need help rabbit

[crazy for chicken]

I have this rabbit and I do not know what to do with hir she is mean and bits. She is a lion head and she is almost 2 years old and I payed like $60 she has papers and every this I just love she has all the right markings and my kids want to show at the fair this year but how can I break her of biting ???

 

[gumpsgirl]

It sounds to me like she hasn't ever really been handled much and needs to be tamed. At first, it might work out best if you are the one to try and do the handling to try and show her that people aren't going to hurt her. She's biting out of fear and you need to show her that there isn't anything to be afraid of. Kids can be a bit rough with animals, thus my reason for suggesting you to work with her to start with. Offer her treats and try to hold her in a quiet atmosphere. If the kids are all gathered around and making lots of noise (that's how it would be here at my house

) then it won't help matters. Remember, treats and quiet atmosphere. Good luck! She's a pretty rabbit.

 

[crazy for chicken]

 

[gumpsgirl]

Yeah, I know! All of the extra time on your part will be worth it in the end though.

 

[Bridget399]

If you have a dog or cat, your rabbit may smell their scent on your hands when your trying to handle her. She may smell it and feel threatened. Maybe wash the scent off? Just a thought.

 

[crazy for chicken]

no dog or cat in my house like them but no thanks

 

[texasgal]

There are a couple reasons rabbits bite .. Some will bite if you have any scent on your hands .. food, other pets, etc.

Some will bite out of fear.

Some will bite as a tool to show displeasure. I had a buck that would bite when I was restraining him for nail clipping .. he just wanted me to let him go.

Then there are the "mean biters" .. they will lunge at the front of the cage, grunting, and rip a hole in your arm .. LOL.

Is she breaking the skin? .. because she certainly could. Is she growling at you? 'cause that's just mean .. lol.

I've usually won mine over with treats that they like, or petting them in the cage and then taking them out for treats in a bowl (if you don't want to feed by hand) ..

Both my 'biters' are now my most friendly rabbits.. meeting me at the cage door (NOT grunting and with teeth bared)

Time and patience .. understand WHY she bites. Does she want to be left alone? Are the kids pestering her? Is she being held properly?

What does she GAIN by biting .. does she get left alone? Do they let her go?

(Kinda like raising kids, huh?)

 

[rebecca100]

Sometimes giving them a toy they can take their aggression out on helps. I give mine an empty tuna can minus sharp edges and let them bang it around at night.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Will spaying her help?

 

[clickie]

I hope your bunny becomes nice. I have one, that bites and growls, etc. My small animal vet was allergic to rabbits and said that even if she spayed her, the bunny will still be mean.