• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

Those of you who adopted 'problem' rabbits...

mattyp

Warren Veteran
*by problem I mean in terms of aggression, hand shyness, personality etc not physical.

...did you ever manage to get passed them and eventually come to find your rabbit was actually a gentle soppy thing? And if you did do you think it was more rewarding than getting a more well socialised rabbit?

From my own experience I initially found it quite tough. We got Maisie who we knew was very hand and people shy, who detested being picked up, but because after a month of so of having her it hadn't changed I started to get a bit blue and didn't know whether i'd made the right choice. But I persevered and eventually decided to get her a friend (Marvin - then known as Ringo on RU). Marvin was a naughty little blighter who would have big mood swings and suddenly bite for no reason, but he sounded cheeky so I quickly fell for him. The first month with Marvin was tough as he would bite hands constantly if they were in his 'room' and he was a poo and wee monster.

Anyway skip ahead 5-6 months and Maisie, despite still being handshy is actually very people social, and will greet guests, follow me around the house, and nudge peoples legs (She still sprints away if an unexpected hand touches her but I think that adds to her charm). Marvin has had a complete temperment change and is affectionate to everyone who enters the house, will follow anybody around the house, and hasn't bit in months. He is also perfectly happy to climb all over people and receive attention.

I'll be the first to admit the rabbits I adopted aren't exactly major 'problem' rabbits but for a first time owner they wern't the simplest pair (although their bond was!).

Anyway I thought i'd be nice to share stories about rabbits that had perhaps been overlooked before due to behaviour problems, and how/if they changed in their new lovely RU owner homes. :D
 
I'm glad your bunnies worked so well, and well done for persevering with them :)

I have two 'awkward' bunnies, behaviourally, plus one who came and then developed behaviour issues as a result. None of mine are nasty with people, one is exceptionally anxious of other rabbits, one was a wildie so I had to really, really work to earn any kind of trust, and the other never knew a bunny whilst in his formative times, so when he did finally meet a bunny he didn't know how to act. mine have all improved dramatically, and I've just had to find ways of working with them.

I :love: the Special ones.
 
Dreamer was extremely nervous when i got him, he used to shake and thump when i went near the hutch, now he follows me everywhere and is a real cheeky little chap. I can call him now and he'll come charging down the garden to me :love: i never thought he'd be that confident.
 
I'm glad your bunnies worked so well, and well done for persevering with them :)

I have two 'awkward' bunnies, behaviourally, plus one who came and then developed behaviour issues as a result. None of mine are nasty with people, one is exceptionally anxious of other rabbits, one was a wildie so I had to really, really work to earn any kind of trust, and the other never knew a bunny whilst in his formative times, so when he did finally meet a bunny he didn't know how to act. mine have all improved dramatically, and I've just had to find ways of working with them.

I :love: the Special ones.

I definitely think that i'll be more attracted to the 'overlooked' animals from now on :lol: I think it's great that all your rabbits improved dramatically! It seems to me that with rabbits it can be quite a slow process but definitely worth it in the long run! From what i've read from some of your posts is that you seem very good at gaining a rabbit's trust and helping them settle :)

There really isn't anything like having a rabbit who used to bite you now jumping on your head whilst you sleep for stratchy nose rubs :lol:
 
I definitely think that i'll be more attracted to the 'overlooked' animals from now on :lol: I think it's great that all your rabbits improved dramatically! It seems to me that with rabbits it can be quite a slow process but definitely worth it in the long run! From what i've read from some of your posts is that you seem very good at gaining a rabbit's trust and helping them settle :)

There really isn't anything like having a rabbit who used to bite you now jumping on your head whilst you sleep for stratchy nose rubs :lol:

Aw thanks. I just get bunnies; far more than I get people. :lol:

and good for you looking at the 'overlooked' animals. There are so many other there and they deserve a home as much as the next animals.
 
We have had quite a few aggressive rabbits, who have all improved to some level, however the most difficult and sad one was Rosie.

Rosie spent 4-5 years ( they couldn't remember how long they had her) after being found with a broken leg and cigarette burns on her body. She was never handled or taken from the hutch ( other than for cleaning and to go in one of those wee triangluar runs). They asked us to take her and she was scary aggressive, you had to wear a thick jacket and gloves initially but after about a year of daily handling she grew in confidence and could be picked up while only wearing a t-shirt. She did not like cuddles but accepted them, and Mike in particular spent a lot of time with her. We did try to bond her but she was just too mentally disturbed so she lived next door to the trio so she had company but did not need to interact.

