bad bunny

[thekingofsomething]

hi there,

so my father wanted to do a bunny a pleasure and let him free in our back where are 3 cars etc. So he let him go and when my father tried picking him up he just ran under the cars (he kept swiching thats why we could not get it and god he is super fast) and we could not get him. adventually after 2 hours we caught him with a bait but we also hurted the rabbit a little bit. But now my dad does not want him to leave his cage anymore since he is trying to escape… we only got him like for a month or two. Is this normal that rabbits do this?? I thought we were good friends i gave him 3 x a day treats. i gave him flowers cuz he loves flowers. i give him that be fore going to school and when i’m back and last before i go to sleep. so yeah i thought he would let me get him but no he is a little bastard! and now i’m sick cuz i was 2 hours outside and it was cold :/.

[Wick & Fable]

It’s normal for a rabbit to not like to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run away from someone who is constantly trying to pick them up when they don’t want to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run under cars, because they like tunnels.
… also, be careful about just letting your rabbit go outside. Birds can swoop in very quickly and take him… which is also why rabbits like tunnels. It’s protection.

Many BB members would probably say that although they have a bond and friendship with their rabbits, many of their rabbits don’t like being picked up by them. Your rabbit isn’t trying to be a ‘bad bunny’ by running away from you, nor does this necessarily mean he does not like you; he’s running away because he doesn’t want to be picked up. He doesn’t understand that “It’s time to go in”.

Rather than giving him an entire backyard, start small (but larger than a cage). Block of a nice portion of a room that’s bunny-proofed and let him hop around there. You’ll need to get him used to the idea of being picked up before giving him such a big amount of freedom in a space he can’t stay in for long. He’s not going to love being picked up, but you need to be patient and just do baby steps: put your hands under his belly then take them away. Get him used to that, then go a bit further and lift him a centimeter off the ground and put him back down. During all this, it’s important to stop when your rabbit says so; continuing and forcing repetitive training when a rabbit is not having induces a lot of stress and can damage a bond.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[sarahthegemini]

Posted By thekingofsomething on 4/21/2017 1:36 PM

hi there,

so my father wanted to do a bunny a pleasure and let him free in our back where are 3 cars etc. So he let him go and when my father tried picking him up he just ran under the cars (he kept swiching thats why we could not get it and god he is super fast) and we could not get him. adventually after 2 hours we caught him with a bait but we also hurted the rabbit a little bit. But now my dad does not want him to leave his cage anymore since he is trying to escape… we only got him like for a month or two. Is this normal that rabbits do this?? I thought we were good friends i gave him 3 x a day treats. i gave him flowers cuz he loves flowers. i give him that be fore going to school and when i’m back and last before i go to sleep. so yeah i thought he would let me get him but no he is a little bastard! and now i’m sick cuz i was 2 hours outside and it was cold :/.

Let me get this straight – you let him run outside, then he wouldn’t let you pick him up to bring him back in and because of that your father wants the rabbit to be permanently caged?! 

Your rabbit is not a bastard because he doesn’t want picking up  Being picked up terrifies them. 

[Mikey]

Your indoor rabbit was terrified of being outside and being grabbed at. Rabbits hide when scared, which you mentioned he kept doing, nonstop, for 2 hours. And then your dad hurt him. Do not blame your rabbit for you and your fathers lack of understanding on rabbits and rabbit communication. Your bun should be allowed out inside of the house where ever it is bunny proofed, or should be given a large pen or run that is connected to his cage so he has space to exercise

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By Mikey on 4/21/2017 2:48 PM

Your indoor rabbit was terrified of being outside and being grabbed at. Rabbits hide when scared, which you mentioned he kept doing, nonstop, for 2 hours. And then your dad hurt him. Do not blame your rabbit for you and your fathers lack of understanding on rabbits and rabbit communication. Your bun should be allowed out inside of the house where ever it is bunny proofed, or should be given a large pen or run that is connected to his cage so he has space to exercise

he lives outside ^^

[thekingofsomething]

its the first time he did this, i let him in my garden and he let me pickup.

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By Wick on 4/21/2017 1:46 PM

It’s normal for a rabbit to not like to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run away from someone who is constantly trying to pick them up when they don’t want to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run under cars, because they like tunnels.
… also, be careful about just letting your rabbit go outside. Birds can swoop in very quickly and take him… which is also why rabbits like tunnels. It’s protection.

