To find out more about house training your rabbit > Grooming your rabbit. If your young rabbit is reaching maturity, it may seem like they suddenly hate everyone. They will need to be able to run around freely, to have somewhere to hide when they feel threatened and to have enough room for accessories. Watch your rabbit to try to get a feel for what scares them and what makes them happy, so you can be ready to meet them where they are. Rabbit enclosures should be at least 3 to 4 times the length of the rabbit. Before attempting an introduction, the rabbits should be spayed or neutered, and you should wait for a full two weeks after the surgery before proceeding with the introduction. Watch your bunny: Sit and watch your bunny’s movements in the house. Giving your rabbit a treat at the same time as you pet them, helps the rabbit to associate being pet with getting a treat. As we get to know our rabbits, it is important to read their reactions and learn their body language. However, you will need to ensure you have more space. When your rabbit has had some time to adjust, let your rabbit explore you. Do not play in a way where you chase the rabbit or appear aggressive. So your rabbit may not appreciate being picked up and held. Make sure your rabbit’s enclosure is large enough for them. Different types of rabbits may have some specific needs, but these guidelines should generally apply to all rabbit breeds. Your rabbit's personality is their own and not everyone will relate the same way. It’s important to get your rabbit fixed to give the the best chance at a long and healthy life. This brings you even closer to the rabbit’s level and will be less frightening. There will be times when you have to pick up your rabbit for their own health and safety. Rabbits will avoid anyone who comes and tries to pick them up all the time. Eating is a social activity for rabbits and eating together builds trust. It is time to take a few steps back in the bonding process and let the rabbit alone and give him some space. They are unlikely to approach anyone who is making a lot of noise, and will continue to hide away until the loud noise goes away. At this point it will be important to bring your bunny to a rabbit-savvy veterinarian to be spayed or neutered. Why Does my Cat Lick and then Bite Me? Such accessories include food bowls and toys. Petting is also a way of mimicking grooming behavior, telling your rabbit that you love them and see them as part of the family. Never lay the rabbit on their back to calm them. Most of the time when rabbits are eating, pooping, sleeping, or grooming themselves they won’t want to interact with people. Try not to talk in a loud voice. The most important way to ensure your rabbit is not afraid of you is to not be scary. To teach a rabbit that they don’t have to be afraid of your hands: During the whole process keep an eye on your rabbit’s body language to make sure you are not stressing them out. A cornered rabbit might even lash out aggressively by biting or scratching. This way you are learning about the rabbit’s personality and letting him comfortably check out … If you take your time and let your rabbit come to you on their own terms, you will reduce their fear significantly. So just be patient with your rabbit and the two of you will be best friends in no time. Rabbits can emit grunts and growls when they are unhappy. Rabbits are prey animals, which means they survived in the wild by being ready to run and hide at any second. Bonding with your bunny is not always easy. The goal isn’t to force your rabbit to come up to you and interact, but to give them the option. If your rabbit is inside a play pen sit right outside the playpen and talk to your bunny. This rabbit bonding method is based on the premise that the rabbits become used to each other. Choosing a Mate . Training is a really fun way to spend time with your little furry friend and bond with them. They will be less likely to trust you and any bond you have will be weakened. As the rabbit gets used to one touch, try giving them little scritches on their forehead and behind the ears. This means that anything you do that makes a rabbit feel trapped will instantly make them trust you less. Many rabbits will very readily accept being pet and will quickly learn to settle down while you give them a nice massage. Giving a shy rabbit a treat when they approach you is a form of reward training. These tricks use a combination of training techniques including clicker training, luring, and plain old classical conditioning. The previous pet rabbit may attack or show signs of aggression towards the new rabbit. Don’t chase them or force them to come back. We suggest: Don't force interaction or escalate too quickly. Amy Pratt is a lifelong rabbit owner who has been specializing with rabbits at the Humane Rescue Alliance. One of the scariest parts of being a rabbit caretaker is when our pet rabbits get sick. Rabbits will feel more confident and in control if they have more space. Once you have bonded with your bunny, you will see that instead of growling, they will purr contentedly. Steps in Rabbit Bonding. Some ideas to make the perfect environment for your