Rosie.jpg


Ziggy was another fear aggressive bun, he would scream when picked up initally and bite, sadly we did not have him for long but he settled so he could be handled and bonded with Sorrell and I believe was happier than he had ever been before.
 
We have had quite a few aggressive rabbits, who have all improved to some level, however the most difficult and sad one was Rosie.

Rosie spent 4-5 years ( they couldn't remember how long they had her) after being found with a broken leg and cigarette burns on her body. She was never handled or taken from the hutch ( other than for cleaning and to go in one of those wee triangluar runs). They asked us to take her and she was scary aggressive, you had to wear a thick jacket and gloves initially but after about a year of daily handling she grew in confidence and could be picked up while only wearing a t-shirt. She did not like cuddles but accepted them, and Mike in particular spent a lot of time with her. We did try to bond her but she was just too mentally disturbed so she lived next door to the trio so she had company but did not need to interact.

Rosie.jpg


Ziggy was another fear aggressive bun, he would scream when picked up initally and bite, sadly we did not have him for long but he settled so he could be handled and bonded with Sorrell and I believe was happier than he had ever been before.

What a heartbreaking story. How can anyone do that. :evil::evil::evil:
Thankfully Rosie has you now.
 
What a heartbreaking story. How can anyone do that. :evil::evil::evil:
Thankfully Rosie has you now.

Sadly Rosie passed away quite a few years ago, but I hope she was happy here.

I did initially wonder if the cigarette story was true but she still had the scars on her body.:(
 
Lovely story Matty. Sounds like you have 2 great bunnies.

Cutie-pie was was/still can be a very nervous bunny. 5 years at some horrendous breeders, who was closed down.

For the 1st week she cowered if I went anywhere near her. After a month she was chinning me every day and happy to follow me around the house.

Unfortunately since I got her spayed 5 or 6 weeks ago, she has retreated from me again. She never cowers but the chin rubs stopped and so did the following me around.

I think we will need a few months to build up trust again. Who knows what she went through.

However, Sunshine is more friendly than ever since getting Cutie-pie. He was not when we had Nancy. He was snobby bunny then.

He will feed out of my hand when running around. I doubt either will ever be that friendly but I don't mind, so long as they are happy.
 
Last edited:
I have had Poppy nearly four weeks now, she is interested in us but comes nowhere near us:( She was a stray and then a house rabbit who got electrocuted:shock:

She seems happy to hop around us but doesnt like being handled:? She is semi wild I think but Im hoping over the years she becomes more settled:love:

I wouldnt have bought a rabbit or got baby rabbits as it wasnt on my 'to do list', I have two children and five dogs and know my limits (both physically and financially:oops:) We all love her though and will give her the best life that we possibly can:love:
 
Sadly Rosie passed away quite a few years ago, but I hope she was happy here.

I did initially wonder if the cigarette story was true but she still had the scars on her body.:(

You just cannot even begin to think why ?

Rosie would have loved being with you.
 
You just cannot even begin to think why ?

Rosie would have loved being with you.

Yes, I know. We've seen some really bad cases of, mainly, neglect and some abuse but Rosie was one of the worst. How anybody could deliberately do that to another living animal, I just cannot begin to understand.
 
Alvin isnt really bad, he has never attacked just because.. but he is very human hating... the vet nurses compared him to a ferral cat :oops: people have suggested that when he had the snip not all of his balls were taken because of the way he acts, he boxes, nips, springs, spits and runs to avoid being handled and for years he wouldnt even accept fuss.... but he luvs his mommy :love: he buzzes me every day and allows me to fuss him, he lets me put water and drugs into him when he has stasis (as long as i wrap him in a pillowcase... so i think we have an understanding... he is 4 years old this month and i have had him since he was 8 weeks...just wanted to add hes not an aggressive rabbit just has his own mind :D

now Holly is EVIL!!!!! she grunts if she even suspects i'm going to handle her :lol: :lol: :lol: but again on her terms im allowed in her room and im allowed to groom her :D
 
Yes, I know. We've seen some really bad cases of, mainly, neglect and some abuse but Rosie was one of the worst. How anybody could deliberately do that to another living animal, I just cannot begin to understand.

I am guessing they didn't get prosecuted. I would put them in prison.
 
Although not adopted or rescued, I'd class Rum as a problem bun! 2 years on she is still completed scared of me and wifey, will fight constantly when held to be clipped and runs and hide's, even when I lie still with narna in my hand.

I think because she's deaf she more easily startled and frightened by movement.
 
I think because she's deaf she more easily startled and frightened by movement.

alvin is deaf, makes them more stressy and easily startled but at the same time happier because they don't get upset by loud noises :D

i also think Holly is hard of hearing too.
 
Back
Top