#aggressive rabbit

[dxmetxr]

“I had to do my thing to protect Nico” mis respetos para kmag, lo quiero mucho💗

[sleepinwiththefishes]

To anyone who's familiar with rabbit behavior I could really really use some help. My netherland dwarf rabbit (female, about 4 and a half months, currently not spayed but will be as soon as she meets weight and age requirements) has recently become INCREDIBLY aggressive towards me. I got her hoping to bond her to my mini rex boy (neutered) and she's so aggressive I don't really even feel safe having them near eachother. Whenever I go to pick her up or clean her cage or even bring her food she growls and charges only to bite me. Recently she started latching into the bite. I dont understand how to help her. I've handled her daily, only had positive interactions, and done my best to make sure she's mentally stimulated and happy. I don't know how to make her less aggressive. She cuts, bites, and is generally really angry at me. I love her so much and I really need help. If it helps, she's partially blind and while it's never been a problem in the past (I've always made sure to make her aware of my presence) I wonder if that may be partially fueling it?

[bellebunnies]

Socialise Your Bunny

Usually with a rabbit that is fearful of people, you would sit or lie on the floor and let the rabbit investigate you in their own time, so they could learn there is nothing scary. With an aggressive rabbit, you need to do the same thing but also avoid putting yourself at risk of injury. There are several ways to do this:

Wear an old item of clothing and then give it to your rabbit to investigate, this allows your rabbit to get used to your scent in a non-threatening setting. It's likely to get nibble marks so pick something old. You could put a few treats on top to associate your scent with something positive i.e. tasty food. You can repeat this several times to refresh the scent.

Sit next to your rabbit's cage or pen, so you are nearby but safe from injury. Your rabbit needs to get used to you being around them; the more time you spend nearby with nothing bad happening the more relaxed your rabbit will be around you. Don't make it so the only time you get close is when you are going to invade your rabbit's space or pick them up. Talking to your rabbit will also help your rabbit adjust to your presence and having a verbal signal for things like opening the door will help prevent your rabbit being startled.

Get some thick boots wellingtons are great for this, and stand in your rabbit's pen (or sit on a chair). That way your rabbit can investigate your feet/legs, but you have protection from nips. If you rabbit attacks, just ignore it, this will help your rabbit learn that attacking your ankles doesn't make you go away, but also that nothing bad will happen because you are there. Offer food to your rabbit, if you don't want to get your fingers close, tape a clothes peg to a stick and hold the food in that. Don't offer food whilst your rabbit is attacking you don't want to teach your rabbit to bite in return for a food reward!

If your rabbit is happy to come close but bites if you touch, use an arm extension (like a toothbrush) so they can attack, learn it doesn't go away and then investigate what it was. Your rabbits should learn that attacking is not necessary because touching doesn't hurt and being aggressive doesn't get him anywhere anyway.

http://www.therabbithouse.com/behaviour/problem-aggressive-rabbit.asp

[bellebunnies]

Great tips on dealing with an aggressive rabbit that has been neutered/spayed