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I just got my bunny a week ago, but it is afraid of me. It won't come within 5 feet of me, so nothing about me gets implanted in her brain except that I'm scary. I can barely pet her or give her carrots unless I trap her, but then she all nervous and afraid. It doesn't seem lik she'll get used to me. She barely knows my smell, and if I get her to sniff my hand out she bites it or jumps at it which scares me and i jerk my hand back and she hates fast movements, she doesn't know my voice because if I talk she gets scared, she doesn't know my look because shes always under my bed were its dark so she can't see me, the only thing she knows is that I'm scary.

WHAT DO I DO?!?!?!?!?!? I want I bunny thats fun and I can play with, what's the point of a bunny who just sits there, runs from you, isn't playful, and bites people? I need big time help.

Please help
Alex

2007-12-18 12:54:51 · 5 answers · asked by Alex N 1 in Pets Other - Pets

5 answers

Calm down! You've only had her a week; give her some time to get used to you. ;)

Was she handled from a very young age [one week and onwards] by her breeder? If not, it's going to be difficult for you to tame her, but not impossible. First off, I see a couple things you're doing wrong- Do NOT trap a scared rabbit to pet it or give it treats. I know it's in your best intentions, but all that is going to teach the rabbit is that you are a scary human who is going to trap her up.

Give her a week or two to just chill in the cage; some rabbits need a little longer than others to get used to their new homes. Don't let her out if she's just going to hide, because then you're going to have to dig her out, and that's just going to scare her more. Do not physically remove her from her cage; open the cage in a bunny-proof room [all wires removed, small spaces such as under the bed blocked off, etc] and let her come out on her own terms. Her cage is her den, and reaching into it is invading her privacy and home. While she's out, fill her bowl with veggies [if she's younger than 4 months, you can feed her a little sugar-free cereal or bread instead, as veggies is bad for rabbits that young], and leave it in her cage. When you need to get her in, "herd" her in saying "Time to go in" or something like that. She'll go into her cage, see the treats, and associate "time to go in" with veggies.

Once you've got the going in and out of the cage thing down, sit in a room with her with a handful of treats. If she comes near, offer her some, but don't force her into anything. Eventually, curiosity should get the best of her and she'll at least come over, in which case you can offer her veggies. As she eats them form your hand, say her name over and over- that will help her associate her name and your voice with good things. If she lets you, you can pet her while feeding her treats. Don't make loud noises around her, and don't jerk out at her suddenly; scaring an already-scared rabbit is not going to help anything.

Where did this rabbit come from? Was she abused in the past? If she was abused, or if she was just never hand-tamed, it may be very difficult for you to get her used to you. Another thing could be she has a behavioral problem [which may be likely because of the biting]; that may be nearly impossible to overcome.

I highly suggest buying a few books on house rabbits- those often have great advice on rabbit taming and handling.

Good luck!

2007-12-18 16:37:27 · answer #1 · answered by Loptastic 3 · 0 0

Put your bunny in a room with you... sit on the floor and do your own thing... I promise that she'll come near you after an hour or so... they are really curious and will eventually "investigate" things near then... have some dried cranberries or other treats near you to give her as she comes close... do not try to catch her as she comes near... do this several times a week and pretty soon she'll become more accustomed to you... don't give up. It'll be a while before she trusts you and even then she might not let you pick her up (mine hate it). Good Luck!

2007-12-18 14:04:20 · answer #2 · answered by chick_n_atx@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0 0

Unlike dogs and cats, you have to earn your rabbits trust. I know this from personal experience. It can take months for a rabbit to learn that you mean it no harm. Rabbits really aren't friendly, I have three that I have handraised and they they prefer to hang out with each other rather than me. It will take work to get her to trust you. For one, don't try to trap her in order to pet her or pick her up, just sit on the floor and ignore her. Try doing this every day for fifteen minutes to an hour. At the same time, you can also try to give her treats like carrots or other safe vegetables, but try putting them on the floor and letting her come and get them without you reaching for her This will help alot. Keep talking to her though! But talk softly and quietly.

2007-12-18 13:03:32 · answer #3 · answered by jssegrrrl 1 · 0 0

Too bad you did not buy a handraised bunny.

You made a mistake getting a wild one but you now have the answer how to tame her. One - she does not get a carrot unless she comes to you. She should NOT have the run of the house, but have her own cage.

Remember, rabbits are not the smartest mammals on the planet.

2007-12-18 13:07:59 · answer #4 · answered by Owlwoman 7 · 0 1

Your bunny needs to get used to you so it can trust you. Try not to scare it too much but give it lots of TLC. Hope this helps! :)

2007-12-18 15:04:55 · answer #5 · answered by Girl 4 God 3 · 0 0

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