Nasty Rabbit

[Rcottle161]

Thank

well i have girl bun that was same when she was child,
she loved to destroy carpets (persian carpet and rugs are RLY expensive one) and if during this anyone tried to hold her , she jumped and bite.
this all fixed after fixing her,
today i kinda miss those days when she was teenage and had that much energy and joy,
now her fun is sit in corner all days and those chews and bites are happen very rarely.
for me they are really like humand child , they have some much energy and usually end up with game that is not GOOD and they wont listen to anyone ,
back then only thing kept her from destroying carpet was cover those corners she like , or try to play with her with toilet rolls , she will push them back ,and you keep throw it in front of her untill she forget about carpet , but yep dont even try to pick her up during her fun chewing or you end up bleeding .
but covering those corners that she target will solve problem for some time until she find another game for herself ,
but im telling you this you gonna miss This much energy from her after she became adult and fixed.
@rabbit_friend sorry to hear about your bun mine now is just like your old friend, when i start petting her she will lick my other hand and arm like its cake , SO fast and So hard
i cant even imagine one day i gonna lose her ,

Thabk you for four reply.

Glad I'm not alone with the destructive problem! As much as I hate that, it's her foul attitude I'm most worried about!

No I don't even ATTEMPT picking her up, I'm not that brave, and I ride horses! Lol

I certainly won't miss the energy, and certainly not the disgusting attitude for sure!! I just want her to be tolerable or even better a pet worth having, she's just so horrible

 

[roytaa]

Thank

Thabk you for four reply.

Glad I'm not alone with the destructive problem! As much as I hate that, it's her foul attitude I'm most worried about!

No I don't even ATTEMPT picking her up, I'm not that brave, and I ride horses! Lol

I certainly won't miss the energy, and certainly not the disgusting attitude for sure!! I just want her to be tolerable or even better a pet worth having, she's just so horrible

well maybe i love nasty xD

 

[rabbit_friend]

First, rabbits aren't ”horrible with no excuse” and “cruel for no reason.”

Second, you say it took months to turn some of your horses around, but you only talk about avoiding this rabbit, not working with her for months. And I assume hormones weren't an issue with the horses, as they are with this rabbit.

If you genuinely would like to work this out with her, then post some pictures of her setup and the room she's allowed in, so we can maybe spot something that is triggering her. Also, I never picked up my aggressive bunny because I wanted to do everything possible to make her feel secure around me. I would put her carrier in front of her and gently urge her into it (using a low fence made of grid squares to corral her if necessary). You have to always, always keep in mind that these are prey animals and so they see things very differently from other animals.

As for the hormones, they are a powerful driving force. My previous large girl bunny was a stray a colleague found in her yard, and when she hit puberty she was unstoppable. She jumped up on a high bed and tore a very expensive duvet cover. She circled my feet, growling and nipping, and tore a couple of longish skirts I was stupid enough to wear around her. I found her in our fireplace one day—she had found her way through the mesh curtain and jumped up on top of the gas logs. I have a picture of that and the camera gave her red eyes, which I thought was appropriate But I understood it was hormones, and youthful mischief, and it all changed after her spay.

But one thing I never did was think about or talk about these two aggressive, large bunnies the way you do about yours. Honestly, with the way you talk about her, your feeling about just “burning” more money on her, and even the title you chose for this thread, I would find a rabbit rescue to take her in immediately so that they can spay her and start her on a better path. Trying to rehome her to someone else who may react the same way and balk at the cost of spaying her will just doom her to a miserable life.

 

[rabbit_friend]

I will add that my vet of many years recently quoted me $500 for a neuter (which you know as a vet nurse is cheaper than a spay). I found a low-cost spay/neuter clinic two hours away that charged $70 ($110 for a spay), which I would gladly have driven to, but then also found a local mobile vet who charged $140. So if you aren’t concerned about it leading to hurt feelings at your workplace, I'd check around. Call vets asking if they know of low-cost spay options for rabbits or if they do them. A specialty exotics vet I use 2 hours away was the one who told me about the $70 clinic, after 6 other vets said they didn't know of any. But do be sure it is someone who is proficient at and knows about rabbit surgery—a traumatized or injured rabbit after a spay will only make matters worse! Good luck.

 

[Rcottle161]

First, rabbits aren't ”horrible with no excuse” and “cruel for no reason.”

Second, you say it took months to turn some of your horses around, but you only talk about avoiding this rabbit, not working with her for months. And I assume hormones weren't an issue with the horses, as they are with this rabbit.

If you genuinely would like to work this out with her, then post some pictures of her setup and the room she's allowed in, so we can maybe spot something that is triggering her. Also, I never picked up my aggressive bunny because I wanted to do everything possible to make her feel secure around me. I would put her carrier in front of her and gently urge her into it (using a low fence made of grid squares to corral her if necessary). You have to always, always keep in mind that these are prey animals and so they see things very differently from other animals.

