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Question for rescue and those....

Gem

Wise Old Thumper
That take on 'aggressive' rabbits

How many of them can be transformed into a rabbit you can rehome :?:
 
I adopted Jacob from the RSPCA cos he bit me when I stroked him. I took him cos I figured no one else would. He hasn't bitten me since, but I still can't pick him up without incurring injury, but that's him and his desire to keep feet on terra firma is something I have to respect (most of the time :lol: ) I think it depends what people are looking for in a bunny. If they just want to give a home to a rabbit who otherwise wouldn't get one or are up for a challenge, then why not?
 
I think they can be with a lot of time and patience.

I think many tho, will be the kind of rabbit to be left to their own devices most of the time and any new owner would have to be happy with this- that they will not necessarily become cuddly buns.
 
I don't think you can give a definate answer to this..if the bun has been biting and aggressive for a long time then it will be hard to break the habit and it may always be that way...but if it is recent aggression through fear/bad treatment..they can change quite dramatically..In the past 6 months I've had Bandit and Molly-moo who were both attackers on arrival..both turned into wonderful cuddle-buns with lots of TLC...
..
 
I am a firm believer any bunny find the right 'forever home'! It took 2 and a half years for a particularly awkward pair to find a home.

I have a pair of dutch here at present, they have been here over a year. Viola, the doe, is very sweet and gentle. Humbug is not :lol: :lol:
A couple came to see them recently. I explained about Humbug's bunny punching and showed what he did. The man put his hand in and Humbug bit a chunk out of his knuckle. For some reason they chose another pair!

I also have a pair of mini rexes. I always say I should have named Petal Belladonna! She is so pretty but her delicate face hides a maelstrom! The breeder said she needed to be put in a bucket of water, so from the start I loved her! Her husband Tiger Tim is completely different.

The more aggressive bunnies do need extra special homes, people who will still adore them and continue to work with them. Louise from Redditch (Hopper Haven) homed a very sad aggressive bunny from me, (Zebedee, his owner had set her dog on him to try to kill him) and Ellepotter had Scarlet, not so vicious but certainly with some issues. I also have a friend in Ross on Wye who has homed a few bunnies from me. Two in particular were very full of angst. She has done wonders for them and continues to give them lots of love.

I always like to believe if they cannot be changed, they can find some peace and contentment, being left to their own devices if that is how they are. Also if they have not been homed for a while (no doubt because of their behaviour) I do tend to find them a loving bunny friend, so if they do have to stay here they are not lonely!

I have a very soft spot for aggressive bunnies and I have found, so far, they are particularly intelligent. I can actually see Petal working things through in her mind. Not so sure about Humbugs IQ, oh dear, expect I will get a very strong lunge from him for this!!!

Sorry, I have completely waffled on. Some bunnies can certainly change just by being in a situation where they feel safe, fed and loved. For others you can get them used to being with humans to a degree. Mine are usually picked up everyday and they do learn to accept their 'bunny checks' are part of their routine. I am sure there will always be rabbits who cannot change, their behaviour becomes almost part of a habit that is difficult to break through.

Alice
 
just read your other post in care section...this bun was probably reacting to the smell of other rabbits and a new enviroment....only to be expected in a way....
If he is new in you really should be careful about putting him near your own rabbits for fear of cross infection :?
Neuter him and keep the others out of sight and I'm sure he'll settle down :D
 
2 of my rabbits are agressive. They lurve to hate me, but its just who they are and I love them because of it. Atleast when they nip me I know they are paying attention to me and if its a full on bite (well I can understand what they want) and its not that im cruel or mean to them its just what they do, sometimes we still share some nice moments but usually they like to socialise with each other and not have anything to do with me, unless I have food, but sometimes they bite my hands when im trying to put their food dishes down :lol:
 
I have just rehomed a female rabbit who came to me as their owners were about to move into separate accomodation. I knew nothing about that this rabbit bit and growled usually :? I took it in to live in my kitchen initially, I protected myself when handling her which I kept to a minimum, allowed her free time out when I was downstairs with her. She was neutered and slowly has become a really nice bun now she has realised that she humans mean treats :D

Almost a year later she was paired up with a lovely boy and has now gone to her forever home to live in a shed with a huge garden.

As someone else has said finding the right owner is really important ... ARC have had some rabbits who have been moved to a different foster home and their behaviour has been very different ... and for the best. Rabbits like us jel with some people and not with others.
 
Lots of rabbits come in with agression issues, many territorial in nature, which sort out with neutering and time.

Even a determined biter, like Zebedee, will calm down in time. I dare say I could rehome him now if I wanted to. He has been here for a year. But he would need the same sort of home he has here - lots of space and minimum human interaction. But he is mine, all mine :wink:

Some stay agressive and people hating all their lives. To my mind all they need is the right home, many people like a challenge, and these rabbits are often very lively and full of character so that watching them is enough for an owner.

The thing is not to try and rush them. I am willing to keep an animal as long as it takes, or forever, as half of what I do is act as a sanctuary.
 
My Poppy was an absolute monster when I met her at eve's, She bit me first off, she growled and hissed! I still have the scar, and Eve's young daughter told me, "That one keeps making my mum bleed"!!

I spent a bit pf time with her and she didn't actually attack me so I took her on, like someone else sais, I thought no one else would want her. once home and bonded with Gus she has turned into the sweetest most affectionate bunny you could want, I'm so glad I chose her!
 
Would you all advise getting an aggressive male neutured ASAP??
It's just my vet said we should let Billy settle down in his new home first (we've now had him a week). I'm concerned about leaving him too long because he viciously attacked me twice on saturday.

He is going to be moved to the spare bedroom this week, so he can't smell or see the girls. I think this will probably help, but I'm terrified of him now :cry:


Nicola
 
I would say get him done ASAP..it may well help but remember it won't be instant..wear gardening gloves rubbed with your hands first..when trying to handle him..then you won't be so scared if he bites...good luck!
 
louise and Gus said:
My Poppy was an absolute monster when I met her at eve's, She bit me first off, she growled and hissed! I still have the scar, and Eve's young daughter told me, "That one keeps making my mum bleed"!!

I spent a bit pf time with her and she didn't actually attack me so I took her on, like someone else sais, I thought no one else would want her. once home and bonded with Gus she has turned into the sweetest most affectionate bunny you could want, I'm so glad I chose her!

remeber that loiuse it was so embarasing, there was me knowing she would come good so didnt want to put you off straight away and KC blatantly telling you what a monster she was, neutering sure helped her though!
 
he he your daughter seems to have a great knack for honesty :lol: :lol:

You were so right about her though, such a sweety now :love:
 
honeybunny said:
I would say get him done ASAP..it may well help but remember it won't be instant..wear gardening gloves rubbed with your hands first..when trying to handle him..then you won't be so scared if he bites...good luck!

Wear gloves that cover your wrists!! & Wellies if you are in his area :D
 
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