received this email from a family I've sold three bunnies too.
This is about ONE of the bunnies.
"it's when she hold him so he is facing her elbow, he burrows his head in, and then nips her several times. What do we need to do to discourage this? When you put him down, he hops away and lies down. ....... I don't hold on to him when I stroke him and he grinds his teeth, that's why I'm a bit confused, he could just hop away, which he often does. He also nipped their legs to get them to move, he actually nipped Parker for picking up Marley while he was cleaning her. I think he's discovered he get's a reaction. For now, I've told the kids to say no, and put him in his cage (he hates being put in his cage), not just let him go, since then he's getting away with the behavior? He hasn't nipped me yet, but I've seen him nip the kids.
He just started it today after school, and has only done it a few times, but I want to make sure it doesn't continue."
Some background.
They got the doe (marley) on Saturday, Fell in love with her. got the boy on Monday. Plans are to neuter both as they are brought sister.
They had previously had a young buck from me that they returned as he was being a little turd in a pet home. I had sold him to them with the caveat that return for a baby would be fine since he'd been a pet before and done well with a teenager. I didn't know how he would do with a 10 year (so I was told). He was good with them apparently as long as you paid attention to him, but if you stopped he would come up from behind and nip to get your attention. (as I said.. he was being a turd). I never saw signs of any such behaviour in my rabbitry and my son (nine) had zero issues with him.
Found out the daughter is actually about five NOT the ten I was told or the twelve my MIL was told. So I said.. Okay.. a baby or an adult female polish would be the better option.
They went with a baby knowing there are no guarantees on future temperament, but that I breed for temperament and health. Kits are relatively well-handled before going to new homes, but I don't snuggle and hold for a long time either. I advised them to keep the bunnies in their cage for a good two weeks (with limited time outside the cage to help them litter train) but they are "free ranging them" except at night.
Talking with these folks is like arguing with a "But the vet said" triangle. So it's a bit exhausting.
What do I tell them about how to handle this young buck? He's eight weeks old. Perfectly pleasant nice young bunny here. I didn't expect this type of report. I do not expect them to listen to me (because the vet said...) but I want to at least try.
Hints, suggestions, medical support.. what do I tell them?
thanks
This is about ONE of the bunnies.
"it's when she hold him so he is facing her elbow, he burrows his head in, and then nips her several times. What do we need to do to discourage this? When you put him down, he hops away and lies down. ....... I don't hold on to him when I stroke him and he grinds his teeth, that's why I'm a bit confused, he could just hop away, which he often does. He also nipped their legs to get them to move, he actually nipped Parker for picking up Marley while he was cleaning her. I think he's discovered he get's a reaction. For now, I've told the kids to say no, and put him in his cage (he hates being put in his cage), not just let him go, since then he's getting away with the behavior? He hasn't nipped me yet, but I've seen him nip the kids.
He just started it today after school, and has only done it a few times, but I want to make sure it doesn't continue."
Some background.
They got the doe (marley) on Saturday, Fell in love with her. got the boy on Monday. Plans are to neuter both as they are brought sister.
They had previously had a young buck from me that they returned as he was being a little turd in a pet home. I had sold him to them with the caveat that return for a baby would be fine since he'd been a pet before and done well with a teenager. I didn't know how he would do with a 10 year (so I was told). He was good with them apparently as long as you paid attention to him, but if you stopped he would come up from behind and nip to get your attention. (as I said.. he was being a turd). I never saw signs of any such behaviour in my rabbitry and my son (nine) had zero issues with him.
Found out the daughter is actually about five NOT the ten I was told or the twelve my MIL was told. So I said.. Okay.. a baby or an adult female polish would be the better option.
They went with a baby knowing there are no guarantees on future temperament, but that I breed for temperament and health. Kits are relatively well-handled before going to new homes, but I don't snuggle and hold for a long time either. I advised them to keep the bunnies in their cage for a good two weeks (with limited time outside the cage to help them litter train) but they are "free ranging them" except at night.
Talking with these folks is like arguing with a "But the vet said" triangle. So it's a bit exhausting.
What do I tell them about how to handle this young buck? He's eight weeks old. Perfectly pleasant nice young bunny here. I didn't expect this type of report. I do not expect them to listen to me (because the vet said...) but I want to at least try.
Hints, suggestions, medical support.. what do I tell them?
thanks