Sudden personality change and cheek rubbing?

[MoMo~mom]

Hi there! I have a 5 month old bunn, female. She's a mini-lop and WAS sweet as pie when we brought her home 3 weeks ago.

She still is sweet but I noticed the last few days her aggressive side is showing to the point where my 5 year old daughter is terrified of her. She nips at clothing when you're interacting with her and if you pull it away she grunts and lunges. I say "NO!" firmly, clap my hands, stomp a foot but she almost looks as though that's a challenge and doesn't back down. Tonight, she kicked the crap out of my cat for sniffing at her (which was a little funny, to be honest).

But, far and away, the weirdest thing I've noticed is all of the sudden she's rubbing her cheeks on EVERYTHING- not cute, pet me cheek rubs but full on rubbing her face on every kids toy, every chair leg, every shoe. Is it territorial? Like marking?

Any tips on how to tone down the aggression? She *CAN* be super sweet and loves affection when it's HER idea. She can turn on a dime and make you her chew toy. I like the head pin/body roll technique like you do with dogs.

HELP! I want my daughter to like her birthday present ray:

 

[elrohwen]

Time for a spay! She's at the age where many young buns (especially females, in my experience) become territorial and aggressive. A spay will help immensely, as well as being healthier for her. You can try techniques to get her to stop and a high pitched "yelp" may work for her. I'm not convinced that holding down the head is helpful - I think for some rabbits it is, but I think it could make a fearful rabbit even more fearful and nippy. Since she's most likely being territorial, it could work. Just make sure you do it lightly and not in anger.

Also, rubbing her chin on things is a method of marking, like when cats rub their heads on your legs. My girl has been spayed for years and still loves to chin everything. Haha. It's not something we humans can smell, so it's nothing to worry about.

 

[tamsin]

Yes, seconded. It sounds like your bun is acting territorial and spaying should help improve this.

 

[MoMo~mom]

This is all good to know! If we spay can we still do 4-H with her? I know with dog showing they're supposed to remain in-tact. My daughter and son are excited about doing the bunn shows this summer.

Then again, if she's chewing on everyone we may not be able to show her, anyway lol.

Just to lay it out there, I would never squeeze my bunn's head or hurt her. I tried this with her last night and she became immediately submissive and it seemed to help a lot. I do it with a firm "NO!" hoping that, like a dog, the verbal command will replace the physical correction over time.

 

[Eli]

I do something similar with my bun. I just cup the top of her head with my palm so she gets really bored since she can't do anything (since she can't see). She gives up pretty quickly, too. Once I let her go, she moves onto something else and usually does not do the same thing again.

 

[CCWelch]

If it seems to be working keep doing it.
As for showing a spayed bunny I am not sure, at local fairs I don't think it matters but in an actual show I am pretty sure they have to be intact.