the jars are on the floor, he circles them and sniffs them and claws at the tops as if to say “come on mum!!! Open the jar!!!” ?


                    • Vienna Blue in France
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                        Malted wheat cereals…..?? ooo!! I’ve got them in my cupcoard (commonly known as shreddies !! Yum)
                        I’ll try !!


                      • johnbltz
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                          Thanks for the advice!


                        • Angiegweeble
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                            Yes – shreddies – they were Aldi own brand and I could not remember the ‘proper’ name for them

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                        Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A How to socialize Netherland Dwarf