Lap Bunnies, Trained or Behavioral

[Troller]

I'm still training Conan on being handled, and it's going decent enough. I'm not sure he'll ever like being held but the most important this is he gets used to it happening. All I do is pick him up, I don't manipulate him like getting him on his back or checking his underside yet. Will happen though.

But, I was curious on the lap. I read about lap bunnies and was wondering if that was a trained behavior or their rabbits just happen to do that. I can get Conan to eat while on my lap or even chest, but of course It has to be a constant eating not a treat, otherwise he'll just hop off and go about his business. I want to know because if its trained, then I can keep at it but if its behavioral then I'll leave well enough alone.

 

[agnesthelion]

I think it's a little bit of both. Every rabbit has their unique personality coupled with life experiences. Agnes I've had since she was a baby so never has experienced anything "bad" from humans. So she is pretty trusting. But I also think her personality is also pretty chill. So the combination of those has allowed her to be held and handled and picked up and flipped over, I can do pretty much anything to her and she never complains
Archie was a stray so his life experiences are unknown. When I first got him it was difficult picking him up. But with training I can now pick him up and even flip him on his back. But with his personality he complains alot more. Sometimes he thumps, or scurries off and flicks his back feet at me. Most of the time he gives me his best dirty look he can muster but the point is I dont think any more training will change that about him. It's his personality. But training helped make progress for sure.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

I imagine you can train (bribe) them to do it but we have two that are naturals. Serena and Finn will stay on your lap, stomach or back indefinitely. Rub them and you have a lifetime job.

 

[MikeScone]

Natasha was a real lap bunny when she came to live with me - in fact, for a long time I couldn't get her to go do normal rabbity things in preference to sitting on my lap or lying down next to me (and peeing on me, but that's another issue). She eventually became a bit more independent, and after her spay last year she very seldom jumps into my lap to snuggle any more. So, I suspect it was mostly hormonal. It does make typing a whole lot easier when you're not juggling a bunny at the same time.

That's not to say she isn't affectionate - she loves to kiss my hands and face, and will lie on the floor next to my chair and ask for petting, and she jumps into bed with me each night and morning - but she no longer feels compelled to spend all of her time in my lap.