Building Trust with the Bunnies

[Ms. Research]

Once I realized, after reading many posts here, that I was going in the right direction, and that I could fix my clumsy beginnings with my bunnies, my work with bonding has been showing signs of success. I've worked every day with them. They are even, now that we have given them a bigger area, still seeking me out. They will approach me, and I will try to pet, they scoot away, come around and nudge my back, I turn around and then I get to pet. It's kind of like a little game to them.

Also working with them coming when I call their name is showing some results. Kreacher, (I call my Little guy) was doing something he shouldn't. I called his name and said No. He stopped what he was doing, came toward me, I told him no again and then he binkied off in search of something else. Also with Dobby (I call my Big guy) the name recognition is working, but he's just a little bit more stubborn and I need to go and gently nudge him away with a stern but not sharp No. He shakes his head and then will walk away from the behavior that brought on the correction.

Also I have been working with handling them. Also grooming as well. When I groom, I do turn them over on their backs. Something at first they weren't pleased with but now they are getting used to it. I only do it for short periods of time. Rubbing their foreheads seem to relax them. I know this helped my little guy. He has just started doing "Bunny Flops". He puts so much momentum into it that he ends up rolling on his back and then gets scared and struggles to get up. But since I've been working the handling part and he's been relaxing in my lap when on his back, I watched in amazement when he tried his bunny flop, and wound up on his back again. This time I watch him just relax on his back, with his feet in the air and gently rolled over. No panic at all. I feel good that I helped him.

It's been a ride but a good road to go down. Building trust with any animal is something to behold. But to know that your clumsy ways can turn around with a little bit of work and knowledge from others and common sense, it's allows you to achieve those little things that make it worth while.

 

[Ms. Research]

I got my FIRST Bunny Kiss! My Big Guy gave me the best gift of all today. Coming from an animal that is hardwired to consider People the enemy, this is truly special. Hard work does have SWEET rewards!



I should edit this to say that this is the bunny I was really clumsy handling. Got well deserved scratches but his good temperment would not allow him to bite. Now that I look back, I would not have blamed him because I scared him due to my clumsiness. But Bless his Heart, he just mouthed my hand and pulled back. Since then I've been training myself, and today I got an A from the teacher!

 

[M.R. Lops]

One way to help your stubborn bunny is when you say no, clap your hand or stomp your feet, or make some kind of loud noise, that usually gets their attention. I'm glad your friendship with your bunnies is going well. Friendship with an animal that would usually consider you as a predator is very rewarding. My pet rabbit who's a mix breed who's still inside (my other are outside now in their bunny barn/shed) use to not be as friendly when I first got her. I gained her trust after a while and she's much more friendlier and tame. She use to not like being held and I always had a hard time catching her, she actually tried to attack me before. But, with time, now she doesn't mind being held or cuddled and always comes hopping up to me.

 

[Ms. Research]

One way to help your stubborn bunny is when you say no, clap your hand or stomp your feet, or make some kind of loud noise, that usually gets their attention. I'm glad your friendship with your bunnies is going well. Friendship with an animal that would usually consider you as a predator is very rewarding. My pet rabbit who's a mix breed who's still inside (my other are outside now in their bunny barn/shed) use to not be as friendly when I first got her. I gained her trust after a while and she's much more friendlier and tame. She use to not like being held and I always had a hard time catching her, she actually tried to attack me before. But, with time, now she doesn't mind being held or cuddled and always comes hopping up to me.

I'm finding that clapping my hands only makes them afraid of me because it's my hands making the noise. And regarding stomping, I wouldn't do that because that's what a rabbit does as a defense. I read another very good reply on the thread about those poor kits death. And "stomping" is what rabbits do as a defense.

I'm finding that the tone of my voice is what they react to. I don't yell but I do get the message across. They are responding to me with eye contact when I call their names and they are learning the word "No". I really hated the advise given in an article suggesting using a squirt bottle. I don't even like it when they tell you to do that to cats.

I appreciate your advise but I think my "stubborn" bun is coming around by my method. It takes time, but if my dog knows how I feel by the tone of my voice, then seeing how smart buns are, they will too.

 

[crazyturkeydesigns]

I just love this thread. There's something so awesome about getting a rabbit to trust you and respond to you in a positive way (bunny kisses!! ). You are must be doin one heck of a job! Keep us updated on how the training goes

 

[Ms. Research]

I just love this thread. There's something so awesome about getting a rabbit to trust you and respond to you in a positive way (bunny kisses!! ). You are must be doin one heck of a job! Keep us updated on how the training goes

Thanks for your kind reply. Will do. Enjoying every minute. It IS an awesome feeling having some thing come to you totally dependent on you but a bit scared and to comfort them is the reward. Every rabbit is different. To understand their personality individually is what most fail to recognize. They have their ways and you need to know how to read them. Like this morning, they were raring to go. They love to run. Last night was different. Real calm, laid around. Making like they owned the place. But still responding to their names. And that terrible word "No".

I'm learning every day. And it's been a BLAST!