Many BB members would probably say that although they have a bond and friendship with their rabbits, many of their rabbits don’t like being picked up by them. Your rabbit isn’t trying to be a ‘bad bunny’ by running away from you, nor does this necessarily mean he does not like you; he’s running away because he doesn’t want to be picked up. He doesn’t understand that “It’s time to go in”.

Rather than giving him an entire backyard, start small (but larger than a cage). Block of a nice portion of a room that’s bunny-proofed and let him hop around there. You’ll need to get him used to the idea of being picked up before giving him such a big amount of freedom in a space he can’t stay in for long. He’s not going to love being picked up, but you need to be patient and just do baby steps: put your hands under his belly then take them away. Get him used to that, then go a bit further and lift him a centimeter off the ground and put him back down. During all this, it’s important to stop when your rabbit says so; continuing and forcing repetitive training when a rabbit is not having induces a lot of stress and can damage a bond.

he lives outside, and yeah probably right, i just wantedd to do him a favor and show him i trust him. but yeah…

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By Mikey on 4/21/2017 2:48 PM

Your indoor rabbit was terrified of being outside and being grabbed at. Rabbits hide when scared, which you mentioned he kept doing, nonstop, for 2 hours. And then your dad hurt him. Do not blame your rabbit for you and your fathers lack of understanding on rabbits and rabbit communication. Your bun should be allowed out inside of the house where ever it is bunny proofed, or should be given a large pen or run that is connected to his cage so he has space to exercise

no not permanenlty. even if he does so i will still leave him in my garage or my garden cause i’m a good dad ^^

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By sarahthegemini on 4/21/2017 2:34 PM

Posted By thekingofsomething on 4/21/2017 1:36 PM

hi there,

so my father wanted to do a bunny a pleasure and let him free in our back where are 3 cars etc. So he let him go and when my father tried picking him up he just ran under the cars (he kept swiching thats why we could not get it and god he is super fast) and we could not get him. adventually after 2 hours we caught him with a bait but we also hurted the rabbit a little bit. But now my dad does not want him to leave his cage anymore since he is trying to escape… we only got him like for a month or two. Is this normal that rabbits do this?? I thought we were good friends i gave him 3 x a day treats. i gave him flowers cuz he loves flowers. i give him that be fore going to school and when i’m back and last before i go to sleep. so yeah i thought he would let me get him but no he is a little bastard! and now i’m sick cuz i was 2 hours outside and it was cold :/.

Let me get this straight – you let him run outside, then he wouldn’t let you pick him up to bring him back in and because of that your father wants the rabbit to be permanently caged?! 

Your rabbit is not a bastard because he doesn’t want picking up  Being picked up terrifies them. 

not permanent dude, but yeah he doesn’t ilke to be picked up my other rabbit liked it she did not like scratch me etc. this one is freaking out in our hands..

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By Mikey on 4/21/2017 2:48 PM

Your indoor rabbit was terrified of being outside and being grabbed at. Rabbits hide when scared, which you mentioned he kept doing, nonstop, for 2 hours. And then your dad hurt him. Do not blame your rabbit for you and your fathers lack of understanding on rabbits and rabbit communication. Your bun should be allowed out inside of the house where ever it is bunny proofed, or should be given a large pen or run that is connected to his cage so he has space to exercise

he already lives outside but i can’t let him in my garden cause my dad said his poop was lil wet and soft. but i still give him  a few flowers a day

[thekingofsomething]

Posted By Wick on 4/21/2017 1:46 PM

It’s normal for a rabbit to not like to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run away from someone who is constantly trying to pick them up when they don’t want to be picked up.
It’s normal for a rabbit to run under cars, because they like tunnels.
… also, be careful about just letting your rabbit go outside. Birds can swoop in very quickly and take him… which is also why rabbits like tunnels. It’s protection.

Many BB members would probably say that although they have a bond and friendship with their rabbits, many of their rabbits don’t like being picked up by them. Your rabbit isn’t trying to be a ‘bad bunny’ by running away from you, nor does this necessarily mean he does not like you; he’s running away because he doesn’t want to be picked up. He doesn’t understand that “It’s time to go in”.