rabbit full of hiding places: If you want to bond with your rabbit and teach them to trust you, above all you have to remember to respect your rabbit’s boundaries. This will give them space to zoom around and explore without feeling cornered and unsafe. You want your rabbit to trust you while feeling comfortable and happy in his or her new home. But don’t force your rabbit into an interaction if it’s only for your own entertainment. Some ways to develop a daily routine that your rabbit can depend on: It can be really adorable to teach a rabbit some cute tricks, but the real value of training a bunny is in the bond it creates between you and your rabbit. And it’s great for you because you get to have a beautiful friendship with your rabbit. Introducing rabbit “strangers” so that they become friends is called ... Not only will your rabbit be happier living in a bonded pair or group, you’ll get so much satisfaction and enjoyment from watching them snuggling together. Ensuring their diet is correct is also imperative in having a happy bunny. Once your rabbit gets used to that, try giving them longer strokes down their back. If you’re scrolling through your phone or playing a game, make sure to use headphones for anything that will generate noise. You give them food, they love you more. Fear is gone and the way is open to the rabbits to relax and come to trust each other. They will bite you and think you are trying to assert a state of dominance over you. Small portions of carrot, apple, herbs, or oats are offerings a rabbit will appreciate. In fact, there are videos online of rabbits thumping and growling because their human friends have stopped petting them. The most effective action you can take is to sit or lay with your rabbit. Neuter or spay your rabbit. We may not be able to exactly copy our rabbits behaviors, since our anatomy is so different, but we can do our best to mimic them and see if they understand. But as prey animals, rabbits are often scared to interact with new people. When your rabbit is starting to exploring, you can sit down on the floor and let your rabbit come to you in some way of its exploration. Check out my newest video for a guaranteed method! If your rabbit is happy, they will bond with you faster. (Use the code BUNNYLADY to get 15% off your first purchase at Small Pet Select). Watch your rabbit and see what other behaviors you can copy to try to tell your rabbit how much you love them! If they are nervous, do not try to touch their face, nose or chin. However, a rabbit who loves you will come up to you and gently nibble your finger. As humans have been a direct predator on rabbits for centuries, we need to make friends with our bunny and reassure them they won't become dinner. Training your rabbit will teach them to slow down and earn their treats, while also keeping them from losing interest in you just because you don’t have any treats on hand. Also, when your rabbit is happy and content, they will approach you. Want to know how to gain your rabbit's trust in 1 step?! I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. And bear in mind that rabbits generally dislike being held. … You also want to give your rabbit a lot of space for exercise outside of the enclosure. Regardless of a male or a female rabbit, you have to follow rabbit bonding stages. I’ve made a step by step guide for how to make some of these fun toys using only toilet paper rolls and some other simple objects you probably have lying around your house. Their hutch, cage or enclosure needs to be big enough for your rabbit. The Answer. They have lots of different kinds of healthy treats so there’s sure to be a kind that your rabbit will love. It shouldn't be too cold or hot and it needs to be away from draught. Rabbits are incredibly social animals. Even the notification beeps can be enough to startle a rabbit sometimes. Anything that you do where the rabbit feels trapped will make them trust you less. You can let them run around indoors, but ensure they are monitored constantly and remove any stressors in their environment. This includes other pets, loud noises and even strong smells. If you help them become a more confident rabbit, they’ll start to feel braver and have a better overall quality of live. In my experience, some of the rabbits who enjoy being pet the most are the ones who were completely afraid of it when I first met them. How to Detect and Prevent GI Stasis in Rabbits. You can sit with a book or your phone and just hang out on the floor with your rabbit. That’s only about half the average lifespan of a rabbit. Rabbits are animals and their animal instinct is more acute than we sometimes give them credit for. Rabbits are grazers and eat throughout the day. The best way to bond with your bunny is to show them some love in the first place. Although becoming more popular as pets, rabbits are shy and distrustful by nature. Can you bond with your rabbit? They’ll know that if something happens, there will always be someplace nearby they can bolt to. Start with some tasty veggies that he just can’t resist (his bunny DNA just won’t let him!) If you pick your rabbit up all the time, they will start to associate