Baxter! Growing up..

[juliew]

This morning much to my dismay Baxter! leaped over his bunny gate! Now the gate is 32" high and he using it as a hurdle! I then put the box that it came in over the top ofthe gateadding another approximately, 3 inches - he then, jumped to the top grabbed hold of the side and pulled himself over! He is now outside on the upstairs patio (10 ft high walls - pretty sure he can't get out of there).. I don't know what I'm going to do with him tonight?! He may just have to sleep in his Bunny Hutch (3ft high by 4ft long by 2 ft wide)... Its not the most portable thing, butthe tempgets down to about 48/50 degree's outside at night and its just seems to cold for him to be out there - or am I wrong? Any suggestions on how to build a better bunny trap appreciated.

Gotta give him credit for achieving his escape and happy to see him so healthy as opposed to when I found him and couldn't jump over a 1 ft high box..

 

[juliew19673]

Weird - my Avatar and full name didn't show on the last message..

 

[Flashy]

Could you bring his hutch inside?

How did your cat react to him jumping over the gate?

If you put him out in that, after he has been used to being inside, he would probably be very cold.

Could you maybe go and get a big cheap dog crate or something?

Also, you have two different accounts and you posted on one and then the other. The admin can merge them if you ask really politely and present chocolate goods.

 

[juliew19673]

Your right, I was using a separate computerthan my laptop (will offer the chocolate to the necessary web God); and, Yes I could bring in the hutch - he can't run around in it is all - but thats ok forthe night.. Tbone (cat) wasso surprised that he made it over the gate that she didn't react; the 2nd and 3rd time she was sleeping; perhaps it may be better if he is in the bedroom in the Hutch then at least, Tbone can get nose to nose with him and I'll be able to see if she is getting any more accepting of him.

I think I'll try to go find those NIC cubes tonight. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Flashy]

That's a good idea about having the cage in your room and seeing how him and the cat get on. You could also introduce them carefully and see how she reacts, but be prepared to whisk Baxter! away if she looks like she might attack.

 

[Flashy]

Oh and if you post in the Chat about the Forum forum with both your accounts names and ask them to merge them for you, whilst offering the appropriate chocolate, they should be able to sort that out

 

[juliew19673]

Thank you for all of your help Flashy - I truly appreciate your guidance..

 

[Bo B Bunny]

LOL! Tony jumps too! It's funny cause some really do a lot and others just don't bother.

 

[juliew19673]

UPDATE: I came home tonight with 2 "banker boxes" from work and put the childs gate on top of these (height now at 40 inches).. Put Baxter! back in "his" hallway and I think I have successfully "thwarted" (sp?) him from escaping. He's not very happy about it; I know he truly wishes to run free.

So next question, if I can successfully " bond" he and Tbone the 19 year old cat - what do I do about the electrical wires in the bedroom where he could hang out during the day when I am at work? There are many I could just uplug and put up so that he can get to them - but the whole TV/Cable box/Stereo and DVD system are all plugged into one power strip that unfortunately is plugged into an outlet at bunny height.. Is there a product out on the market that is "bunny impenetrable"?

Would really like to be able to walk through and use my closets that are in Baxter!s hallway - and give him room to run during the day. Any suggestions appreciated.

 

[Flashy]

This is the link on bunny proofing http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12079&forum_id=17

I have mostly moved my wires out the way, but the ones I haven't been able to, I have a wire protector wrapped around them. It's like a tough plastic tube that the wire goes in.

 

[Flashy]

Oh and I just wanted to say, don't be surprised if he decides to jump the new creation, the jumper rabbits I have will tackle anything. Mine can jump over 4ft when they really want to. They are smaller buns though so don't know if Baxter! would manage that.

 

[juliew19673]

4ft?! The thought of that is frightening. Baxter! was eyeing the new barrier for a good long while - but didn't attempt to jump it; however I woke up this AM and he was seriously making his way through one of the card board boxes (chewing it). I made the mistake of moving this particular box out so that he could run around in the bedroom for awhile - then when it was time for bed I just slid it back under the gate.

Bun's I am finding out - watch - learn - remember and then execute a plan; its scarey how smart he is..

 

[Flashy]

juliew19673 wrote:

Bun's I am finding out - watch - learn - remember and then execute a plan; its scarey how smart he is..

Ha ha, it is scary, but its very funny to watch them in action with guilty faces on when they know they are doing something they shouldn't.

It sounds like Baxter! has already wormed his way into your heart. He's done a good job of that.

 

[tonyshuman]

yeah they're smart but they can't learn how to not chew on wires!! i'm without a laptop this week because of those stinkers!!:X

 

[Flashy]

tonyshuman wrote:

yeah they're smart but they can't learn how to not chew on wires!! i'm without a laptop this week because of those stinkers!!:X

But they have learnt that the forbidden 'toys' are by far the best ones to 'play' with. Or else it's just inbuilt into rabbit's genesto play with things they shouldn't.

 

[juliew19673]

Yes - he's a crafty bun and has me in love w/him.. Last night all he wanted to do was cuddle and kiss me.. Afraid to get him neutored and lose that...

 

[Flashy]

Neutering can have both good and less good effects.

I had six bucks neutered last year 1 became the most soppy thing ever, 1 stopped being vicious, but remained anxious, 1 went from being my best ever friend to a turd (but I think that was due to factors besides the neuter because lots changed at once, he also had one undescended testicle so he had a different operation), and the last 3 didn't change at all, just stopped sprayingand humping. Generally neutering improves their behaviour, but there will always be exceptions to that rule.

 

[angoragrl]

I apologize, I think I missed your introduction thread for Baxter! what is the story behind the exclamation point?

As far as neutering goes, I think the benefits outweigh the slight risk that he might not be as cuddly. Both of my boys got neutered recently and Acorn has actually calmed down some since then, Henri hasn't really changed a bit but then he was a very calm bunny before the neuter.

 

[juliew19673]

Apology not necessary.. Baxter! wasabandoned or escaped,and foundon a friends lawn one night half starved - no one came stepped up to claim him. Bax is named with the "!" as he is such a spaz; as I am a first time bunny slaveand did not know of the bunny 500 and Binkies and thought Baxter! was the only bunny on earth who could and would dosuch amazingthings (lol).. So, thats his story.

And to be clear, I will definetly have him fixed for health reasons and would never be so selfish as to not out of fear I would lose my friend.. Thanks to all for the advice.. Learn something new from him everyday..

 

[angoragrl]

Lol, luckily I had been lurking on another bunny forum and gathering information about them before I got Henri so I was already versed in the art of bunny 500's and binkies. If I hadn't been, I think I would have flipped out and thought he was dieing when I saw his first binky!