Dutch bunny doesnt like to be picked up

Question
Hi, I have had my Dutch bunny, Vladimir, for about 3 and half years or so now, and he still does not like to be picked up.  I have been able to get him into transport boxes when I take him to the vet and such, but when it comes to playfulness and picking up for the purpose of play and petting, he doesnt like it at all.  Whenever my hand gets near his underbelly he flinches and/or jumps away.  He is in a fairly large pen in my room, about 6 by 5 feet.  When ever I attempt to pick him up he just jumps out of my hands before I get 3 inches off the ground; although he does let me approach him again for petting.  How can I gain more trust with my bunny, and is there such an idea that because he's full grown that it could be too late?

Answer
Hi Aaron,

Vladimir (I like that name) is a typical rabbit.  One of the normal, common traits is that as a prey species, they generally do not like being picked up.  When their stomachs are off the ground, they are in danger of being eaten or attacked and lifted off somewhere they don't want to go.

Further, most rabbits, even if you can pick them up, really do not like hands and fingers prodding around their underbelly.  It is a very sensitive and protected region and they guard that carefully.

Generally speaking, for rabbits, being picked up is a negative stress event.  The only time it's a positive stress event is if they are scared of something worse than being picked up!

Having experience with hundreds of rabbits, I have noticed varying degrees of tolerance about being picked up.  Some desperately hate everything about it.  Some don't mind being picked up in their cage, but really hate it when they are out exercising in the open.  Some tolerate it better when they are in rest mode (late afternoon, early morning).  Some hate the initial grab but once you have them, they are fine.  Some need some petting and calming talk before trying to pick them up.  Some need to be picked up more slowly and gently, and some (like those who hate the initial grab) need to be put on your shoulder as soon as possible.

As you can tell, a lot of this is an inborn thing with them, but sometimes bad experiences (abuse, etc) can make being picked up worse.

As far as picking them up for petting them, my opinion is don't try it if they don't like it, as they will not enjoy the pet and will try to leave as soon as possible.  None of our guys likes to be held for a normal pet.  Rather, we get on the floor with them and pet them where they are stretched out or sitting.  If they want to leave, they do, but they do enjoy pets like this without the stress of being picked up.  Don't stress them out for something that doesn't require you to pick them up.

Even with the transport boxes, we will put them in their areas and they will either hop in, or we just have to do a small pickup into the carrier.  Less stressful.

There are also different ways to pick them up.  One hand can go under the rump and the other on a side and do sort of a 'scoop' up to you.  He may just not like the way you are trying to pick him up.  The House Rabbit Society web site (www.rabbit.org) has some info on handling your rabbit.

He does show trust in you as he allows you to approach him after you try to pick him up.  

Gaining more trust.  I would only pick him up when it is really necessary.  We pick them up for vet visits, and when we have to trim their nails, every 8 weeks.  We tend to pick times when they are less active/alert as they are less likely to struggle and fight it.  When we take them back and put them down, we have a small treat waiting for them, to reinforce the idea that something good comes at the end of being picked up.  I would spend time petting him on the floor on his level, rather than bringing him up to yours.  He's lost control about what he can do when you pick him up, and most rabbits do not want to give that up.  Since it is not something important or vital, save picking him up for the things that are critical.  And give him a small reward for being a good boy and putting up with it.

It's never too late to teach a bunny anything.  The older ones often pick new things up quicker than the young ones.

Write back anytime.  Lee