Bunny Attitude

Question
I recently adobted a 2 year old Dutch bun (Dutches). Dutches has been coming along well w/ her litter box. The problem is sometime when I play w/ her she nibble on me. It doesn't really hurt and they never break any skin, but it does feel like a sharp pinch. How would I get her to stop this. Also I'm not to sure on how I should be disciplining her. Right now I say a strong No! when she does something wrong but it seems a slight tap while saying no works better. Although I'm not sure she really likes this because whenever I do, she runs off stomping in the other room, similar to a child who is mad. What would you suggest?

Answer
Dear DeNeil,

Although it might be tempting to use the "disciplinary tap," nothing could be worse to use on a rabbit, and *especially* on a Dutch rabbit.  These tend to have a lot of personality and intelligence, and they will take such things personally.

Rabbits are not social in the same way that dogs or humans are social.  Dogs and humans are *cooperative* species (stems from our common hunting natural history, probably), whereas in rabbit society it's the biggest, meanest, most attitudinous rabbit that gets to be alpha.  No one fawns over that rabbit.  They *fear* that rabbit, and get out of his/her way.  So if you're gunning to be Alpha Rabbit, then expect to be shunned by your bunny.

More effective is gentle positive reinforcment and expression of displeasure when she does something painful.  There are some tips here:

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

on gaining trust. But you might have to accept that the nibbles may be her way of telling you to move, pet her, or otherwise obey her.  Try to read her cues, respond in the way a good rabbit would, and things will be better.

Under what circumstances does she pinch?  Does she grab you and shove your hand away?  Does she just randomly pinch you?  Does she scrabble at you (digging motion) at the same time?  The other behaviors she does when the nipping occurs will tell you what she's trying to say, and as you learn to read her, she'll find it less necessary to "talk with her teeth."

For more information on rabbit behavior, try writing to behavior@rabbit.org and explain your situation.  The person answering those questions is a real expert, and can probably offer you more helpful tips.

Good luck!

Dana