As for the hormones, they are a powerful driving force. My previous large girl bunny was a stray a colleague found in her yard, and when she hit puberty she was unstoppable. She jumped up on a high bed and tore a very expensive duvet cover. She circled my feet, growling and nipping, and tore a couple of longish skirts I was stupid enough to wear around her. I found her in our fireplace one day—she had found her way through the mesh curtain and jumped up on top of the gas logs. I have a picture of that and the camera gave her red eyes, which I thought was appropriate But I understood it was hormones, and youthful mischief, and it all changed after her spay.

But one thing I never did was think about or talk about these two aggressive, large bunnies the way you do about yours. Honestly, with the way you talk about her, your feeling about just “burning” more money on her, and even the title you chose for this thread, I would find a rabbit rescue to take her in immediately so that they can spay her and start her on a better path. Trying to rehome her to someone else who may react the same way and balk at the cost of spaying her will just doom her to a miserable life.

Maybe they aren't cruel for no reason, but I have dealt with animals who are qnd she sure seems like it.

Also yes I have worked with horses for months including hormonal mares, I am aware hormones can play a big part bit part of my original question was how strong they are in severe cases with rabbits. I have known mares that hardly change through a season and mares you dare not work with in this time. I have spoken of avoiding her rather than working with her as it is the truth, I didn't come to be shamed for avoiding her and have been reassured that this could very well have been the best option while her hormones were running rampant.

I could upload photos but as I have been advised she is down to her own smaller private area and run so while she is restricted I don't see much point until she has been spayed and I can rule hormones out for good.

I am well aware of a spay cost and variation around practises, and I also knew it was something I'd have to do as part of a pet owner, yet as part of my original question was if the spay would change her that much to the point of changing her personality.

It would be burning pointless money if she wasn't likely to change because its rocky times for everyone at the moment and if the liklihood was slim of her changing then I wouldn't be able to keep her in my house any longer. Thankfully others have suggested how much spaying can change personality so we have booked her in to give her a chance.

I didnt come here to get shamed into the honesty of which I have spoken about our issue, even if I did expect a few negative replies, i wanted rehoming as a last port of call and advice as to what was causing this behaviour and whether a spay would reduce it. but if you have kept and cared for around 50 of a species, had them spayed, seen little difference then you have a demon shredding you home, limbs and not allowing you to move around the room I'm sure you'd be concerned that it wasn't hormones too. I'd count this as nasty behaviour, whatever is causing it, hence the title. I also have no problem spaying and paying the cost, but I don't want to use what little we currently have if she was just neurotic and not hormonal. I also wouldn't be taking her to a rescue as ours are at capacity it'd be private rehoming, but like I said we won't be rushing to do that thanks to the helpful experience of people on this thread, i must've been pretty lucky in my past rabbit experience.

 

[Rcottle161]

I will add that my vet of many years recently quoted me $500 for a neuter (which you know as a vet nurse is cheaper than a spay). I found a low-cost spay/neuter clinic two hours away that charged $70 ($110 for a spay), which I would gladly have driven to, but then also found a local mobile vet who charged $140. So if you aren’t concerned about it leading to hurt feelings at your workplace, I'd check around. Call vets asking if they know of low-cost spay options for rabbits or if they do them. A specialty exotics vet I use 2 hours away was the one who told me about the $70 clinic, after 6 other vets said they didn't know of any. But do be sure it is someone who is proficient at and knows about rabbit surgery—a traumatized or injured rabbit after a spay will only make matters worse! Good luck.

Thank you for this advice though, they can vary so much and even as a vet nurse I've NO idea why, some practises are CLEARLY money making, but $500?!?!? thankfully mine isn't pricey, we're just feeling the pinch with the cost of living as everyone is that I'm having to stay up and work a second job half the night too which Is making my tolerance even less expensive place to live down south uk!

 

[Rcottle161]

Hi all,
I know some of you have asked for updates so thought I'd let you know she's going this week, hopefully to a rabbit specialist rescue, we have to travel travel bit further but I think she needs some 1-2-1 time with an expert to access her suitability to be someone's pet.
Unfortunately she's got even worse over the past couple of weeks to the point we can hardly feed her, all her care has fallen down to me now.
She wad bought to be our first rabbit together in particular my partner picked him out as he's quite timid of animals so she was to help him learn some more under my guidance of course, but she's really put him off (not good when I need other pet help!) I'm heartbroken for him as he's really tried to get on with her but I just don't think she wants to be anyones pet
I had a talk with him and she's also made to somewhat hard decision to pass her on in the hopes that someone can understand why she hates people as much as she does and hopefully someone will be able to offer a home where she will be relatively left alone.
I don't know how we struck so unlucky on this bun compared to others, typical that it's only our first together! We met the parents who seemed nice enough and obviously researched into the breeder, but unfortunately it just isn't going to work out, I can't have q dangerous animal in the house no matter how big, she's scarred me and I just can't enjoy my own home.
Unfortunately this means we'll be taking a break from all rabbits for a while until my partner gains some confidence again then hopefully I will be able to talk him around to a smaller breed, until then, no rabbits for us
Anyway, that's the little update on our course of action as promised

