How do you discipline a pet rabbit?

Here are some tips for what you can do to discipline your rabbit:
  1. Voice Training. When your bun does something he shouldn't be, use his name and say 'NO', firmly and sternly. ...
  2. Nose down. Take your index finger and firmly but gently push his nose down toward the floor while saying 'Oliver, NO'. ...
  3. Time out. ...
  4. Water. ...
  5. Squeal.


How do you show dominance to a rabbit?

To make sure you're not getting in the way of your rabbit's coexisting relationship:
  1. Pay attention to the pecking order. Give the dominant rabbit their treats first and give them their first choice of toys. ...
  2. Give the dominant rabbit enough attention. ...
  3. Don't prevent dominance rituals.


How do you make a rabbit obey you?

Start by sitting quietly near your rabbit and waiting for them to make the first move.
  1. Step 1: Sit quietly near your rabbit. To get a rabbit to come to you, they have to be willing to trust you. ...
  2. Step 2: Reward your rabbit for approaching you. ...
  3. Step 3: Make a habit of sitting with your rabbit every day.


How do you handle a difficult bunny?

Hold rabbits gently but firmly - ensure one hand supports their back and hindquarters at all times. Help them feel secure by holding all four feet against your body. Never pick rabbits up by their ears - this would be extremely stressful and is highly likely to injure them.

Why is my rabbit misbehaving?

Rabbits are actually very intelligent, curious animals, and need plenty of stimulation to truly thrive. Bunnies that don't get enough time outside their cages can become grumpy, and end up misbehaving. Be sure your pet gets at least three hours of free playtime outside her home!


12 Signs You're Hurting Your Rabbit Without Realizing



How do you tell if your rabbit is mad at you?

A rabbit who is angry will quickly twitch their tail up and down. Beware the rabbit holding their tail up, it is frequently followed by spraying. Rabbits who are not spayed and neutered will spread their scent by spraying everything in sight. They may also do this when they are upset or simply dislike a person.

How do you stop an angry rabbit?

If your rabbit is being aggressive, but you are sure they are not in pain, ask yourself whether they might be afraid of being handled, and why. Are you suddenly appearing where they didn't expect you to be? Speak to them as you approach so as not to startle them. Always use a calm, quiet voice.

How long do bunnies hold grudges?

Depending on the severity of the offence, a rabbit can hold a grudge from hours to several days. Sometimes, a simple stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat can remedy a miffed bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can sulk for quite some time!


Can you train a bunny to like being held?

If you're a new rabbit owner, try to make the first few interactions with your rabbit as positive as possible which means lots of gentle petting, treats and quiet bonding time. This way they'll grow more comfortable with you - and you'll be able to pick them up and hold them with better success.

What happens if you hit a rabbit?

It is considered especially dangerous because it can damage the cervical vertebrae and subsequently the spinal cord, which may lead to serious and irreparable spinal cord injury.

Do bunnies know when your mad at them?

Some rabbits will get angry when they hold a grudge. Instead of simply hopping away when you try to come near, they will swipe at you or try to bite. They may even come up to you and give you a hard nip to tell you how upset they are with your actions.


Why is my bunny ignoring me?

Why do my rabbits seem to ignore me? Rabbits are a prey species so they instinctively avoid drawing attention to themselves. The mistake many first-time rabbit owners make is to impose themselves on their pets – to a rabbit, even a hand reaching overhead can feel like a predator approaching.

What commands can you teach a rabbit?

They are smart and love to learn through play – and get rewarded with treats. With patience, your bunny can be trained to run agility courses, fetch, jump, and spin on cue. And Louise suggests that training rabbits to hop on to scales or sit still for nail trimmings makes them even easier to care for.

Should you let rabbits fight it out?

If your rabbits are mounting each other a lot, instigating fights, stop them, place them side by side. Pet them together and talk to them quietly. Do not let much chasing ensue. If they are persistently aggressive, separate them to prevent injuries.


How do bunnies show anger?

Grunting: Grunting noises are angry reactions towards another rabbit or a person and should be heeded as a warning to back off; otherwise the rabbit might escalate by scratching or biting. Rabbits grunt when they feel threatened or territorial. Thumping: Thumping is an attention getting behavior.

How do rabbits show they trust you?

Nudging, head butting or rubbing against you is rabbit body language for loving attention. 'Give them a stroke or cuddle, or what you know they enjoy', says Rosie. 'Rubbing their faces against you is a way of sharing their scent profile, and showing that you really are friends.

Why does my bunny freak out when I pick him up?

Rabbits are small and low to the ground. They are also primary prey animals. So anything coming from above is a big threat, and their instinct is to race away. Even if they can see YOU are the thing coming from above, that instinct is so strong, and so ingrained, that they really can hardly help themselves.


Why does my rabbit run away when I try to pick him up?

Rabbits typically run away from people because they are afraid or angry. The rabbit has learned from past experiences that humans will chase them, pick them up, or trap them into a small cage.

How often do bunnies need their nails clipped?

Most rabbit nails will need to be trimmed every 1 to 2 months. Rabbits that are given areas with rough flooring or places they can dig into will be able to wear down their nails a little bit in their daily life. Therefore they might not need their nails trimmed as often.

Why did my bunny thump at me?

That's where stamping or thumping comes in: they use this body language to tell others they are feeling threatened. If your bunny thumps their back legs, it usually means they have heard or seen something they believe could be harmful. They could also thump at you to show their displeasure: “Not like that, Two-Feet!”


Do bunnies get sad when you leave?

5. They are lonely. Because rabbits are social animals, they will often get depressed if they are left alone for too long. A rabbit who is treated like a cage animal and left alone inside their enclosure day in and day out is very likely to become lonely and depressed.

Can bunnies forget who you are?

Rabbits will remember the people that they spend a lot of time with, and this includes their owners and caretakers. As prey animals, they have neurologically developed with a strong long-term memory for places and routines. You can use these associations to help strengthen your rabbit's memory of you.

Should you yell at your rabbit?

Here is what NOT to do when disciplining your rabbit (remember, punishment is not necessary and will not work with a rabbit!): Do not shout, scream or clap at your rabbit; this will make your rabbit frightened of you and could lead to to timid, anti-social or even aggressive behavior. Do not hit or push your rabbit.


Do bunnies know what no means?

Rabbits are smart and can understand several words; two of the words he should be able to understand are his name and the word 'No'.