Hi all, I just wanted to post here to see if anyone had any suggestions or tips on my journey to gain my rabbits trust.
I just recently adopted the cutest 5, year old Flemish, female (neutered)
She’d been in the shelter for 1.5 years and I felt terrible for her because she seemed to push away potential owners because of her lunging behaviour. But I’ve had territorial bunnies before so this didn’t worry me, but she is on the more extreme end haha
I say aggressive in the title, but I’m very aware it’s defensive behaviour because she’s scared and unsure.
Back story I was told, she was bonded, but perhaps due to boredom both rabbits became aggressive towards each other and were separated. And I’m sure her 1.5 years of boredom in the shelter has only added to her negative behaviour. She currently has I large pen in my study and I hope to have her free range my home when she is more confident.
So here’s where I would like advice. All respect to her, she won’t allow pets and will doge or ‘lunge and scratch’ (I know not to pull my hand back so she learns that won’t scare me). She also won’t leave her cardboard box unless she needs the bathroom and I don’t want to invade her space, but unsure how to coax her out.
things I have been doing so far:
Sitting or lying down in her pen not paying attention to her as I read.
Placing my hand on the ground near her not doing anything so she can get used to it
Hand feeding her vegetables where she lets me.
She unfortunately has tummy issues and can’t have any sweet treats as rewards. But would love some ideas on how to help her. I know she won’t ever be a cuddle bunny but would love to be able to stroke her head. This will be a game of patience, and I’m all in!
by Miserable_Panda7160