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Bunny Behaviour
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/1338936835.jpg)
Tammy Digging in Wicker Bowl
It is my opinion that a healthy, enriched rabbit is a happy rabbit and thus will make you happy. In my experience negative behaviours such a chewing things, aggression and fleeing are due to poor handling, interaction, diet and housing/exercise space.
Observing your rabbits behaviour and learning why they do what they do will bring you and your bunny closer. A rabbit that thrives is a well understood rabbit.
Your rabbit will communicate with you, it is your responsibility to understand what your rabbit is trying to tell you and for you to meet their needs.
Observing your rabbits behaviour and learning why they do what they do will bring you and your bunny closer. A rabbit that thrives is a well understood rabbit.
Your rabbit will communicate with you, it is your responsibility to understand what your rabbit is trying to tell you and for you to meet their needs.
Building a trusting relationship with your bunny.
Finding what pleases your Bunny!!
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/494159.jpg)
Rabbits like you to have good manners. They like you to say hello, greet them and spend time getting to know each other.
Rabbits in general tend to love having their heads rubbed. Jack for example loves having the top of his nose rubbed and between his ears. -------------------------------->
Evie especially loves having her ears stroked and Teddy loves a deep massage with the tips of my fingers all around his ears and on his jaw.
Pet your rabbit before picking them up, talk to them and reassure them before lifting them feet above the ground where they feel they dont belong.
Once youve picked them up continue to pet them and when putting them back down, try and make sure theyve got something nice to nibble on like readi grass or some greens. The bunny will learn that being handled and picked up are positive things and after a while they will be jumping into your arms :) It really is so nice to open a hutch door and have your beloved bun eagerly waiting there for lots of love and cuddles!
Rabbits in general tend to love having their heads rubbed. Jack for example loves having the top of his nose rubbed and between his ears. -------------------------------->
Evie especially loves having her ears stroked and Teddy loves a deep massage with the tips of my fingers all around his ears and on his jaw.
Pet your rabbit before picking them up, talk to them and reassure them before lifting them feet above the ground where they feel they dont belong.
Once youve picked them up continue to pet them and when putting them back down, try and make sure theyve got something nice to nibble on like readi grass or some greens. The bunny will learn that being handled and picked up are positive things and after a while they will be jumping into your arms :) It really is so nice to open a hutch door and have your beloved bun eagerly waiting there for lots of love and cuddles!
My Experience
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/5336206.jpg)
http://www.awwthatscute.com/2008/06/25/shy-bunny/
I have taken on rabbits which previously ran from human interaction and were aggressive when I first attempted to handle. However over time these rabbits become friendly and actually approach the hutch door as I go past seeking my attention. This is achieved with a lot of patience and understanding of what the rabbit wants and needs. The first step is the correct diet, followed by ample exercise outside of its hutch/cage.
Then one needs to spent time standing by the hutch, maybe talking to the rabbit but not making eye contact, I often make phone calls when stood by the hutch with door open. This way the rabbit begins to learn that you are nothing to fear and just because you are there, it doesn't mean he/she is going to be picked up or bothered. Rabbits are inquisitive by nature and in time the rabbit will come to you for a sniff. I often have my arm/leg rested against the opening of the door and allow the rabbit to come and investigate. I don't attempt to touch bunny yet but gradually look and talk to bunny the more they are interested in me and the more they stick around.
In time I will then make my hand into a fist and put my hand to the rabbits nose (when rabbit is facing me and I approach slightly to one side giving bunny better view) Two bunnies when meeting will touch noses very much like horses do. My hand is acting like a rabbits head and my hand will touch their nose, this is me saying 'HELLO, nice to meet you.' If the rabbit still seems calm and doesn't tense up or move backwards, I will then stroke its head gently. Rehearsing this over and over the bunny will learn to trust you, be aware that buns have bad days just like us humans. If one day things seem to be going in the wrong direction, don't worry, leave the bunny be and wait until the next day when bunny may be in a better mood. You might have caught him/her on a off moment.
You can tempt bunny to approach you with food, this works especially well with males. A carrot or spring greens works great :)
I then begin to pet the body of the rabbit, touching from nose backwards. Eventually bunny will become relaxed when being pet and body will be stretched out and at ease. Then picking up can be commence. Be sure to pick the bunny up correctly, supporting the hind legs and chest. Swiftly but gently bring the rabbit close to your body, holding reasonably firmly. This will help bunny to feel more secure. If you feel comfortable holding the rabbit you can stroke their head with them in your arms, this also helps them to relax.
When being put down ensure you give bunny a treat so to encourage the rabbit to associate being picked up resulting in something positive. Again a treat means a carrot and tiny amount of fruit.
This should be done with all new bunnies, even if they are well handled previously and seek human interaction. With rabbits accustomed to handling and interaction the above will take a fraction of the time so days instead of weeks and months. But still a rabbit might not like you very much if they think you've got too intimate to soon! There's no harm in having good manners! Let a rabbit know your there before you go into their house and say 'hello' too!
