New Bunny

[sunbear]

Hello,
Yesterday my girlfriend and I brought home a 2 year old black Netherland Dwarf, a rescue.
He took to us fast and was very active and playful exploring the new environment.
Right now we're trying to get him accustomed to us. Last night he got spooked all of a sudden and has been avoiding us ever since.
We've been giving him space and building him things to play with, however he's spent most of his time in corners of the house this past day.
So I'm hoping we can find a way to get him comfortable with us.
Any tips from seasoned bunny owners are greatly appreciated!
We're looking forward to giving our bun the best home we can.

 

[aozora]

Do you have a hideout for him to pop into? It can be something super simple like a box with two entrances cut out of the sides (rabbits generally prefer more than one possible exit), it doesn't need to be anything fancy at all. You only need a place where he can dart into and feel safe in, because right now he's probably feeling very exposed and scared since there is no place to hide-- my rabbit does the same huddling in a corner thing whenever he's spooked by something when he's out of his pen.

Having the hideout make it easier in the long run for him to feel comfortable in his new home, especially if he knows he has a place to run to and hide in whenever the need arises. I hope that helps!

 

[Bunny Sofa]

Learn how he likes to play and reciprocate his mannerisms

 

[PaGal]

Sit in the same room as him. Talk quietly or read a book out loud. Keep some pellets with you at all times when you are in the same room as him. If he approaches you give him a pellet or two as a treat.

I don't know how active that breed is but I have a male flemmie who is going on 2 years old and he spends most of his time lying around and yes does seem to prefer corners. He is a very calm, laid back rabbit that does not spook often so I don't think with him it is out of fear.

Maybe it is possible he is laying around more now simply because he is becoming relaxed in his new home.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Time and patience work wonders. We got Hoppes, a Lion Head that had been adopted out 4 times and brought back because of "aggressive" behavior. We just talk to him and mostly ignore him while he's out and always rub his head briefly when he's getting a treat or a veggie. He now comes around and checks us out and follows us around. He may never be a lap bunny like our big girl Serena but he's 500% better than when he first came to us, and is getting friendlier all the time

 

[Chrisdoc]

Same here, give him time. Netherland dwarfs are very skittish. I have two and they dart and run and explore but they aren´t lap bunnies. Having said that, just let them do their thing when they´re out. If you sit or lie on the floor when they´re out, they will come to explore you, mine jump all over me, lick my clothes and face and generally walk all over me. When they´re doing that, just let them. If you try and pet them, they will probably run off.

Eventually, mine started to jump on the sofa with me and come and explore me up there. I also got them used to being picked up and now they´re OK and will let me pet them as well. Snowy always licks my face when I pick him up and is quite happy to be up there for a while. Houdini less but he lets me stroke him and pet him for a while.

Mine are now nearly 2 so it does take time for them to really trust you but I´m not in a hurry and I know that every day we go a little further.

By the way, mine love their cardboard hidey holes and use them quite often, it is amazing what suddenly will freak them out but they also have lots of furniture to hide under as well.

Would love to see a pic of the little guy, sounds like a real sweetie and congrats on rescuing him, he is a lucky little bunny.