Neutered Bunny Behavior

Question
Dear Mr. Meyer,
We adopted a 5 month old bunny, a little 3 lb., dark grey guy.  Don't know his breed.  3 days ago he was neutered, but is still exhibiting "naughty" behavior.  I assumed that the procedure would reduce his rambunctiousness.  He will run around us, sitting or standing, and then occasionally pounce on a hand.  He ran around my daughter and nipped her on the bum.  We are disciplining him with a firm "no" and then back into the cage.  Will his demeanor calm down?  And do you think consistent discipline will pay off?


Answer
Hi Jennifer,

it will, but it takes about 4-5 weeks for a rabbits' hormone levels to drop to their new, lower levels.  It takes this long to use up the existing hormones already in the body.

Give him some time.  His behavior is hormonally driven, so disciplining him isn't going to really solve anything now.  It should be better by 4-5 weeks, you should start seeing some improvment by week 2.  After this time, if there is any negative behavior, a "No, <name>" is the first time.  A second time is the same, but with a gentle but firm (not fast or hard, it's not to hurt or smack him) head press to the floor for a few seconds with your hand.  This is a move a dominant rabbit does on a subordinate to remind him who is in charge.  Do the head press at the same time you are saying "No, <name>".  The correction pretty much has to come right after the behavior otherwise they cannot associate what you are doing with what they did.

I should also add that when he does use his litterbox and you see him, give him some praise (Good Boy!) and make sure he's got hay in a place that he can munch hay while in the litterbox.

Lee