rabbit attitude

[artistal101]

ok, I've been a 'member' for a long time, but never really posted anything, so I'm not entire sure this is the right place for this. So in addition to having several chickens, I also have rabbits. One is the sweetest, very dossal mini rex, and then there is my new baby Tan rabbit, Aza. I've had her for about a year and a half, and I know that they are a very active breed (I previously own another black tan), but every since she had her babies last year, her attitude has gotten worse. For a while I have been trying to discourage her from chewing on clothes, but sitting down with her is difficult because she will now stop, and when she dose bite, she get you good. Every morning when I give her, her kibble, she grunts and lunges at the bowel, often knowing it from my hands. I love her, and she really is a sweet rabbit, but I don't feel like I can trust her when she comes looking for attention unless I keep my hand on her the whole time. Does anyone know I can work on her attitude?

 

[Sara Ranch]

Maybe she is hungry. Being a new mom can increase the need for calories.

Maybe she needs a bit more variety of food. She might be tired of the old food or might have developed a food intolerance to something in the feed.

It sounds like most of her attitude is related to food.

 

[Sara Ranch]

Oh - and what happened to her babies? Are they still with her? Grown up and given away?

 

[Bunnylady]

I don't feel like I can trust her when she comes looking for attention unless I keep my hand on her the whole time.

If you've had her for a year and a half, what you are seeing now is probably what she is - a bit feisty. I'm not sure you will ever be able to totally trust her; some rabbits just won't ever be cuddly and affectionate. The business about attacking the food bowl is a territorial display; it really isn't about either the food or the bowl. She is resenting the fact that you have your hands in her cage. She may never get over that (does have a reputation for being more territorial than bucks do; though I have had a couple bucks that would lunge at any person that just walked past their cage) you may find that removing her from the cage before you do anything in it will at least make things safer for you. If you must deal with her in her cage, keep your hands high, near the top of the cage. 'High' signals dominance to a rabbit, crouching low signals submission. Don't put your hands on her until she crouches down, then pet her. Taking her out frequently to pet her, groom her, whatever, is a good idea, just don't make the sessions long enough that she gets irritable. You want her to know that you are in charge, but that being handled is a good thing.

She may mellow with age, a lot of them do, you just need to be careful in the meantime.

 

[MyThreeDucks]

Can someone help me please!!! I just recently bought my rabbit a new harness so he can be outside and play without me having him run away.. when I put it on him, a few minutes later he started grinding his teeth and freaking out. he would not stop, so I put him back in his cage.. please help

 

[Higher Ground Rabbitry]

Can someone help me please!!! I just recently bought my rabbit a new harness so he can be outside and play without me having him run away.. when I put it on him, a few minutes later he started grinding his teeth and freaking out. he would not stop, so I put him back in his cage.. please help

You might try taking baby steps. Make sure he gets a chance to check out the new harness, smelling it all over. Maybe put it on him for just a minute and take it right back off, that sort of thing, and gradually work up to wearing it longer and then going outside. I would probably offer him a favorite treat right after putting it on so he associates it with good things. That method will probably take some time before he's ready for a walk, but maybe he won't panic in the meantime.