Natural behaviours
Digging
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/3200792.jpg)
http://www.jokeroo.com/pictures/animal/biting-bunny.html
A certain amount of digging is not a negative behaviour, it is a NATURAL behaviour and supplying a box full of shredded news paper to dig in and plenty of bedding in hutches will allow your bunny to carry out these very natural behaviours without it demolishing your carpet! Un-neutered rabbits will often dig in their runs, as will shy rabbits if they are not provided with somewhere to hide.
Providing a hiding box, which can also act as a viewing spot will help prevent bunny digging up your lawn. These behaviours are massively reduced by neutering. If you want your rabbit to be like a loving soft puppy, then you need to be patient and considerate to the rabbits innate behaviours and allow the rabbit to trust you in his/her own time, carry out natural behaviours but finding ways around any destruction.
Providing a hiding box, which can also act as a viewing spot will help prevent bunny digging up your lawn. These behaviours are massively reduced by neutering. If you want your rabbit to be like a loving soft puppy, then you need to be patient and considerate to the rabbits innate behaviours and allow the rabbit to trust you in his/her own time, carry out natural behaviours but finding ways around any destruction.
Territorial behaviour
Licking & Tooth Purr
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/5075429.jpg?368)
http://supercute.org/2012/01/09/cute-rabbit-sticking-out-tongue/
These behaviours are truly some of the most rewarding to witness.
A rabbit grinding or chattering their teeth in a rythmatic fashion is telling you they are in heaven! Its very much like a cat purring and often occurs in relaxed rabbits who are enjoying a pleasuring head massage.
It can sound like humming in a very soft consistent tone.
Be careful to pay attention to the noises your rabbit makes. A loud tooth grind without any rythem is an indication that your rabbit is in pain. It is relatively easy to tell the difference in the sounds if you have heard both.
Rabbits lick you because they love you. I have often questioned that the rabbit is licking me for salt but when offering salt mineral licks to my rabbits that licked me the most, i found they rarely if ever licked the salt licks but would still frequently lick me. Also some of my rabbits will lick me, but not other people.
A rabbit grinding or chattering their teeth in a rythmatic fashion is telling you they are in heaven! Its very much like a cat purring and often occurs in relaxed rabbits who are enjoying a pleasuring head massage.
It can sound like humming in a very soft consistent tone.
Be careful to pay attention to the noises your rabbit makes. A loud tooth grind without any rythem is an indication that your rabbit is in pain. It is relatively easy to tell the difference in the sounds if you have heard both.
Rabbits lick you because they love you. I have often questioned that the rabbit is licking me for salt but when offering salt mineral licks to my rabbits that licked me the most, i found they rarely if ever licked the salt licks but would still frequently lick me. Also some of my rabbits will lick me, but not other people.
Once bitten, twice shy.
![Picture](/uploads/1/1/5/9/11594878/7078529.png?447)
http://bunniez.hubpages.com
/hub/When- Bunnies-Attack-What-To-Do -When-Your-Rabbit-Bites
Sometimes being bitten by your rabbit isn't such a bad thing. Ideally you don't want your children being bitten and I can't stress enough how a rabbit is not the best pet choice for children. If your rabbit bites you, you probably deserve it. A rabbit will bite out of fear or frustration. There are many signals a rabbit will give off to tell you its not comfortable. Forcing the issue and making the bun even more uncomfortable and stressed if why you may end up with a very painful bite wound.
Distraction and Discipline
I believe there is no harm in disciplining young rabbits in the right situation and when several distraction methods have not succedded. If you are training your rabbit not to nip and dig at you when they are not getting their own way a high pitched shrill when they nip will let them understand 'that hurts' saying 'no' in a firm voice and placing the rabbit back onto your lap is a firm way of telling them your boss and they must submit. I can not see in any way how shouting at an animal will improve behaviour. The shrill is simply what another rabbit would do if bitten.
Playful nipping from young bunnies can also be responded to by gently pinching your rabbit on the behind. This should be done very cautiously and only when negative behaviour is very persistent. Again this is what mummy rabbit would do with a naughty baby bunny.
You should never hurt or intentionally scare your bunny in anyway, simply use body language to communicate as rabbits would amongst themselves.
Distraction and Discipline
I believe there is no harm in disciplining young rabbits in the right situation and when several distraction methods have not succedded. If you are training your rabbit not to nip and dig at you when they are not getting their own way a high pitched shrill when they nip will let them understand 'that hurts' saying 'no' in a firm voice and placing the rabbit back onto your lap is a firm way of telling them your boss and they must submit. I can not see in any way how shouting at an animal will improve behaviour. The shrill is simply what another rabbit would do if bitten.
Playful nipping from young bunnies can also be responded to by gently pinching your rabbit on the behind. This should be done very cautiously and only when negative behaviour is very persistent. Again this is what mummy rabbit would do with a naughty baby bunny.
You should never hurt or intentionally scare your bunny in anyway, simply use body language to communicate as rabbits would amongst themselves.