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Wish I was close enough to help--several or our rescues came to us from "death row" at the shelter they were at as they'd been adopted and returned for bad behavior, usually biting--not nipping, but actually tearing out chunks of flesh and making people bleed. First step is to neuter, and then you train them by treating them the way an Alpha bunny would treat them rather than let them "train you". Rabbits have rabbit specific behaviors, so you can't treat them as you would a dog, cat, or horse. In the future, I'd STRONGLY suggest you get a bunny from a rescue--the people there would "know" the bunny and can match you up with a gentler one. Our last rescue, Nicky, is an absolutely sweet, happy, friendly little guy and was intact when he came to us--he'd be a perfect choice for you guys if we were closer as I did not have to go the extra mile like I had to with Cosmo and Hoppes--lost some flesh and a bit of blood--but, it took me 2 days to turn their behavior around and make them good citizens of our little republic. This is a bit of a "bummer" to me, but it sounds best that she's going to someone that has experience with problem "children". Not every bunny is a sweetie and some really go out of their way to assert dominance.

 

[Rcottle161]

Wish I was close enough to help--several or our rescues came to us from "death row" at the shelter they were at as they'd been adopted and returned for bad behavior, usually biting--not nipping, but actually tearing out chunks of flesh and making people bleed. First step is to neuter, and then you train them by treating them the way an Alpha bunny would treat them rather than let them "train you". Rabbits have rabbit specific behaviors, so you can't treat them as you would a dog, cat, or horse. In the future, I'd STRONGLY suggest you get a bunny from a rescue--the people there would "know" the bunny and can match you up with a gentler one. Our last rescue, Nicky, is an absolutely sweet, happy, friendly little guy and was intact when he came to us--he'd be a perfect choice for you guys if we were closer as I did not have to go the extra mile like I had to with Cosmo and Hoppes--lost some flesh and a bit of blood--but, it took me 2 days to turn their behavior around and make them good citizens of our little republic. This is a bit of a "bummer" to me, but it sounds best that she's going to someone that has experience with problem "children". Not every bunny is a sweetie and some really go out of their way to assert dominance.

Its a shame you aren't, we unfortunately aren't in agreat place in the UK for meeting people/socials so we don't know many people around, let alone rabbit people with more experience than me
We have previously had rescues so in the future I think you're right and we may go back, we've had some lovely ones from young but this isn't a risk I'll be wanting to take again in a hurry.
Nick sounds a real sweetheart now bless him!
Its not a decision we've taken too lightly, but after having a chat about her with my partner, I can admit when I'm beat and need help and there's only so much I can do.
she even used to play (under strict supervision of course) with our dog but she even bit him the other day getting too rough! He's a quite a wimp and weed himself and ran away and is too scared to walk through the house now, what a bully!
I know some rabbit behaviour and training etc but i am a dog/horse trainer at heart and like you say, they're very different methods and there's only so much I know about rabbits, I'm in no way an expert!
It is horrible but I think/hope we are doing right by her in offering her another chance with an expert, hopefully she'll find somewhere she can be the only pet as I feel that's what she needs so she can have all the attention!
Yes absolutely, I think it is a lot of how you treat them, but partially "luck of the draw" and I think we've just been lucky so far!
Trying to bring the partner back into the animal world with my silkie hens now in the hopes I can win back his confidence!!

 

[bright_eyes]

I hope this works out well for both you and her. Sometimes it's not a match!

I'm gonna to go against the grain here and say that in my experience, occasionally there will be rabbits that just don't have a pleasing personality. You can do everything well and still end up with a lemon. In dogs, much of their temperament and behavior is genetic (not just training) and it's no different in any other species. Responsible rabbit breeders weed out aggressive temperaments because it's often passed down. Sometimes there's a 'screw loose'. You can only do your best! Not everyone has the financial, physical, or emotional resources to handle such a challenging animal.

If you get another bunny in the future, I'd strongly recommend a neutered male. My boys have always been more affectionate than my girls and far less defensive.

 

[Rcottle161]

I hope this works out well for both you and her. Sometimes it's not a match!

I'm gonna to go against the grain here and say that in my experience, occasionally there will be rabbits that just don't have a pleasing personality. You can do everything well and still end up with a lemon. In dogs, much of their temperament and behavior is genetic (not just training) and it's no different in any other species. Responsible rabbit breeders weed out aggressive temperaments because it's often passed down. Sometimes there's a 'screw loose'. You can only do your best! Not everyone has the financial, physical, or emotional resources to handle such a challenging animal.