Rather than giving him an entire backyard, start small (but larger than a cage). Block of a nice portion of a room that’s bunny-proofed and let him hop around there. You’ll need to get him used to the idea of being picked up before giving him such a big amount of freedom in a space he can’t stay in for long. He’s not going to love being picked up, but you need to be patient and just do baby steps: put your hands under his belly then take them away. Get him used to that, then go a bit further and lift him a centimeter off the ground and put him back down. During all this, it’s important to stop when your rabbit says so; continuing and forcing repetitive training when a rabbit is not having induces a lot of stress and can damage a bond.

lucky him there are no big  birds here ^^ only foxes or something like that, something like that also killed my neighbours 5 chickens..

[thekingofsomething]

He lives outside, and he has a big cage, but you know i still feel bad for him letting him in that cage :/

[sarahthegemini]

As explained before, it’s normal for bunnies to not want to be picked up. It scares them. You can not blame your rabbit for your misunderstanding.

[sarahthegemini]

Hold up, he lives outside when you know foxes are around????

[BanditCamp]

Ok let’s get back on track guys.

First, you have an outdoor bunny which is about 15% or less of most users on this forum which might think that’s a bad idea. Bunnies living outside is OK as long as precautions are met. If you have a fenced backyard then the risk of foxes are somewhat minimal but foxes can dig so be aware of that. Also if you have an outdoor bunny make sure you have a hutch that is somewhat off the ground OR if it’s a ground based that allows grass access a small perimeter fence might be awesome for your buns protection. Elements are another issue but th said he can be kept sheltered in the garage but remember the garage can drop 10-15 degrees colder than the outside element or 20-25 degrees hotter which could kill your bunny. If it’s sweltering.

If you want some cool outdoor hutches that a bunny safe and give lots of room and are fox proof I found this company and if I get a house I will be getting one of these for my bunnys investment as an outdoor play area. My friend in norcal has a 3 foot high wide area with the live in hutch from the same company and she’s super happy with her purchase and her two tan rabbits are as well with a large safe area to run around in. She also moves it now and again to keep her grass healthy as the rabbits graze the grass and now it down alot.

https://www.omlet.us/shop/rabbit_products/outdoor_rabbita lot.

Secondly, NEVER CHASE YOUR BUNNY chasing your bunny especially a rabbit makes them consider you as a threat and as a prey animal they will not approach and become agressive towards you. Relationships with rabbits are trust based and doing this will ensure that your bunny sees you as the scum of the earth and not interact with you. I suggest looking up bonding videos to ensure that your bunny is well loved and trusts you.

Third, always introduce space at limited intervals too much at once can be terrifying and that’s why your bunny was hiding because he was terrified of all the space. I would start with a 32sq foot enclosure 8x4feet and if you need to expand there are tons of videos.

I’m glad you came to the forums for advice and if you habe any questions feel free to post topics but always try and search first.

[sarahthegemini]

It’s all good and well having an enclosure that is safe from predators but the problem is that the bunny doesn’t know it’s safe. It’s still going to smell the foxes and be unaware that they can’t get in. Therefore it’s going to be terrified. Sorry but I don’t think it’s as simple as having a predator-proofed environment. 

Anyway, there’s a lot of factors here that will probably cause your rabbit to not trust you so you need to build trust again. But you also need to take responsibility and not do certain things ‘because your rabbit is your friend’. Bun won’t know that you were trying to treat him for being good. Bun won’t know that you were picking him up to bring him back to safety. You said he got injured, in what way?

[thekingofsomething]

Lol i didn’t mean foxes, but its something like that. we have never seen one in our yard so i’m fine and he is protected outside. the animal can’t get in unless he has got some hands.

[Mikey]

“Animals cant get in unless they have hands” Animals have paws…. They can also dig…….. Your rabbit does not sound like it is living in a safe place. You clearly havent done any research on rabbits before getting one, given you think his normal rabbit behavior makes him a bastard, and because you clearly dont understand how to protect your rabbit. I suggest you set a day aside to read posts on this forum and on rabbit.org to about outdoor rabbits, rabbit care, rabbit communication, rabbit health, proper outdoor hutches, ect

[sarahthegemini]

A fox or an animal like a fox – it doesn’t matter. Point still stands. And you didn’t answer what the injury was?

[Author]

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