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We have just adopted an 8 month old male Rex from our local shelter. He was in the shelter for about 2 months. I know patience and kindness are the key ingredient to getting him to trust us, but right now he hates being handled, jumps at the slightest touch and won\'t come near us when he is out. Will he become more friendly in time? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I took him to our vets yesterday and he did receive a clean bill of health.
Hi Good care,
From your description your bunny hasn\'t had much socialization with humans. Keep in mind, that their place in the ecosystem is that they are preyed upon by other animals (they get eaten,) thus their apprehensive and skittish behavior with most forms of life when they are not handled with TLC. Also, you never know what kind of place your bunny came from prior to the shelter. It may have been abused. So, yes it will take alot of TLC but I am confident that he will become more friendly. How long it will take just varies on an individual basis. I adopted a bunny from the Humane Society and she was very fearful and would bite me almost every time I stuck my hand inside her cage. I learned to get her attention first, not petting her backside if she were facing another way, so she could see me and my hand, then I would pet her gently on only her head. I would then retrieve her water or food bowl or give her hay. Her bites gradually lessened in frequency and became gentle nips, until she stopped the behavior all together after about four months. I would encourage you to purchase a pen if you haven\'t done so and do some socializing one on one, with one person at a time in the pen for about fifteen minutes each. Sit down quietly inside the pen and just observe him, let your bunny come to you. Rabbits by nature are very socialble and curious. When he does reward him with a treat. Almost all pets are \"food orientated\" and can be taught many obedient behaviors with patience, practice, and treats. I have taught my bunnies how to \"beg\" and \"go inside\" using the word \"treat.\" Remember not to overwhelm your bunny let him have his own space too. Also, most bunnies do not like being picked up so try playing with him on his level. Good luck and let me know how it goes!
I would also add that spaying or neutering the rabbit will help to \"calm\" the bunny biting. This could be due to bunny horomones. Good luck and be patient.