Getting my rabbits out from their cages without destroying our bond

[the_loud_rabbit]

Hi!
I'm having a bit of problem with how to get my rabbits out of their cage so that they can have their exercise time and I've watched videos and read articles that I should just open the cage and let them go out when they want to but the thing is my rabbit's cage is high up from the ground because their cage is outside and that we have dogs. Originally, I wanted to let the rabbit be in my room but my dad won't let me because of hair and such and so they stay outside. Now my question is how to get my rabbits out of their cage and into out garden without being seen as a predator or threat to them? Though they already see me as their food giver...

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

I don't like the idea of opening the door and letting a rabbit out of the cage with no contact. So many people with free-roam rabbits seem to say they have trouble with rabbits that don't tolerate being held or handled. Well, when you do everything with as little contact as possible - that's why!

Rabbits are inherently prey, BUT they've been domestic for decades and decades. The best way to build a bond with your rabbit is handling them. This may be difficult at first if they're not used to being carried, but the only way to get over that is to handle them more.

I raise two dwarf breeds and sometimes when I purchase a new rabbit to bring into the herd, it comes from a rabbitry that didn't handle them much. So they're used to being petted and that sort of thing, but hate being lifted. These are prime candidates for what I call "mandatory cuddle time." I carry these rabbits daily while I feed the rest. You'd be surprised how quickly they come around. They may not ever LOVE or WANT to be handled, but they tolerate it. And that's important not only for their own wellbeing, but also for my own enjoyment. Honestly, if I can't enjoy my animals, I wouldn't be so invested in their care.

Long story short, pick them up anyway. It will be okay! For particularly skittish rabbits that aren't even used to being touched/petted, I like to start by hand-feeding treats each day and go slowly from there. But in general, rabbits come around quickly. They are sociable animals and generally like attention in one way or another.

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

One thing for sure, confidence is the key. I speak from personal experience because my rabbit was not handled in her previous homes and that combined with me being scared to pick her up just adds to the issue. The last few times I've taken her to the vet for nail trims, I make a point of picking her up and holding her. I had to get the vet to show me how to safely pick her up and hold her. It was very challenging for me because I didn't know what I was doing and I was afraid of her kicking and hurting herself. Once you learn the correct way of securing their back feet and holding them to your chest, they don't struggle as much. I'm able to pick up and hold my rabbit really well at the vet because I find that she doesn't struggle as much. At home it's much more difficult because she is very unruly in her own environment. I am making progress though and it's all because I feel more confident in what I'm doing.