How do I get my rabbit to like me?

[jespy1]

Hey all! So I just recently rescued a bunny from a shelter and she has quite the attitude. She is not scared of me and does allow me to pet her sometimes, however I was really hoping that she would be more friendly. I really want to be able to have her sit on my lap or be held on my lap. As of right now if I even try to pick her up (not even off the ground just move her) she gets really mad and thumps and runs away.

I would love to hear some tips on bonding. I have been sitting down on the floor and letting her come to me. When she comes I give her a treat. How do I make her more loving towards me?

[Gina.Jenny]

I currently have 4 bunnies, plus two rainbow bunnies. Podge sometimes tolerates a short amount of lap time, none of the others ever have. Some bunnies do like being on laps, but my experience is that most don’t. You need to let her show affection in her own way. ‘Allowing’ us to groom them by rubbing their nose, behind the ears etc. is an expression of bunny affection. They are saying, ‘I trust you and enjoy your attentions.’

Even fewer bunnies like being picked up. As prey animal, being picked up can mean they are about to be eaten, so its no wonder they don’t like it.

Food is a good way to a bunnies heart. Sitting quietly on the floor, giving little treats is a good way, as you’ve already realised

[Emma&Charlie]

Charlie will very rarely let me pick him up and set him on my lap and actually stay. He will do that usually when he is in the right chilled mood and I do it slowly and pet him a lot. One time he even licked the whole sleeve or my sweater wet while I was petting him. Emma gets very upset if I try to do that. When she was a baby she was so scared I guess that she would let me hold her on my chest and pet her for a good 15 minutes. Now I know she was just to scared and I think she got a phobia of being picked up from that now and she also thumps and runs if I try to get her in anyway besides petting. If I lay down in their playpen, Charlie will also jump and sit on my back for a while, he seems to like to snuggle that way more than a lap, especially if I have on jeans or something that he wants to chew on. These are my first two as well but I can totally see just how different the personalities can be in bunnies like all animals. I have also heard that they get a lot more mellow when they get older or are fixed, so we shall see.

[Mikey]

Ive always found it silly that bunnies dont like to be picked up or carried since all three of mine demand cuddles and love to be picked up. I think its easier to train them to be used to it, or even like it, if you start when they are young so they know its safe and learn to find comfort in it. For an older/adult bun, i would bribe with treats and greens. Although, its not common for a rabbit to want to sit in laps and cuddle; theyre usually very active. You can try laying on the floor and letting your bun climb all over you as a way to bond

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