you with that feeling of being trapped and scared. They may even feel that they have been caught by a big predator. You do want to be careful with the amount of treats you give your rabbit, though. Instead of forcing your rabbit into an interaction, you need to let them choose to come to you so you can gain their trust. Not least of these is your bunny's personality. This delay both ensures proper healing and gives the hormones a chance to dissipate. Rabbits won't groom themselves unless they are in comfortable surroundings, so by 'grooming ' yourself in your rabbit's presence, you are basically saying, 'I'm fine with you and everything's cool." The hutch needs to be spacious, but it also needs to be clean and undisturbed. While you are providing for their essential care needs, you should be have in a relaxed manner. I put together a guide that goes over all the basics of rabbit care so you have it all in one place. Why is my Dog Pooping in the House Suddenly? It is possible, and sometimes encouraged, to keep rabbits together. To start with, just spend some time watching your rabbit. Your rabbit will be excited to spend time with you, knowing they’ll have fun exercising their brain and figuring out how to get treats. Getting to know the personality of your rabbit is one of the most rewarding experiences a pet caregiver can have. Or you can try giving your head a little shake or jumping up and down to mimic a binky and tell your rabbit that you’re happy. You won’t need anything special to bond rabbits. Should I Walk My Dog Before or After Meals? You give them positive reinforcement for their curious and brave behavior. But if you’ve recently adopted your bunny, you may not even know how to start the bonding process. This is the first question that comes to a rabbit owner’s mind. What Does It Mean When a Dog Lifts a Front Paw? Most rabbits absolutely hate to be held. Rabbits can be easily startled by loud noises. Getting a rabbit is a huge responsibility. How to bond rabbits safely. You will also need to have a run for your rabbit to exercise. Some may have trust issues and can try to flee or become aggressive. When the rabbit doesn’t flinch away from your hand coming toward them, gently touch them on the forehead while you give them the treat. Do they confidently zoom into the middle of the room, or do they sneak around the walls or hide under furniture? This goes for the space in their enclosure and outside of it for exercise time. However, they are sensitive animals and will respond to positive reinforcement. It will take some practice to learn everything there is to know about your rabbit’s behavior. In the end, the two of you will have a deep and unbreakable bond. However, you should avoid picking your rabbit up most of the time if you want to have a happy relationship with your rabbit. When you approach your rabbits, they learn that something nice appears – like a dandelion leaf or a handful of watercress. It gives your rabbit lots of space and it’s a lot easier to clean! She helps to socialize the rabbits and educate volunteers on the care and behavior of these small mammals. Do they get immediately startled by new sounds, or are they more interested in checking it out? While you give your rabbit a treat, slowly move your hand toward your rabbit. You can feed a little bit, then walk away, then come back with another piece, and so on. 3. If they try to take it away from you, let them. If your rabbit leaves in the middle of an interaction, let them. A happy bunny will be a more affectionate bunny, so ensuring their basic needs are met well is imperative you want them to show you some love. If you want to bond with your rabbit and teach them to trust you, above all you have to remember to respect your rabbit’s boundaries. This way we are able to reinforce our bond with each other every single day. Before we discuss the next step let’s see how will you recognize a relaxed rabbit. By training your rabbit you are not only teaching them cool tricks, but you’re also teaching them to trust you. They’ll see you as a big scary giant, and are more likely to be wary or run away in fear. To bond with your rabbit, you want to avoid cornering them or picking them up whenever possible. Check out our video below for more signs your rabbit loves you. This could mean giving your rabbit a place to hide, or simply leaving space so they can run away around you. As rabbits are prey animals, they will think you are a predator and lose trust in you. It was just a matter of finding their special treat that will motivate them. He will feel less intimidated by your size because you’re not moving him for your comfort, but you're making sure he feels comfortable. They will show you affection when they feel completely comfortable and secure in your company. Such accessories include food bowls and toys. Just one small touch. When feeding a rabbit that you are keen to build a bond with you should first try to get the rabbit used to hand feeding. Click to attach a photo related to your comment, How to ensure your rabbit is not afraid of you. As much as you can, interact with them when they are outside the enclosure and leave them alone when they