If you get another bunny in the future, I'd strongly recommend a neutered male. My boys have always been more affectionate than my girls and far less defensive.

Thank you for your caring comment, honestly its not something we wanted to do, we travelled a couple of hours to get a well bred nice looking girl so I didn't just go and get any rabbit!
We researched but I think we just got a bit unlucky this time
Yes absolutely parents personality does make a massive difference, but I don't know if it's because I'm more used to dogs as I train them that I think they're easier to train. If the dog is playing up he gets a firm "no" and he stops, if rabbit is playing up, ßhe gets the same and looks at me for a few seconds then carries on!

Thank you again for not making me feel horrible about how she's being and our next move, I was really starting to think that it was my fault and that it was something I'd done even though I've owned them previously!

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

Trying to bring the partner back into the animal world with my silkie hens now in the hopes I can win back his confidence!!

Good luck with the Silkies! I’ve always loved all their fluff! Do you have the bearded kind? They just look hilarious!

These are two of our Silkies Emma (white) and Puffball (gray)

 

[Rcottle161]

Good luck with the Silkies! I’ve always loved all their fluff! Do you have the bearded kind? They just look hilarious!

These are two of our Silkies Emma (white) and Puffball (gray)View attachment 62146

Thank you!
You're are gorgeous!!
Love my chickens, aren't they just the best? They're so funny I could watch them all day, the silkies look like they have fluffy pantaloons!
No we don't have bearded (yet) one is a USA from show stock called Spud and the other WAS Nessie but is now Neddie... We just had to rehome our lovely Poland boy too as the neighbours complained.
This is Freddie our Poland, Neddie in the middle (partridge colour) and spudding at the back
And bonus Spud as a lil baby
Silkies are such great pets aren't they for chickens!!

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

Thank you!
You're are gorgeous!!
Love my chickens, aren't they just the best? They're so funny I could watch them all day, the silkies look like they have fluffy pantaloons!
No we don't have bearded (yet) one is a USA from show stock called Spud and the other WAS Nessie but is now Neddie... We just had to rehome our lovely Poland boy too as the neighbours complained.
This is Freddie our Poland, Neddie in the middle (partridge colour) and spudding at the back
And bonus Spud as a lil baby
Silkies are such great pets aren't they for chickens!!

Yeah, silkies are awesome! Their like miniature Cochins! We have all our chickens used to coming to “Here chick chick chick!”, so there’ll just be a giant flock of 32 chickens (not all are Silkies) coming running. I love the baby picture of Spud!

Here is a picture of our Cochin rooster King. He’s currently around 6 years old and has one eye (the other got scratched somehow and got infected Making him blind in it). He’s the sweetest boy ever. So if you ever decide you want a little bigger kind of chicken that’s pretty much just a big Silky, I recommend a Cochin

 

[Rcottle161]

Yeah, silkies are awesome! Their like miniature Cochins! We have all our chickens used to coming to “Here chick chick chick!”, so there’ll just be a giant flock of 32 chickens (not all are Silkies) coming running. I love the baby picture of Spud!

Here is a picture of our Cochin rooster King. He’s currently around 6 years old and has one eye (the other got scratched somehow and got infected Making him blind in it). He’s the sweetest boy ever. So if you ever decide you want a little bigger kind of chicken that’s pretty much just a big Silky, I recommend a CochinView attachment 62154

Oh wow he's lovely!! We've never actually had coins, I'm looking to bulk up the flock actually so they look well worth a look they're beautiful!
Look at him eyeballing you

 

[CrazyChickenGirl]

Oh wow he's lovely!! We've never actually had coins, I'm looking to bulk up the flock actually so they look well worth a look they're beautiful!
Look at him eyeballing you

Good luck growing your flock!

 

[Rcottle161]

Well, final post on this thread, we dropped her off Sunday and I'm absolutely heartbroken. My head is telling me half of me has done the right thing, they currently have a big lop boy in so after her spay they're hoping to bond the pair. She has a lovely new area to go into too.
The other part of me thinks I should've waited it out a bit longer, I can't stop crying and there's reminders of her everywhere.
I wish it hadn't come to this but the house has calmed even over the 24 hours and the dog can enter the front room again without fear!
I didnt think I'd ever be letting any of my pets go in my life, I'm still not sure it's right but I sure hope it was the correct thing to do.
Walking away with an empty pet carrier was the worst feeling ever, probably worse than PTS. I hope she finds her feet with some expert help.

 

[overhear]

Very very rough experience but I suspect that this is much, much harder on you than it is on her. We humans have all sorts of complex feelings about our relationships. Rabbits, not so much. You did the right thing for her and for your household.