Holding Rabbits - update

Question
QUESTION: Hey Lee,

I've had my rabbit for 11 years but he's never enjoyed being picked up and held. If I put him on my lap and begin petting him, his heart rate will race and he'll begin breathing heavily. Then he'll move his head from side to side looking for an escape. As soon as I let my guard down, he runs away from me as fast as he can; however, he doesn't have a problem with me petting him when he's on the ground. Do you have any tips as to how I could get my rabbit to trust me and relax when I hold him?

Thanks,
Jamie


ANSWER: - update -

Hi Jamie,

based on you saying he's becoming more aggressive with you and not displaying affection for holding, yeah, he may be showing he's more tired of trying to be picked up and held.

However, I would suggest, because of his age, to take him in to the vet to have him looked over and vitals checked, maybe a fecal exam, check for signs of infection.  generally when normally non-aggressive rabbits become more aggressive it is an indicator that they are in pain/hurting.  We think they're getting aggressive, it is really just their attempt to prevent us from moving them because it's painful to be picked up.  Now if he is running and hopping and racing around like he always does, like normal, and the aggression is going up, then yes, I'd say you're more accurate about the context of his response is.  

And don't worry, there may be a point in his life where he slows down and has little mobility and enjoys the comfort of being held and pet.  They can change.  He may also begin to trust you more because you aren't picking him up and he may get to a point where he'll tolerate it for small periods of time.  

- end update -


Hi Jamie,

this is his personality.  I think after 11 years of trying, he is just a rabbit that does not enjoy being off the ground if he does not have to be.  He's been trying to show you he doesn't really enjoy that.  You can't really fault him for this, most rabbits do not lie being picked up or held.  

The best thing to gain a rabbit's trust is not to continue to try to get him to do things (that aren't necessary) he doesn't want, he will learn to associate you with those things and that will hamper the trust relationship.  Often the best thing to do is to see what they do like, and do it that way and let them build trust in you.  Take baby steps to where you may want to get to.  He may never be a bunny that you can pet in your lap.  We only have one snuggler out of 6.  That is how they are.  They are not lap pets.

Enjoy being with him on the ground.  It is always better to relate to them on their level.  You get a better idea of what they see being down there and they can interact with you better.  We have a great time with our guys on the floor.  Some like to wind up hopping up on our ottoman and nibbling a hay cube or a small pile of food pellets.  Then they may flop on the ottoman and watch tv for awhile, or they may hop down and do a happy hop and run around.  They enjoy being able to make decisions about what they want to do and where they want to be.  They are like little people that way.

Rabbits are prey animals, and trust is very important with them.  Continuing to do things they don't like when it isn't necessary (not like having to pick him up to go to the vet, but picking him up because you want to hold him, etc), is going to prevent him from trusting you - he will always be on guard that you may do that.  By getting down with him he can enjoy you, you can enjoy him, and pet him where he feels comfortable and can stretch out and relax.  As a prey animal they want to be on the ground or on solid surfaces.  Being held by something and/or off the ground scares them, as instinct tells them it's bad to be in another animal's grasp.  

Build up the trust on his level.  Maybe he'll come over to you, climb on you, give you a few kisses.  It may not happen soon or all at once, but you can look forward to these things too.

Lee

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks again for the additional information. He's actually always been pretty quick/jumpy, which is why everyone else in my family gave up on him a while ago. But his recent agressive behavior was something I haven't seen for nearly a year, so I'm guessing it is because I have been trying to pick him up several times a day. I'm glad I came to you and the other rabbit experts because I figured if I kept picking him up and showing him there was no danger, he'd eventually start to relax... But the general consencus is that it will most likely only result in him fearing me more. And if his aggressiveness continues I will take him to a vet.
Thanks again,
Jamie

Answer
Hi,

you know I don't think you mentioned whether he was neutered or not.  I assumed he was as he is an indoor house rabbit.  At his older age it should not really be much of a factor (he is anywhere between 77 and 110 in human years) but it sounds like he's pretty healthy so he probably is younger by his health.

I think you will see a positive behavior change in him when he realizes that you are not trying to pick him up all the time.  They assume the worst and if you reinforce that, it only gets worse.  The times you do have to pick him up (to go into a carrier, at the vet, etc) give him a small treat for positive reinforcement.  He will learn to tolerate it better if he gets verbal praise for putting up with it and remember something good (treat) comes after being picked up.  If he needs a little space after you put him down (at home) give him the treat and give him some space.  The rabbit that loves me the most hates me picking him up.  He's a real good pickup and hold but when I put him down, he runs away from me doing 'feet flicks' - you can see he's kicking up his back legs at me - to show me how much he didn't like it.  He's over it in about a minute.  But I never pick him up unless I have to.  If I want to really interact with him I get down on his level. If he flops down for a pet, I'm there on the ground with him.  

You have to realize they are trying to relate to you as a rabbit - you are the alpha rabbit of course.  Rabbits sit next to their freinds (ground level) and relax and groom each other (you petting him is grooming).  they like touch.  They don't like holding or being grabbed.  That's not what they expect another rabbit to do to them.  They fear a predator animal that may do that.  I guess you can say they appreciate it when we try to relate to them in ways that they understand.  Being on their level helps you understand how they interact with the world as they see it.  You get a real different perspective when you're down there with them, instead of trying to pull them up higher to our levels.  Many just do not like that.

I doubt you will have to take him to the vet for aggression.  Your rabbit is not on the offensive against you, he is reacting to behavior he doesn't like.  Rabbits are not ones to attack without cause - it's usually a last resort.  Once he sees that he doesn't have to fear being picked up he will start to change for the better.  I don't know how long it will take, as you've been doing this for 11 years, but if you don't pick him up except when necessary (and immediately reward him with a small treat and praise) rabbits are smart, and he should be able to pick up on this and start to relax and not worry (or worry less) about you picking him up anytime you are coming towards him.  You really need to buid the trust up, he doesn't trust you about this and it's critical you get this back to repair the damage.

Lee