retreat back to their home. Rabbits can be wonderful, social pets if you give them the chance to come up and interact with you on their own terms. The best mate for your rabbit is one that they are interested in, and vice versa. You don’t need to be completely silent around your rabbit, but keep the noises you make to a minimum. De-Sensitisation Bonding Method - developed by Kim Cooney. Right after you sign up, you’ll receive a FREE pdf rabbit care guidebook. You could associate yourself with something your bunnies love – such as toys or treats. You will know the difference between the two once you have bonded well. Avoid making your rabbit feel cornered; Rabbits have this innate habit of running away from bigger animals and hiding at any moment. If your rabbit leaves in the middle of an interaction, let them. Give them another piece of food if necessary and try again a few more times, petting gently and then removing your hand. Almost every rabbit I’ve interacted with had some kind of treat that they loved. However, developing your bond takes a level of consideration where we need to go beyond the obvious. If your rabbit was adopted, it could be from a more serious trauma from your rabbit’s past. This is especially true of toys that are puzzles with treats hidden inside for your rabbit to find. Doing so will help you know if they love and care for you back. 5 Common Mistakes You Make when Scolding a Dog. Getting a rabbit spayed or neutered also solves many health issues that are common in unaltered rabbits. Others might come right up to you and even jump in your lap quite happily. Observe how your rabbit reacts to new places. If the rabbit is eating in front of you, then you can raise your hand slowly in front of their face so they can see you approach. Maybe sit near the rabbit and stay close to him but do not pick the rabbit up. Keep coming back and increase the amount of interaction incrementally. When they don’t want to interact right now, then leave them alone. If you want to read similar articles to How to Make a Rabbit More Affectionate, we recommend you visit our Basic education category. If you’re having trouble finding a treat your rabbit loves, try this sampler pack from my friends at Small Pet Select. Obviously, if there is some kind of health concern that you need to check up on, then you will need to handle your rabbit even if they don’t want you to. That way you’ll know you have the skills you need when the time comes. Rabbits tend to keep their claws and teeth in good condition by gnawing and scratching at roots and other vegetation in the wild. Grooming gives us quality interactive time and also gives us a chance to spend a few minutes checking our bunnies to make sure they are healthy. We think of growling as a behavior only exhibited by wolves or dogs, but this is not the case. Once you know what your rabbit likes, you can use it to teach them to associate you with good and yummy things. An unhappy rabbit may bite if they feel cornered or scared. When you sit somewhere on your rabbit’s level and allow them to approach you in their own time, it builds trust. According to the RSPCA, Rabbit that is happy and relaxed will jump around with all four paws off the ground and twists in mid-air before landing. Trying to bond a new rabbit with your existing pet rabbit can be difficult. When sitting with your rabbit, you’ll also want to pick quiet activities to keep you occupied while they decide whether or not to approach you. Rabbits are a prey species, and their default action is to hide if they feel threatened. I’ll spend an hour on the floor reading to give her a chance to come up to me if she wants to. They may even rub their nose against you and nudge you lovingly. They can be particularly timid in new situations with people they do not know. Either way, it is always best to advise caution. In today's video, I will show you how to create a bond with your pet rabbit. I’ve put together this step-by-step guide for 4 of the tricks that I teach my rabbits. If you notice that your rabbit is feeling more comfortable in your presence you can try another thing. Rabbits thrive with the predictability of a routine. Make sure you do this once every day for at least 5 minutes. To keep rabbits from being so scared that they injure themselves, hold them securely against your body until they calm down. Ignore your rabbit while they sniff and possibly hop up onto you. Important: As an Amazon Associate and an associate to other companies I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Training also encourages a rabbit to readily approach you without expecting a treat right off the bat. Rabbits do like to bond so if your bun is skittish then just keep working with them building trust. If your rabbit is very shy, they might not come up to you at all the first couple of times you hang out with them, and that’s okay. Learn how to deal with an aggressive rabbit and form a meaningful relationship with them! If your rabbit has Pasteurella or a heart condition, I would only consider this if it were to be a very easy bond. To bond with your rabbit, you will want to make sure they always have places they can run to and hide.