Bess&George
Warren Scout
Hello everyone,
One of my rabbits, 1.5 year old house bun called George, is getting increasingly out of control and I was wondering if anyone had any advice.
What used to quite funny has become a real nuisance, and his behaviour is becoming increasingly stressful and is getting worse every day. I can live with the occasional chewed cables and such, that's fine. But George is obsessed with food and you can't turn your back for a minute without him getting into some sort of trouble. Just today I found him on kitchen table helping himself to some chicken that had been left there just for a few minutes. :? He keeps climbing to places he shouldn't, knocking things over etc, you just have to be constantly aware and not leave any chairs within a metre of any high surfaces or you'll find him there etc.
He's also getting into some dangerous situations, like just this week when I came home I couldn't find him anywhere. After a lot of searching I found him in the kitchen bin, and by the looks of it he had spent the best part of the day there as he was filthy and stained with his own urine. I still can't work out how he managed to get in there, as there's a lid and there were no chairs near the bin.:?
It's come to the point now that my OH is saying he can't take his behaviour anymore and the idea of living with this constant stress for the next 6+ years is just unbearable. I had to go away for work for a few days and it was George that was keeping him on his toes and stressed the whole time, not our three year old daughter. It doesn't help that George got some health issues, he's a snuffle bun and started having some health problems within weeks of moving to ours and has cost us a fortune in vet fees. He came from a rescue but the rescue place stopped all contact with me as soon as I informed them of his health issues and asked for advice.
He's neutered, has plenty of space and toys and chewing things. He can also go outside daily to our 29tf x 9 ft roof terrace/balcony for some fresh air unless it's raining. He lives with another rabbit, his mum, who's the most lovable gentle creature ever and loves being stroked and cuddled, unlike George. I don't know his family history but I suspect he could be an outcome of sibling breeding as his mum is just about 6 months older than he is. Not sure if that could cause some behavioural problems, only had them for less than a year so not an expert with rabbits although I am learning fast!! He's also a very unpredictable, and might come and bite you for no reason. Not great when you have a toddler around. He's also not very nice to his mum and keeps biting her, he's a real ASBO teenager!
Saying no or loud noises such as clapping hands have no effect on him. He understands the word no and you can just tell from he's expression when he's caught that he knows he is doing something he shouldn't, yet he just carries on.
Would anyone have any advice how to stop him from being such a pain? He's getting bolder, more disrespectful and arrogant every day and I don't know what to do with him anymore!
One of my rabbits, 1.5 year old house bun called George, is getting increasingly out of control and I was wondering if anyone had any advice.
What used to quite funny has become a real nuisance, and his behaviour is becoming increasingly stressful and is getting worse every day. I can live with the occasional chewed cables and such, that's fine. But George is obsessed with food and you can't turn your back for a minute without him getting into some sort of trouble. Just today I found him on kitchen table helping himself to some chicken that had been left there just for a few minutes. :? He keeps climbing to places he shouldn't, knocking things over etc, you just have to be constantly aware and not leave any chairs within a metre of any high surfaces or you'll find him there etc.
He's also getting into some dangerous situations, like just this week when I came home I couldn't find him anywhere. After a lot of searching I found him in the kitchen bin, and by the looks of it he had spent the best part of the day there as he was filthy and stained with his own urine. I still can't work out how he managed to get in there, as there's a lid and there were no chairs near the bin.:?
It's come to the point now that my OH is saying he can't take his behaviour anymore and the idea of living with this constant stress for the next 6+ years is just unbearable. I had to go away for work for a few days and it was George that was keeping him on his toes and stressed the whole time, not our three year old daughter. It doesn't help that George got some health issues, he's a snuffle bun and started having some health problems within weeks of moving to ours and has cost us a fortune in vet fees. He came from a rescue but the rescue place stopped all contact with me as soon as I informed them of his health issues and asked for advice.
He's neutered, has plenty of space and toys and chewing things. He can also go outside daily to our 29tf x 9 ft roof terrace/balcony for some fresh air unless it's raining. He lives with another rabbit, his mum, who's the most lovable gentle creature ever and loves being stroked and cuddled, unlike George. I don't know his family history but I suspect he could be an outcome of sibling breeding as his mum is just about 6 months older than he is. Not sure if that could cause some behavioural problems, only had them for less than a year so not an expert with rabbits although I am learning fast!! He's also a very unpredictable, and might come and bite you for no reason. Not great when you have a toddler around. He's also not very nice to his mum and keeps biting her, he's a real ASBO teenager!
Saying no or loud noises such as clapping hands have no effect on him. He understands the word no and you can just tell from he's expression when he's caught that he knows he is doing something he shouldn't, yet he just carries on.
Would anyone have any advice how to stop him from being such a pain? He's getting bolder, more disrespectful and arrogant every day and I don't know what to do with him anymore!