Bunny odd behavior maybe was abbused by previous owner need help!!!

[CountryBumpkin7]

hi i posted this earlier but didnt get much help..i have this english lop about 7 months old and i have had her for 3 to 4 months. I have let her get to know me i sit outside and read a book or do homework and all she does it sniff me then when i go to pet her she runs away and is skiddish. This has been happening since i got her. now her cage is off the ground so she goes crazy when i go to put her up. i was wondering how to get her to trust me and know im not a threat, i show bunnies in ffa and i need her to allow me to hold her and stay still. Everyone i talk to thinks she was abbused and mistreated, does that mean their is no help for her?!

p.s sorry for bad grammar and everything i was typing fast because i was busy thanks for anyone who can give me help :help:help

 

[Chrisdoc]

She is maybe just not used to people and needs to learn some social skills. You have to be patient and let her get to know you. Try spending time with her on her level on the floor, you could try ignoring her and she will probably come up to you and investigate. A couple of treats to give her or even hand feed her pellets is useful to get her to come up to you.

Some bunnies do not like to be held for long periods so you´d have to work hard on that, I´m not an expert so maybe some one else will see this and offer advice. However, having said that, two of mine were´n´t keen on being held when smaller and used to struggle furiously whenever I picked them up. They now will let me hold them for a short period but prefer to be on the ground. I have to groom one and it´s taken me a long time to get to the stage where he will stay still while I comb it. As I said, a lot of patience and taking it at their pace rather than ours. Just give her a bit of time to adjust.

 

[PaGal]

Does she lie down when out? With my bun he likes being petted but when he's feeling energetic he won't stop long enough for it. When he is being lazy then I can pet him all I want as well as when he is craving the attention.

Also I would try tempting her with hay or treats.

Mostly I think it will just take patience on your part. Some rabbits take longer to warm up.

 

[tamsin]

I would create a way for her to get in/out the cage - lower it/add a ramp/steps/tunnel. If a stranger alternatively tried to grab you and then completely ignore you then you'd be a little cautious too! Rabbits have no understanding that your lifting her to help her back to the cage.

 

[Blue eyes]

With a shy rabbit that doesn't want to be held, the one way to be sure she does NOT learn to trust you is to pick her up and force her back in the cage. It is important that she has free access back to her cage whenever she is out. In order for her to begin to trust you, she needs to feel safe. In order to feel safe, she needs easy access back to her cage (her sanctuary). Either the cage needs to be put on the floor so the door can be open or access to the cage via steps or a ramp needs to be set in place.

It is not advised to force her out of the cage or back in. When it's time for her to be out for exercise, the cage door should be opened. That way she can come out when she feels safe. She can hop back in when she's nervous. When she does approach you to sniff you or even to put her paws on you, just let her. Don't try to pet her -- at least not for awhile. If you reach to pet her each time, then she'll just be afraid to approach. Treats do help.

I don't think her behavior is any definitive indication of past abuse. Some rabbits simply don't tolerate being held. Others take much longer than others to learn to trust.