Attitude

[PL-Reef]

As some of you know I just bought 2 Dutch last week. Since I brought them home I've given them an nice peaceful environment to settle in to. I figured they might be stressed out from the move so I made sure they both got some nice treats as well. I've been trying to handle them in the last few days and look them over. The buck (Woody) is scared of his own shadow and thumps his foot at first sight of me. Now the doe(Twix) is a mean little...... When I put my hand into the cage to grab her she bats at my hand with her pawsand grunts like she wants to take a piece out of my hand.Though I'm able to grab her quickly and gether to pose.

So my question is how do I get them to relax and trust me?I have other rabbits here that I've never had a issue with. If I'm having trouble with them here at home, how will I be able to trust them on the judges table?

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

May I ask, were they outdoor rabbits before, and you brought them into a house? or visa versa.

I could see that causing a rabbit to be very skittish.

For now, I dunno if I would try to get them to pose. Maybe sit somewhere with them in your lap for say 15 minutes to start out and just pet and talk softly to them. Generally slow and quiet is soothing to all animals.

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

n/m bout the house question. You have other show rabbits so I'm assuming not house lol.

 

[elrohwen]

It seems that plenty of rabbits, especially females, tend to be cage aggressive. At the bunny shelter there are more than a few (all spayed even) who just do not like when I stick my hand in the cage to clean it. So this isn't necessarily a strange behavior. Is she ok once you get her out? If so, it's probably just her being territorial of her space. You can try wearing heavy gloves and sticking your hands in without flinching and eventually she may learn that her behavior does not make you leave her cage.

 

[PL-Reef]

They were out in a barn when I bought them and there in the same type of environment now. I'm going to keep working with them and hopefully build a bond/trust soon. Kill em with kindness.

They both still look scared when out of the cages. Very tense. But she isn't trying to claw at me.

 

[fuzz16]

can you give them some run time..i know breeder cages arnt the biggest so maybe get a covered run and that might help with the doe
the buck may just need time

 

[bearbop]

My sister had to dutches, now we opnly have one because we sold the black and white male, Romeo we still have the brown and white named juliet, she is really sweet but very skinny. dont know why. well u should try to feed them out of your hand, pet them and talk to them slowly. u can play a radio in the barn to get them ready for different noises

 

[irishbunny]

Could she be pregnant? I have two does who were both like that when pregnant, and really friendly when they aren't. She could also be just generally like that

 

[Blaze_Amita]

i had a rescued dutch doe that would attck anyone if it wasn't me. SHe did attack me at first, but i would give her a gentle thump on the nose each time she tried and eventually she learned if she didnt want that little thump she'd settle down and let me pick her up and I could play with her, I never did get her over attacking others because she got ill and I had to put her down.
Put try saying No gently and tapping her nose. That might work

 

[PL-Reef]

I've been trying to get face time with them in the last few days. The buck is getting better. He's still scared of his own shadow but he is starting to warm up to me. ALOT LESS thumping coming from him.
I haven't really got anywhere with the doe. She still backs up in the same corner and grunts at me. I figured if I put my hand up to her and give her a good petting EVERY day she will eventually realize that I'm not a threat.

 

[Blaze_Amita]

how is it going?
Is she settling down?

 

[PL-Reef]

Slowly. I've been hand feeding her the last few days.

 

[bearbop]

good job for sticking with t