Confused

Melchy · Aug 29, 2012

I have a 1 year old dwarf holland lop mix. He is very cute and sweet. Sometimes thought I don't know if he likes me much. I read the entire blog about bunny behavior and found some interesting facts to how I think my bunny may feel about me. From what I read I think he likes me and has bonded, but then there are moments when he starts breathing really fast and just lays in one spot and doesn't respond to anything I do. He also tries to dig a lot and runs around like he is looking for something. Or he pushes his head at my hand or side. Sometimes even bites for no reason and startles me. I am taking him to he vet soon for a check up to see if he is healthy to get neutered.
Could he be acting weird because he isn't neutered? Any tips would be awesome!

Ellie · Aug 29, 2012

A lot of weird behaviour is usually just because of being neutered or not.

But, Buster is neutered and does all this too..

Not too sure what to think, sorry!
From what I've read though, pushing his head at your hand is a sign that he wants pets. So that means he's bonded enough with you to want you petting him

Melchy · Aug 30, 2012

This is why I am confused cause I pet him and then he runs away or bites me suddenly or digs and then lays down and pants like he ran a marathon. Silly bun bun.

LakeCondo · Aug 30, 2012

If the bites are just nips, he doesn't know they hurt us furless creatures. Just make a yelp & gently push his head down a little, which indicates you are dominant.

The nips & pushing you with his head means he wants something, but who knows what. The one thing I've been able to figure out that Honey wants is playing with a sheet of brown packing paper. She likes me to throw it over her head so she can find her way out from under it.

nc_bunnys · Aug 30, 2012

Remember that the bun is in charge:biggrin:. You pet when bunny wants to be petted. When bunny has had enough petting, they will let you know. Just like LakeCondo said, gently push the head down & make a noise. Use the same noise every time for naughty behavior or a "No".

I'm a firm believer in spay/neutering bunny!

Imbrium · Aug 30, 2012

LakeCondo wrote:

If the bites are just nips, he doesn't know they hurt us furless creatures. Just make a yelp & gently push his head down a little, which indicates you are dominant.

The nips & pushing you with his head means he wants something, but who knows what. The one thing I've been able to figure out that Honey wants is playing with a sheet of brown packing paper. She likes me to throw it over her head so she can find her way out from under it.

the head trick works quite well 'cause it's how mama bunnies would discipline a baby bunny who was acting up, so they know it means "knock that off!" I do it to Nala whenever she's acting up and she settles down pretty quickly.

my holland lop, Gaz, will come up and head-butt my hand like she wants pets but when I reach out to pet her, she usually darts off. I think it's just her way of saying "hi" and giving me a little nuzzle more than an attempt to elicit a response.