Bonding

[fribble2110]

Hello there!

I have had my first bunny for about a year now. I got him when he was around 8 weeks, he is an adorable little guy but sadly has no interest in me what so ever. He has plenty of toys and space to run around. I try and play with him but he just hops away. When i try and take him out of his cage, i always pet him first with a carrot in my hand but he always flattens like a pancake. Being semi new to the rabbit world, is there any games or anything that i can play with him that will make him more willing to play!

Thank you!!



oh and he is also a lionhead cross.. i think maybe a rex! thank you

 

[juliew19673]

I'm not sure what type of "play" your expecting him to do? Mine do not play with me, they will play with each other; they love for me to pet them and I have a great time watching them romp about. Anything that they can toss (toilet paper roll cardboard, small boxes, balled up newspaper).

If your really trying to interact more one on one with your bun you could try "clicker training" him - teach him some tricks and make up an agility course; google this and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Also when your taking him out of his cage and he may just be signaling to you that he want you to pet him (nose rubs); if he's lowering his head that their way of say "PET ME".

 

[foreverblue127]

My rabbit was standoffish when we got him. Here's what I did: I go sit in his area. Then I pick he up and put him in my lap and pet him. Usually he starts licking me and grinding his teeth. Then when he is done getting loved on he gets down. He seems most playful after that.I tickle his cheek and say " I am going to get you bun bun." something about that he loves. He shakes his head and binkies all over. He lets me do it several times.
I think the best thing you could do is just be in his area. Let him come up to you and pet him. Do this 15 minutes at a time. Eventually he will get used to you being there and come up to you more. And let you pet him longer. Don't pick him up to often.Sit on the floor with him and hold him. Do not carry him around.Have you tried playing hide and seek with him? Or run around and let him chase you? My daughter lays on her back and the rabbit jumps over her legs, over and over. Our rabbit absolutely plays with us. So keep trying and have Patience. Good luck!

 

[jfinner1]

When I got my my Xenos, I treated him like I did my cats... He plays fetch, when he feels like it. I get down on my hands and knees and we play chase, I chase him, then pound my hands on the ground, and he chases me, etc. However, I've found that the new bun, Salvataggio, doesn't like this at all... So I'm beginning to think Xenos was just raised funny, lol. He gets scared when I toss toys for him, and hide when I pound on the floor, and hates the chase game... So I'm looking for new ways to play too! I've tried sitting on the floor with him and waiting for him to come to me, but he ignores me... Maybe he's just not comfortable around me yet. I've only had him for 2 weeks, and I haven't seen him binkie yet...

 

[elrohwen]

Flattening into a pancake when you pet him is a great sign! That means he's loving the pets you're giving him - if he didn't like it, he would leave.

And it's true that rabbits don't necessarily play like a dog or a cat would. My bunnies like doing tricks - teaching tricks can be a great way to bond. Mostly mine just like to hang out, come over to see me, get some pets, etc.