My rabbit isn't warming up to humans at all :,(

[liamology]

I got two bunnies June last year, one brown one named Bubbles and another small black rabbit named Wednesday. They're both bonded so they won't ever be alone.

When I take Bubbles outside, she adores the outside, she runs and we both adore each other and she's comfortable around people. She rarely bites (when we first got her she did, but I can't remember the last time she has.) and overall has fully adapted to her enviroment.

Wednesday, on the other hand, is very anti-human. Whenever I walk into their large cage, she runs inside a carrier we leave in the cage or a mini barn we also leave in there as well. She'll let me pet her occasionally but 75% of the time she'll run inside the carrier or barn. She bites a lot, and she thumps when she enters the carrier or barn, and just doesn't like being picked up. I can't take her outside because all she does is hide under the car. She's completely comfortable with Bubbles, but whenever I'm calm and relax outside or inside their cage, she just gets pissed! And she never flops out on her side like Bubbles or relax as often as her.

I'm not sure what I can do. I want Wednesday to be happy, I don't want to just solely give my affection to Bubbles. I always make sure to pet Wednesday or give her some attention whenever I'm inside the cage, but that makes no progress. Is there something I can do? Some secret I'm not aware of or something I'm doing wrong? Any advice would be useful, thank you <3 (PS We've had them by now for 11 months, nearly a year, so I'm concerned as to why she hasn't warmed up to anyone yet. I just want her to be happy.)

 

[Abi :)]

Hey there!
Don't worry you aren't doing anything wrong some bunnies have different personalities, my bunny Bambi can be very moody and hates being picked up, but she still lets me stroke her after we bonded. I would recommend watching a few youtube videos on how to bond with your bunny (101 rabbits has a great one), I would recommend starting slow such as hand feeding so Wednesday can get used to your presence, you can place the food on your lap and sit on the floor so she has to either sit on your lap or at least come near you to reach the food. I used to do this whenever i fed my bunnies so they got used to me and had interaction during meal times, I also sit with Bambi during her play time and often give her a few treats (only small pieces of fruit not anything processed). I've also seen many people use x-pens or play pens to bond with their buns, from what I've seen they either sit or lie down in the pen with their bun in it, and stay in it for a while so the bun gets used to your presence and doesn't see you as a threat, do this regularly and your bunny shouldn't be to scared of you (however bear in mind that some rabbits are more fearful than others and this could just be due to a traumatic experience with their former owner or just because that is their personality)

As for the picking up part, almost all rabbits usually don't like being held or picked up because they are prey animals and prefer to have all feet on the ground, so don't stress about this, try to only pick her up when absolutely necessary and give her a treat after you put her down to reward her.

Flopping is also something that differs from rabbit to rabbit, some rabbits prefer to sleep in a loaf position whilst others like to flop, my old rabbit Thumper never used to flop and always slept in a loaf, its just how he was comfortable, i'm sure you aren't doing anything wrong, Wednesday probably doesn't feel comfortable that way.

And finally as for taking her outside and her running and hiding under the car, if you really want to take her outside, I would recommend taking her outside a few times in a pen so she gets used to being outside, and then see if she still runs away, some rabbits just don't like being outside due to the fact that they are prey animals. If you don't want her to run away whilst being outside I could suggest using a harness but do keep in mind the risks of using a harness (if you are interested watch Lennon the Bunny, she has a great video on it)

101 Rabbit Bonding-
Lennon the Bunny Harness-

I'm sorry this is so long! Please let me know if this helps!

 

[liamology]

This is extremely useful! I'll be checking out the videos you linked with your response, thanks for the advice <3

 

[Abi :)]

aw thanks, I really hope your bun warms up to you! <3