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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BEHAVIOR My bunny hates me

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    • Deleted User
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        Hi everyone! 

        Almost a month ago my husband and I brought home 2 boy Holland Lops that were 7.5 weeks old from different litters, but the same breeder. One of them, Asriel, I feel hasn’t adjusted. He’s currently 11 weeks old. We’ve done literally everything we’ve been told/read to make him comfortable. I often wonder if he would have been better off staying with the breeder. 

        Asriel isn’t aggressive. He just is always in a hunched position, and as far as possible from the cage door when it opens. Whenever we let him out to play he always bolts to the nearest hiding spot and doesn’t budge until it’s time to go back into the cage. There are very rare occasions when he binkies, jumps around the room, flops, or does the bunny 500. If my husband and I are on the couch ignoring him, he’ll get curious and start sniffing into things, and then tears up the carpet with his paws or teeth. He’s a very intelligent bunny. Learned to use the litter box within two days, learned exactly what time he gets fed, and knows our routine to a T. 

        Like I’ve said, we’ve done everything we’ve read or have been told by the breeder. We sit on the floor with him at his level. We won’t reach out to pat him when he comes up to us. We’ve sat there with treats (oats and parsley are his favorite) and he won’t eat them until we go away. Sometimes he boops us, but then he quickly runs away as if he regretted that decision. Are we doing something wrong? 

        I know bunnies aren’t supposed to be cuddly lap pets, and I’ve never had that expectation. I just want him to not hate me. I want to be able to show him a little love, just a rub on the back. 

        His brother, Bombur, is the complete opposite. Bombur rushes up to the cage (they’re in separate cages) for pets and anxiously waits for his turn out. He will flop next to you for all the love you’ll give him. He’ll lick you if you let him. He explores everything and is constantly hopping around. 

        I often times feel like we’re neglecting Asriel and giving Bombur so much love because Bombur wants it, and Asriel just never even wants to be in the same vicinity as us. We even spend tons more time with Asriel out of the cage to get him comfortable with us, and he’d much rather just stay in his cage all day.

        Please help… honestly any advice will be appreciated at this point. 


      • sarahthegemini
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          In the grand scheme of things, a month isn’t a long time and some bunnies do take longer to adjust. It doesn’t mean he hates you or that you’re doing anything wrong. My Peanut took months to feel comfortable being pet, and he loves human interaction now (still only on his terms tho but that’s a bunny thing!) Just be patient. He’ll come round eventually. 

          How often are you and your partner home with him? I’m home all the time and as I said, it still took a while for Peanut to feel happy being touched. Before that he’d still approach for nose boops and he’d still climb on me for treats but touching was a no-no!


        • Luna
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            I agree. I think he just needs more time. It took about 5-8 months for Luna to be 100% comfortable and bonded.


          • Deleted User
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              We’re home about 5-6 hours a night, and about an hour before going off to work. We were getting concerned because the breeder told us he should be adjusted after a month, but that’s good to hear it can take longer, Makes us feel less like failures. 

              Do you have tips for when he’s out of the cage? 


            • Deleted User
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                5-8 months feels like forever! haha I can understand that. The breeder assured us he’d be comfortable with us after a month or so. I’m glad it’s nothing to be worried about! Any suggestions for making the process smoother? (besides us staring at each other while he’s under the stepstool


              • Mikey
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                  It took my Bombur over a year to feel comfortable enough. We are coming up on the two year mark of having him and hes just begun to feel comfortable enough to climb onto the couch


                • LittlePuffyTail
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                    Bunnies are as unique as people. Some are very people friendly and some are shy. Some take a longer time learning to trust people. And like the others said, a month isn’t a long time. He’s got to adjust to a new home and new people at the same time.


                  • sarahthegemini
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                      Posted By Asriel and Bombur on 6/14/2017 12:50 PM

                      We’re home about 5-6 hours a night, and about an hour before going off to work. We were getting concerned because the breeder told us he should be adjusted after a month, but that’s good to hear it can take longer, Makes us feel less like failures. 

                      Do you have tips for when he’s out of the cage? 

                      Unfortunately that’s the type of thing that can’t be predicted. You’re definitely not failures, it’s perfectly normal to take a while to feel comfortable. My Buttercup felt comfortable being pet quite soon but she’s naturally more confident than Peanut.  

                      Best thing you can do is make yourself not seen as threatening so speak softly, don’t make sharp movements or loud noises and don’t try and touch him at the moment. I’m sure you’re already doing everything right so just give it more time


                    • Deleted User
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                        Exciting update! 

                        Two days ago I took out the brush, and Asriel started sniffing it and chinning it. I thought he would freak out if I brushed him, but the opposite happened! In two days he has literally transformed into a new bunny! As soon as he sees me sitting with the brush out he hops around the cage and tries to get out, and when you open the door he hops out, flops next to me (while demanding his oats) and just lets me brush him for the next half hour. Sometimes he’ll even let me trade the brush for my hand. He’s even started exploring things, and ran around the apartment for 10 minutes straight. What a difference when you do something that clicks!


                      • Luna
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                          Yay! Who would’ve thought a brush would do the trick. That’s great news .


                        • LittlePuffyTail
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                            Lucky! My 11 lb bunny beats me up when I try to groom him!!!

                            I’m happy things are working out for you and your buns.

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                        Forum BEHAVIOR My bunny hates me