I have 2 false breed Netherlands dwarfs, and they are both terrified of me , one of them got out in the garage and we had to chase her around before she got hurt the other one is just scared of me. When I walk into the garage they both scatter to the back of the cage, when I try to pet the rabbit that got out she runs away when I put the other rabbit she tries to doge my hand and duck her head . Any tips on how to start a bond with my rabbits again?
My rabbit is scared of me
- Thread starter Nick
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Use treats and just sit with them, don’t force yourself on them.
Let them explore you and learn you are safe, let them come to you.
When they take the initiative to come close to you give a treat and just let them be. Maybe sit and read a book while they jump around. When they get use with you and go forward you can stroke them and give them treats.
So they associate you with something positive and nothing to be afraid of. They might not like cuddle time or just too scared but at least you can try to win their trust so you get to know their personality. Most rabbits are quite curious, even though they are scared.
Myself I have a scared mini loop bunny, he would often bite me in the beginning but now it’s really cuddly with full of energy. But he’s still the most cowardly of my rabbits.
Let them explore you and learn you are safe, let them come to you.
When they take the initiative to come close to you give a treat and just let them be. Maybe sit and read a book while they jump around. When they get use with you and go forward you can stroke them and give them treats.
So they associate you with something positive and nothing to be afraid of. They might not like cuddle time or just too scared but at least you can try to win their trust so you get to know their personality. Most rabbits are quite curious, even though they are scared.
Myself I have a scared mini loop bunny, he would often bite me in the beginning but now it’s really cuddly with full of energy. But he’s still the most cowardly of my rabbits.
Imbrium
Jennifer
To expand on what Hermelin said, it can be helpful to bond with them in a small/confined space like a bathroom, closet or exercise pen so that they're sort of forced to interact with you (rather than sit 10 feet away on the other side of the room).
The advice about reading a book is dead-on! Or watch TV, play a handheld video game, do a craft project... anything where your attention isn't on the rabbits. Act like they aren't even there and they'll let their guard down more and hopefully get curious about you. Don't reach to pet them right away when they come up, just let them sniff and get used to the idea of you. When they approach, talk softly to them in a calm and soothing voice (doesn't matter about what, you can ask them questions, tell them about your day, tell a story, whatever
). Occasionally hold out a treat and offer it to them; if they won't come all the way up to you to get it, just place it near you and resume ignoring them (over time, working up to making them eat it from your hand). Hand-feeding pellets is a good way to offer lots of "special" food without exceeding the recommended limits for treats (ie fruits/non-leafy-green veggies).
Some rabbits take longer than others to warm up; it's just a matter of patience.
The advice about reading a book is dead-on! Or watch TV, play a handheld video game, do a craft project... anything where your attention isn't on the rabbits. Act like they aren't even there and they'll let their guard down more and hopefully get curious about you. Don't reach to pet them right away when they come up, just let them sniff and get used to the idea of you. When they approach, talk softly to them in a calm and soothing voice (doesn't matter about what, you can ask them questions, tell them about your day, tell a story, whatever
). Occasionally hold out a treat and offer it to them; if they won't come all the way up to you to get it, just place it near you and resume ignoring them (over time, working up to making them eat it from your hand). Hand-feeding pellets is a good way to offer lots of "special" food without exceeding the recommended limits for treats (ie fruits/non-leafy-green veggies).Some rabbits take longer than others to warm up; it's just a matter of patience.
InkFallIng
New Member
Just some minor points I'd like to add--if you try to pet a nearby bunny and they start hopping away, don't keep trying to pet them. I've found that it usually makes buns scared, like they feel as though they can't get away. If you let them leave without making them feel chased, they're going to be more comfortable approaching you. Additionally, make sure you always approach/reach for them from the side. Their eyes are on the side of their head, so if you're coming at them from the front they may not be able to tell who you are and mistake you for a predator.
I'd also like to suggest telling them if you're doing something important (to them), especially if it's an action you have to do often. For instance, if I need to pick my rabbits up for any reason, I always say "(bunny's name), I have to pick you up!" I made the mistake of never telling my rabbits when I was going to pick them up, and accidentally ended up conditioning them to be afraid of me standing and approaching them (this was during a time a frequent vet visits), because they never knew if I was going to grab them or pet them. While the trade off is 'they know when I'm going to pick them up and will run away if possible,' I personally think it's worth gaining their trust in this way. My boys know several phrases; the ones I get the most mileage out of are the aforementioned "I have to pick you up!", "no nibbles, no digging!", and "can I pet you?" Obviously, it's up to you if you decide to go this route; I can understand why someone wouldn't want to do this.
If you ever have to discipline them for any reason, NEVER attempt to do so physically. This will teach them that humans (especially hands) = bad. Keep a spray bottle nearby, set to mist (not spray!) for any mischief. I will warn the rabbit in question usually three or so times (the "no nibbles, no digging!" phrase) before spraying them, so they know what that phrase means. Nowadays I don't even have to keep the bottle nearby, usually just warning them is enough to get them to stop.
If you're like me and are terrible at coming up with things to talk to them about, I'd like to suggest reading a book aloud
I'd also like to suggest telling them if you're doing something important (to them), especially if it's an action you have to do often. For instance, if I need to pick my rabbits up for any reason, I always say "(bunny's name), I have to pick you up!" I made the mistake of never telling my rabbits when I was going to pick them up, and accidentally ended up conditioning them to be afraid of me standing and approaching them (this was during a time a frequent vet visits), because they never knew if I was going to grab them or pet them. While the trade off is 'they know when I'm going to pick them up and will run away if possible,' I personally think it's worth gaining their trust in this way. My boys know several phrases; the ones I get the most mileage out of are the aforementioned "I have to pick you up!", "no nibbles, no digging!", and "can I pet you?" Obviously, it's up to you if you decide to go this route; I can understand why someone wouldn't want to do this.
If you ever have to discipline them for any reason, NEVER attempt to do so physically. This will teach them that humans (especially hands) = bad. Keep a spray bottle nearby, set to mist (not spray!) for any mischief. I will warn the rabbit in question usually three or so times (the "no nibbles, no digging!" phrase) before spraying them, so they know what that phrase means. Nowadays I don't even have to keep the bottle nearby, usually just warning them is enough to get them to stop.
If you're like me and are terrible at coming up with things to talk to them about, I'd like to suggest reading a book aloud
Imbrium
Jennifer
Actually, there's one good exception to the "physical discipline" rule. If a rabbit does something you don't like, put your hand to the top of their head and gently but firmly press their head down. This mimics the motion that a mother rabbit would use to discipline her kits, so they know right away that it means "I don't like what you just did!" They usually look a bit sheepish about it, like they know they did something naughty. It doesn't always work since sometimes they don't care that they're rotten, lol... but they DO understand what it means and it won't inspire them to fear your or your hands.
Talking to rabbits about what you're getting ready to do to them (or for them) is a great way to bond, though. Mine know what exactly what it means when I say "Here's your pellets, *****es!" in a sing-songy voice, lol... and they *definitely* know what 'veggies' means.
Talking to rabbits about what you're getting ready to do to them (or for them) is a great way to bond, though. Mine know what exactly what it means when I say "Here's your pellets, *****es!" in a sing-songy voice, lol... and they *definitely* know what 'veggies' means.
