My rabbit doesnt like being touched

Question
I rescued my 6 month old dwarf lop rabbit from a rehoming centre. When i went there the lady picked him and handed him to me. I held him to my chest and stroked him, him appeared to be happy. i played with him for a little while in his cage beofre deciding to take him home.
When we got home we put him in his new house and he seemed to take the change quite well. I left him along with food water and a couple of toys for the first 24 hours as directed to do by the shelter lady.
When i went back to him, although he bumps his nose in greeting against my hand, he HATES being picked up. He squirms and wriggles and no matter how securely and safely i hold him he tries to get down. I dont want him to be unhappy, but i aslo want to be his friend.
When i let him out, he never comes up to me and if i try to go near him he runs away really fast.
He jumps back into his cage of his own accord after about 20 mins of being out and doesn't come back out for a good few hours.

Basically my question, is how can i encourage my bunny to trust me and like me?? Its really sad.

Answer
Dear Kelly,

Your bunny sounds like a very smart little guy who quickly made the connection between you and "the one who picks me up, which I hate!"

Very few rabbits like being held and carried.  They are a prey species and they prefer to interact and play on the ground, where they feel in control.  Once you  know that, it's a simple matter to regain the bunny's trust, but it may take a little while since you've apparently breached his trust by picking him up.  

Please read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/shybun.html

That will help you gain his trust, and before long, he'll probably be jumping up on the couch to watch TV with you.  You just need to do this on *his* terms, and with some patience.  But it will be worth it.

Good luck!

Dana