Picking up my rabbit, is it too soon?

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Hi,
I brought Sophie home from the shelter this past Sunday. I haven't tried picking her up yet....kind of scared to tbh! Just wondering if its too soon to pick her up? So far she is ok with me hand feeding, brushing, petting and kissing her. She lets me approach her when she's in her condo but when she's outside the condo she won't let me get near her. When I try to, she immediately wants to dart back into her condo! Would waiting just make it worse? Should I just dive right in lol? I don't want to grab her out of her condo, I read that's not recommended. Any advice welcome Thank you

 

[sweet_buns]

Since you've just got her it's normally recommended to allow her a few days to get used to her new surroundings, noises, smells etc before attempting to pick her up. Maybe just give her time to get used to you and when she does allow you to pet her, every now and then slip some fingers under her stomach just for a sec so she can get used to your hand touching her stomach and eventually work your way up to picking her up for a sec and then putting her down, have a treat handy so she can associate being picked up with something nice. It doesn't always work but it's worth a shot.

Is that her in the avatar? She's so cute. Wish we could have lionheads in Australia. =)

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely give it a go! Yes, that's SophieHow come you're not allowed lionheads? Are there strict breeding regulations in Australia? Regardless of that, your lil bunny looks super cute. That must be a baby picture?

 

[PaGal]

Have you tried feeding her treats when she is out of her condo? If she is too young or you don't feel comfortable giving her fruit as a treat you could just use some of her pellets or even small pieces of any veggies she eats and really likes, again if she is old enough to be eating veggies. That may help her to overcome her shyness while out of her condo.

She apparently feels safe in her condo since she runs there which is good for her. I would also just spend as much time as you can in the room with her, read a book or play online. If you just do your thing she should eventually get curious enough to come check you out. You can also talk quietly to her to get her used to your voice.

 

[bhoffman]

Whenever I bring home a new rabbit.. I bring them into the spare bedroom. And let them run around on their own for a few hours. Then after a few hours.. or even sometimes a day depending on how they are doing. I will go in and just sit on the floor with a couple treats in hand. I will read a book, or play on my laptop. Eventually they will come to you to see what you are all about. Once they get close make sure you have that treat ready and offer it to them. THey will then connect you with the treats and know you mean well. That's what I do anyways! Eventually my bunnies would hop on my lap... they still do. They live in the garage currently as I have bad allergies to them but we go out there daily.. (usually two three times a day) and spend time out there with them. We let them run around in the garage for exercise daily, and I still sit on the floor and they will often come and plop themselves on my lap

 

[Nancy McClelland]

It takes time, but all of ours came around and will come when called by name for head rubs--bribery with a treat or herbs worked for us. Best to start soon and keep with it as they do need to accept a bit of handling to make life easier.

 

[J.Bosley]

With Murphy, my Holland Lop, he HATED being picked up. Even at 4 months when I got him. To help the process I would sit on the ground with my knees up and rest him almost between my legs and give him his absolute favorite pets, cheek rubs! Now he loves to snuggle in my lap. With him to pick him up to take him outside, I always support his feet which causes him to just wait patiently with no struggling.

Remember, not all buns like to be picked up. But snuggling on the lap is a great alternative

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Lots of great suggestions, thank you all so much! I tried to give her a dried currant, which she likes but she just looked at the currant, looked at me then turned and hopped away lol. Yup I got snubbed! I will keep trying the treat thing as she does allow me to feed her in the condo. Just an hour ago she was out and she actually came up to my foot and tried to pull the leather string off my slipper. So there is some confidence there....heh heh, gotta keep an eye on her or I'll have no leather string left!

 

[PaGal]

It sounds like she just needs a little time.

 

[Azerane]

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely give it a go! Yes, that's SophieHow come you're not allowed lionheads? Are there strict breeding regulations in Australia? Regardless of that, your lil bunny looks super cute. That must be a baby picture?

There is a ban on bringing in rabbits to Australia from overseas (except new zealand, though New Zealand has a ban from bringing them in from everywhere). What this basically means, is that the breeds and bloodlines that we had when the ban was introduced, are all we're ever going to have. No new breeds, no new bloodlines etc. Which means that a lot of pure breeds in this country are quite rare and we don't have all the breeds. Since lionheads are new, we'll never be able to get them here.

I hope Sophie is settling in well