Fellie
Warren Veteran
Hey everyone -
I brought home a baby lionhead last weekend (she was 13 weeks old then - so 14 weeks now) and so far I don't think it's going too badly. Each night she is put into a playpen to have a run around and I sit with her to get her used to me and I do try to stroke her but she's not too happy with that yet and runs away. She has learnt now not to panic when being picked up which I am really pleased with as we gave up too early with our boy we've had since February (neutered now I hasten to add) and we can't pick him up at all.
However - a couple of things that concern me - and I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. When I put my hand inside her cage just to straighten things out or put food in or whatever - she thumps her back legs at me. It is getting better but.... Also, when I'm in her playpen with her, and do manage to stroke her - it's only when she has gone all submissive and scared. And these two things are telling me that she is still scared of me - which I hate. Is there anyway I can earn her trust quicker - or is it just a matter of time and patience?
Also - she has started biting! She does need to be brushed - really needs it every day. So I plonk myself down in her cage, put a cushion on my lap, pick her up (after a bit a struggle sometimes) and put her on the cushion and hold her gently with my hand sort under and over her ribcage, shoulders and in front. I don't hold tightly at all - just firmly - and then I start trying to brush her. But then she starts trying to reach down to bite my hand. Okay - she doens't like being brushed and has to get used to it (although her previous owner managed with no problem) but I really don't want to let her get away with trying to bite when I try doing something else she doesn't like. Any tips on nipping this in the bud before it gets worse?
It all just seems a bit of a struggle at the moment - a battle of wills in someways. She seems to dislike me apart from when I put food in for her. It's a bit upsetting in someways. I still love her to bits - but I just want her to be happier when with me I guess and I feel like I'm doing something wrong but I just don't know what!
Our other rabbit is lovely - very tame, and loving and affectionate - but I guess he had to go through the same process of learing to trust his mum and dad. Not sure if having a female makes a difference?
I brought home a baby lionhead last weekend (she was 13 weeks old then - so 14 weeks now) and so far I don't think it's going too badly. Each night she is put into a playpen to have a run around and I sit with her to get her used to me and I do try to stroke her but she's not too happy with that yet and runs away. She has learnt now not to panic when being picked up which I am really pleased with as we gave up too early with our boy we've had since February (neutered now I hasten to add) and we can't pick him up at all.
However - a couple of things that concern me - and I'm not sure if I'm doing something wrong. When I put my hand inside her cage just to straighten things out or put food in or whatever - she thumps her back legs at me. It is getting better but.... Also, when I'm in her playpen with her, and do manage to stroke her - it's only when she has gone all submissive and scared. And these two things are telling me that she is still scared of me - which I hate. Is there anyway I can earn her trust quicker - or is it just a matter of time and patience?
Also - she has started biting! She does need to be brushed - really needs it every day. So I plonk myself down in her cage, put a cushion on my lap, pick her up (after a bit a struggle sometimes) and put her on the cushion and hold her gently with my hand sort under and over her ribcage, shoulders and in front. I don't hold tightly at all - just firmly - and then I start trying to brush her. But then she starts trying to reach down to bite my hand. Okay - she doens't like being brushed and has to get used to it (although her previous owner managed with no problem) but I really don't want to let her get away with trying to bite when I try doing something else she doesn't like. Any tips on nipping this in the bud before it gets worse?
It all just seems a bit of a struggle at the moment - a battle of wills in someways. She seems to dislike me apart from when I put food in for her. It's a bit upsetting in someways. I still love her to bits - but I just want her to be happier when with me I guess and I feel like I'm doing something wrong but I just don't know what!
Our other rabbit is lovely - very tame, and loving and affectionate - but I guess he had to go through the same process of learing to trust his mum and dad. Not sure if having a female makes a difference?