Doesn't like being held

[Cooper]

Hey,

I'm new on here so figured I'd ask a question about my bunny. (please bare with me if it sounds stupid)

I've had him for 2-3 months now and he HATES being held. He wasn't held by his breeder so hated being held whenever I tried to hold him. It's now 2-3 months on and I still can't hold him. He properly freaks out and starts breathing like crazy so I've stopped trying recently because he would get super distressed. He loves fuss and attention and always comes out to see me and follows me around the garden (he's an outdoors rabbit) but just won't be picked up.

Does anyone else have this problem? Should I just stop trying to hold him and settle for giving him fuss and no cuddles? Any advice would be great!

Thanks!

 

[Jackalope]

My Flemish Giant hates to be held too. Loves to be pet and groomed, super friendly...just don't pick him up. Lots of buns are that way from what I have read. It stresses them out because the survival instinct kicks in.

 

[StormyB]

If you must pick him up, support his rear end as you lift him. I found all of my three are bit more okay being lifted if their hind legs aren't just dangling.

 

[TinysMom]

Years ago, when I first got Tiny, he hated to be held. He was a flemish giant that had been largely left in a cage by his breeder. He wasn't show quality so he wasn't worth messing around with.

By the time he died a few years later - he was a cuddlebug. He loved to be held and petted (as long as I was sitting on a couch or bed or floor and he felt secure). The trick I used with him - and that I've used with others over the years....was to give him playtime and then I would lay on the floor and read a book. I'd lay there for an hour or more...and let him get used to my presence and being around me. After a while - he learned to come and lay down beside me. At one point, he would lay on top of me.

But he had to get used to my presence and get to the point where he could trust me. Once he did that and once he learned that when I picked him up to hold him, his feet would be on a firm surface where he wouldn't have to worry - he became more of a snuggler.

Good luck to you.