Doesn't like me?

[Randi]

I am in the process of adopting a rabbit from the HRS. I chose which one I liked the most (and a couple of others I may like to meet in case it doesn't work out with her) on Monday, and I went back to spend time with her outside of her cage tonight. She did let me pet her head for a bit, but her ears didn't go completely flush to her head like they did the first time, and a few times she turned her back to me. When she would start to climb off the side in the couch and get in to something, I would go to ease her back on to the couch, and she jerked away from me. I felt like she got tired of being pet because she would kind of fling her head away a few times, and once she even pounced her two front feet on my hand.

So, my assumption is that she doesn't like me very much, which is surprising because she gets along with everyone so well. Maybe it just isn't "meant to be." If I get the same reaction when I go back on Friday then I will certainly spend time with some other buns and see if I can elicit a different, hopefully more positive reaction.

 

[elrohwen]

Honestly, the majority of bunnies don't like to be held on laps and would much rather explore. You might have caught her at a time when she wanted to run around and get energy out and you trying to hold her back just made her frustrated.

It's up to you whether you want to pick another bunny, but I would advise you not to set your expectations too high. She is just being a normal bunny and normal bunnies won't always want to be petted or held on a lap. Bunnies can be very affectionate, but it's often on their terms, when they are ready. If you expect too much of the bunny you adopt, you may end up disappointed.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

we have had only one in 30 that was a lop bunny and loved to be held. Most will come to you when they want attention. Very few like being held or even tolerate being picked up at first. We look at other behavior. We have a couple very large rabbits and it's so funny to see them binky and jump around like the smaller bunnies we have. Everything does take time and patience.

 

[Flash Gordon]

first impressions of a bun are very seldom accurate.

 

[farmerchick]

honestly, my rabbits personalities when i "picked" them weren't what they are now...

out of my 4, 2 of them went from being super friendly and happy to wanting to be left alone and looked at but not picked up they will only let me pet them when they feel like it. the others were super angsty and anti human in the begining but have since turned into the most loving easy handled rabbits

i'm a strong believer that "personality" and disposition has a lot to do with the bunny slave lol

 

[feather78]

I completely agree with what everyone else said. Both of the rabbits I have had hated being picked up. My first bunny was very affectionate when HE wanted to be. My bunny now is the same way. He will let me know if he wants to be pet. I'm only "allowed" to pet him if he sniffs my hand and uses his nose to push my hand on his head. If I try to pet him before he does this, he will hop off. He loves being around us, he'll come out of his hiding spots when he hears people, but he only wants to be pet and given attention when it's ok with him. Plus, both of my bunnies took a long time to warm up to me. It took a while before they trusted me and let me pet them. When she is at the shelter, she is not acting the same as she would in a house where she has been for awhile and trusts the people around her.

I wish you best of luck in finding a bunny!

 

[Randi]

Thanks so much everyone! I didn't get to spend too much time with her so I'm trying not to make a snap judgment. It's just that everyone says she is so sweet, and everyone there pets her and picks her up with complete ease, but then I barely pet her and I get all of this negative feedback from her.

I'm mostly just worried about her being miserable with me. I want to adopt a bun who likes me and who will like being around me. I'd rather her go to another family who she would like, if she doesn't like me. I'm going back to see her again though once the weather is better so I'll get a chance to sit with her again.

I would still like to sit with other buns as well, though, just so I can get an idea about what is common bun behavior since this I'm a first time adopter. I've read a ton about what different behaviors mean, but it doesn't really mean anything until you're sitting with a bun and get to know them.

I'll update with whatever ends up happening!

 

[maxysmummy]

don't make a snap judgement

even if she's not a totally cuddly lap bunny, you will love her for who she is, that's the beauty of rabbits, so few of them fit the stereotype of what a rabbit should be like (cuddly and affectionate 100% of the time)

the best part is watching how they react.

Wolfgang is like the most anxious person you'll ever meet - except on speed. he's so jittery and easily frightened but thats one of the main reasons we love him.

 

[Randi]

Oh I have no doubt I will love her with all of my heart - I just don't want her to have to live with someone she dislikes.

 

[elrohwen]

Trust me, she doesn't dislike you! She's just nervous and you're a new person to her. I don't think a bunny is likely to make a snap judgment about you and decide she randomly hates you. If you're a nice kind owner to her (and feed her lots!), she'll love you. She was probably just in a mood, or she doesn't like you picking her up because she can tell you're not as confident as the people at the shelter. Bunnies can smell fear and won't let you pick them up if they know you're nervous about it.

 

[Randi]

That definitely makes sense! My heart was racing when I tried to pick her up! I went back last night and spent THREE hours with her. The shelter coordinator showed me how to pick her up appropriately, and I was able to pick her up, but when I put her down she was fussy. Then she got fussy when the coordinator tried to pick her up!

Since this will be my first rabbit I have decided to sit with some other buns, just so I can make sure to get the best fit for me. I will be going back next week, and may even get to sit with a bonded pair of lops. I hope to have made a decision soon!

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

Is she fixed?

An unfixed doe can have some attitude issues. And just some rabbits don't like being held. I've some rabbits that are cool with me, but hate to be held.

Ive rabbits that constantly stomp their feet after I pet them. But they don't mind being held.

Rabbits don't make sense sometimes. If you like her, get her. She'll get used to you. The people at the rescue are the ones that feed her, that makes a difference at the moment.

 

[Randi]

Thanks for the reply. Fortunately, all of the rabbits at the HRS are already speutered.

All I hear every time I am there is about how sweet she is, and how everybody loves her. She is definitely one of the favorites, for sure. For some reason, we just do not click. I don't know why, but we don't. And that is fine.

I am excited to sit with other buns and find a better fit for me. I shouldn't expect my first sitting with my first bun to automatically be a perfect fit, and I do realize that it might take a few buns to find one with which I click.