Wizzy Lizzy
Warren Scout
Lorenzo hates being picked up! He doesn't bite or anything but if he thinks I am going to pick him up he hides in his bedroom and wriggles and does all he can to avoid it!
Trouble is that I have to somehow transport him from his night time hutch to his daytime run and hutch set-up! I have tried getting him used to going into his carry crate (which he isn't bad at in the evening when I put him back in his night time hutch) but in the morning he refuses!
This morning I ended up blocking off his bedroom and cornering him! The vet taught me how to pick him up properly but I think he is a bit scared at the vet and doesn't wriggle or try to avoid it! The only way I can pick him up is to (gently) take a hold of his scruff of his neck, put my hand under his bottom for support (and to take all of the weight), bring him into my chest and cuddle him. Once picked up he is usually ok for a few seconds before he starts wriggling again. I try to hold him as gently but as securely as possible so that he doesn't hurt himself.
I don't know if I am doing it wrong and am causing more issues than I am solving! I visited a friend that also has rabbits and she let me practice on hers - the difference is that they sit still and let you pick them up! It is impossible to put it into practice for Lozzie
This morning as soon as he got in his run he thumped a foot at me! (although he was happily binkying around and eating his food and playing with his tunnels and toys immediately after!)
I have to be able to pick him up (if he won't go into his carry crate). Also in the spring/summer I want to give him the run of the garden and let him in the kitchen but I don't want to do this until I am confident he can be picked up just in case he gets himself into trouble.
He loves tickles and strokes and will lie there for hours being petted. He is as friendly as anything, it is just this one picking up issue that makes things a bit stressful!
Any advice?!
I am getting another bun in a few weeks (he is being neutered on Monday) - I'm hoping that may calm him down a bit!
Trouble is that I have to somehow transport him from his night time hutch to his daytime run and hutch set-up! I have tried getting him used to going into his carry crate (which he isn't bad at in the evening when I put him back in his night time hutch) but in the morning he refuses!
This morning I ended up blocking off his bedroom and cornering him! The vet taught me how to pick him up properly but I think he is a bit scared at the vet and doesn't wriggle or try to avoid it! The only way I can pick him up is to (gently) take a hold of his scruff of his neck, put my hand under his bottom for support (and to take all of the weight), bring him into my chest and cuddle him. Once picked up he is usually ok for a few seconds before he starts wriggling again. I try to hold him as gently but as securely as possible so that he doesn't hurt himself.
I don't know if I am doing it wrong and am causing more issues than I am solving! I visited a friend that also has rabbits and she let me practice on hers - the difference is that they sit still and let you pick them up! It is impossible to put it into practice for Lozzie
This morning as soon as he got in his run he thumped a foot at me! (although he was happily binkying around and eating his food and playing with his tunnels and toys immediately after!)
I have to be able to pick him up (if he won't go into his carry crate). Also in the spring/summer I want to give him the run of the garden and let him in the kitchen but I don't want to do this until I am confident he can be picked up just in case he gets himself into trouble.
He loves tickles and strokes and will lie there for hours being petted. He is as friendly as anything, it is just this one picking up issue that makes things a bit stressful!
Any advice?!
I am getting another bun in a few weeks (he is being neutered on Monday) - I'm hoping that may calm him down a bit!