- Mar 7, 2008
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I've beening showing/raising/breeding rabbits for about 16 yrs now and there's three ways to handle a mean rabbit .
(1) You can try being over nice to her, handle her a lot, pet her a lot and give her small treats and "happy things" that will make her like you more. Does the door to her cage open inward toward her? (If so make it open towards you) Has she bit since day one? And is it a mean "attacking" bite or just a warning nip?
(2) If she bites you restrain her, pretty much show her that you're not going to tollerate it. Rabbits may be cute and fuzzy but they can cause a LOT of damage with those teeth! If she bites you flip her over on her back and hold her like that for a minute and repeat it every time she bites. After a while she'll understand that if she bites you she's going to end up on her back in "time out".
(3) Get a new rabbit or "cull" her. Some rabbits are flat out just plain mean. I had a buck that came out of two of my sweetest rabbits and that rabbit was the devil. He'd latch on and wouldn't let go if he got the chance. And he was a grand champion...absolutely beautiful. I tried being nice, I tried being mean back, I ignored him completely other then food, water and cleaning his cage for about 4 months. NOTHING changed his attitude so he was eventually culled because I was afraid that someday he would do permanent damage to someone. (he already got a chunk out of me)
Hopefull this post will help you. Even though the rabbit is pretty and the variety that you want you also need to decide if you want something that is going to bite you.
(1) You can try being over nice to her, handle her a lot, pet her a lot and give her small treats and "happy things" that will make her like you more. Does the door to her cage open inward toward her? (If so make it open towards you) Has she bit since day one? And is it a mean "attacking" bite or just a warning nip?
(2) If she bites you restrain her, pretty much show her that you're not going to tollerate it. Rabbits may be cute and fuzzy but they can cause a LOT of damage with those teeth! If she bites you flip her over on her back and hold her like that for a minute and repeat it every time she bites. After a while she'll understand that if she bites you she's going to end up on her back in "time out".
(3) Get a new rabbit or "cull" her. Some rabbits are flat out just plain mean. I had a buck that came out of two of my sweetest rabbits and that rabbit was the devil. He'd latch on and wouldn't let go if he got the chance. And he was a grand champion...absolutely beautiful. I tried being nice, I tried being mean back, I ignored him completely other then food, water and cleaning his cage for about 4 months. NOTHING changed his attitude so he was eventually culled because I was afraid that someday he would do permanent damage to someone. (he already got a chunk out of me)
Hopefull this post will help you. Even though the rabbit is pretty and the variety that you want you also need to decide if you want something that is going to bite you.
