Bunny with trust issues

[cupycakeily]

I got my bunny a month ago. It looks like he's at least part dwarf (that's him in my avatar pic), but the person I got him from said they aren't sure. He's neutered and about a year old. Anyway, I'm having trouble getting him to trust me. I keep his play pen in the living room and have been sitting on the floor whenever I have the chance (everyday for at least 2 hours) so he can come up and sniff me, and I don't try to touch him or anything. I'm able to feed him from my hand, but even if I try to pet his head while he's eating, he runs away. He's had 2 previous owners, and I'm not sure what's happened with him while in their care, but the owner that had him before me said it looks like he's been scratched on one of his eyes. I'm not sure if maybe he's been traumatized in the past and maybe that's why he's so skittish and scared. I had a bunny about 10 years ago that was so mellow, that I would sit with and watch TV with on the couch, but with this bunny I know that's out of the question ):

My main concern, though, is, I know I'm not supposed to try to force anything that he doesn't want, but he's looking really scruffy and is past due to get his fur brushed. Since he won't even let me touch him, how can I take care of him and do things like comb him, clip his nails, etc? Will I just have to keep taking him to the vet until he trusts me? Or should I try to handle him more so that he'll get used to it?

 

[cupycakeily]

 

[Ellie]

My main suggestion is to just keep trying. Which I'm sure you've been doing, but as they come to see that you don't hurt them it can only get better, right?

We adopted a dog from the pound when he was 9 months old, and had been abused for his whole life (scars, bald spots, etc. all over). We could tell he was the sweetest boy though but he was SO shy. Eventually he came out of his skin and is the nicest dog. He's still afraid of everyone and everything, but he's so loving towards my family. I see the same thing happening with your bun, if he was abused.
The main thing I think is to spend PLENTY of time with them - then they'll continue to realize you aren't causing them harm. I've just noticed a huge change with me and Buster, and I've had him for a a month and a bit. But we still have on and off days.

Another suggestion I read online is to make you seem like an awesome person! This means during feeding time, getting him to come and eat from you. You can just start this by setting the bowl near you, then as he slowly gets more trustworthy begin to bring it up onto your lap, etc.

Good luck!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Time, patience, and creativity. You still need to handle your bunny or else nails grow too much and coat will look like heck. Approach slow and quite, be gentle but make sure your able to control, and try bribery with a treat or herb. Our Mini Rex, Bambi was a mess when we got her and hadn't ever been handled. Now she comes to us when called and is a very friendly little bunny. Night and day difference.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Have you tried reading out loud to the bun? I have found they really like it. It is a low pressure way for them to hear and see you. I tend to lay on the floor so their curiousity becomes too much and they run over you, try to eat the book, etc. If there are snacks next to the book that draws them in too. Then they can be in your hand. Eventually they will let you pet.

I also agree that at a seperate time you should pick them up weather they like it or not. This shows them that you are the boss but you aren't going to hurt them. You have to be able to groom them. Giving a treat after the session can help make it a positive association.

 

[Blue eyes]

A month is still a short amount of time. I got my current pair when they were about 1 yr old also. That was 4 months ago. One of them (Shadowfax) wouldn't let me pet him. It's only been recently that he's been more receptive-- so long as I don't overdo it. :wink In the morning, though, he's the bold one to come to the kitchen and beg for a treat. I'll hand feed him a little something and then he 'permits' me to pet him.

Sapphire is too shy to beg, but loves the pettings. She let's me know when she wants some lovin. It's when the two of them are both cuddled near each other that Shadow will let me sneak in some pets while I'm petting Sapphire. But he still never melts into the floor the way she does.

It's been slow, but I have been seeing progress, especially these last couple weeks. Shadow comes over to sniff me more often lately. I completely understand your dilemma, though, on trying to balance the encouraging of affection with not wanting to force it to the point they get distrustful.

On a side note, mine also were due for a nail clipping and scent gland check. And for the first time, I had a couple bunnies that wouldn't let me hold them. I was too chicken to risk destroying their trust in me, so I brought them to a local rabbit rescue that does free bunny nail clippings& check. It took 2 of them to handle each rabbit. One had to hold the bunny firmly so the othercould do theclip and gland cleaning.

I'm hoping to work up that trust so I won't have to bring them elsewhere, but for now, this will do.

 

[JessicaK]

With my super shy shelter bunnies, I found that the bunny-burrito technique works really well to help them relax. It also worked for trimming their nails.

 

[Blue eyes]

JessicaK wrote:

With my super shy shelter bunnies, I found that the bunny-burrito technique works really well to help them relax. It also worked for trimming their nails.

Yup. Tried that too. No luck. Even the rescuers were surprised at their difficulty.

 

[cupycakeily]

Thanks very much for the replies! I guess I'll just have to keep at it, hopefully he comes out of his shell sooner or later.

I finally brushed his fur the other day, and what a hard time it was trying to catch him! I wish I could approach my bunny slow, but he's so fast! I even tried to tempt him with a treat, but when he knows he's trying to be pet or caught, eating is the last thing on his mind. The minute he sees a hand coming toward him, he's outta there! He finally went into his little hay hut, where he goes when he's feeling scared, so I just had to take the whole hut with him inside, put it on the couch, and wait for him to come out. As soon as he came out, I had to remove the hut so he wouldn't go back in, and kind of hold him down so he wouldn't try to escape as I was brushing him. I tried giving him a treat to calm him down, but again, he was too scared to eat, so I gave it to him afterward. Looks like I'll have to take him to a vet to get his nails clipped for sure!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We tag team--my son holds and I clip. Just need to give time for your bunny to get used to you and settle into a routine. Persistence pays in the end.

 

[lanshan75]

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[cupycakeily]

I just wanted to give anybody who might be interested in this thread an update:
it's been a little over 2 months now since I've had my bunny, and he's letting me pet him now! Not all the time, but usually he does and he seems to enjoy it sometimes lol. I've been trying to hand-feed him his pellets now instead of leaving them in his food bowl, and that has seemed to work to make him more used to me. He's still terrified of being picked up, but at least I don't have to chase him around the house anymore!