Ohh.. Pebbles..

Spring · Jun 3, 2006

Helloo!

I just wanted to post about Pebbles. She has been having some minor 'issues' lately..

She hates beingpicked up,and I respectthat but there are times when I need to pick her up to get some knotsoff, get her comfortable with the nail clippers ect. I tried to get herout of her cage these last few days.. everytime it didn't go too well.She was fine when I had my hand under her chest, but as soon as I gonear her behind she scrambles away and runs like a maniac and a scaredmess. I left her then tried again in another hour or so.. no luck shedoes the same. I finally got her out today, but I cam out with my armslooking like something from a slasher movie. I don't have a problemholding rabbits, just I'm not confident with picking them up from theircages. Any suggestions on ways she'll trust me a bit more?Ireally need to be shown in person how to properly pick up arabbit, I do my best from what I read but I don't have theconfience enough and I hate picking up rabbits. It stressesboth me and the rabbit out so I try to avoid it.

I usually just get my dad to help me move her to the entrance area(she's a pain to clean up after with her markins if I let her runaround in the rabbit room) and put her cage on the floor so she cancome in and out of her cage, no picking up needed. Should I continuedoing this? She doesn't mind at all being moved to the other room inher cage. Is it cruel not to pick her up? I know she hates it butstill, if I don't get her comfortable with being held and being pickedup it'll be a problem when I need to cut her nails and she'll turn morewild.

I want to pick her by her scruff, that's how my cousin handles all herrabbits and they don't mind at all. It seems less stressfull thenpicking them up. Although I read you shouldn't do it, it seems like away better option then having her struggle and kick...

Thanks!

Pipp · Jun 3, 2006

I'm not sure about your cage design, but themain trick to picking them up in my experience is to scoop 'emuprather quickly by puttingyour hand under theirbehinds and lifting while steadying them with a hand under thechest. Mine don't seem to know what hit them, theydon't struggle that way. They just seem surprised.

You almost take their hindfeetout from underthemas you 'scoop' them up -- the pads of theirfeet will point skyward. Their tail and lower back (and mostof their weight), end up in thethe palm of your hand.

Once they're off the ground and being supported on their rears, they'requiet for long enough for youto pull them in close to yourbody and hold them (especially with the chest hand) sotheycan't get hurt, or escape, if/when they struggle.

If you want to get them used to it, best to then sit down on the groundand pet them, give them a treat and gently let them gowhenthey decide they REALLY want to leave.

They learnthat it's not hurting them, and that being pickeddoesn'talways mean they're going to beheld up high(which they hate)or forcibly confined, and will usually atleast tolerate being handledeventually.

Hope this helps! (And works)

sas

and the gang :bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance:

EDIT: Just tried it on Pipp to check out my description, and her hindpaws faced outward, not skyward. She doesn't like it whenshe's on her back, but she's okaywith her bum sitting on myhand.

Spring · Jun 3, 2006

My cage is exactly like this onehttp://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441808080&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026391&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1149367534567&itemNo=2&In=Small+Pet&N=2026391&Ne=2

It's sort of a pain because It takes me longer because I have to becareful getting her through the doorway because it's pretty small.Thats when sheusually struggles. I need a new cage for heranyways because she's starting to outgrow the cage she's in.

I'll try your method of scooping tomorrw. Too mcuh stress for one day

Thanks!

Pet_Bunny · Jun 3, 2006

Meet my Pebbles.

She is a Nertherland Dwarf. She loves tobe held and gives kisses until you take heraway. But shedidn't start out that way. You have tospend alot of time with her, and to gainher confidence in you. I spent hours onthe floor with her, letting her do whatever she wanted andI would not attempt to pet or pick her up.

I had no problems picking herup. I would press her head down, and wrap my handsaround her and lift her up. Sheis pretty small anyways to fit in my hands.

When I did hold her, I made sure shewas safe and secure. This washolding her firmly against my body.If your Pebbles struggles, trywrapping her in a towel and hold her thatway to start with. When theyfind that you are no threat to them, theywill relax more and start trusting you more.

Before I couldn't touch her paws or herstomach, but now it is soeasy to do anything with her.Now I can cut her nails and vacuum herhair with no problems.

When we are home, we leave the cage top off thecage and Pebbles would never jump out,so picking her up from her cage doesn'tstress her out by reaching inand having to pull her out through anopening.

She is even trusting the dog, as long as he keeps his space.

Rainbows!

Spring · Jun 3, 2006

Thanks, and cute picture!

I would pick her up with the top off.. but she's a kamikaze bunny... Iwouldn't be surprised if she took one look over the edge and took theleap of faith! :shock:

I guess it'll just take some learning from both of us and time

Thanks!