New French Lop..advice needed!

Hello, I have just got a French lop who is 10 weeks old. He has been for his vet check and is nice and healthy the problem I have is that he seems to be running away from me whenever I go near. I have tried sitting in the garden quietly and he does come near but whenever I go to stroke him he scurrys away and hides. Do I just need to give him time? I have only had him since yesterday. Any tips? Thank you

Heather-H88 said:

Hello, I have just got a French lop who is 10 weeks old. He has been for his vet check and is nice and healthy ��the problem I have is that he seems to be running away from me whenever I go near. I have tried sitting in the garden quietly and he does come near but whenever I go to stroke him he scurrys away and hides. Do I just need to give him time? I have only had him since yesterday. Any tips? Thank you ��

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Hello

Yes, giving him time to settle in is necessary. He has had a lot of changes and stress over the last few days. Just sitting with him with a few treats near you will encourage him to approach you, but dont touch him. Put a few treats on your lap and that should encourage him to 'touch' you. Dont respond on the first few occasions. Just talk quietly to him. Rabbits are naturally inquisitive, so sometimes if you sit reading a book and appear to be ignoring Bunny's approach he/she will eventually try to investigate (nibble!!) the book !

Did he have his first vaccination at the Vet ?

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?472636-Vaccinations-2019&p=7041560#post7041560

You will find a lot of information about all things Bunny Care related from the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

These two books are useful to read

http://www.therabbithouse.com/behaviour/

Thank you! Yes he had his first vaccination and will go again in a few weeks for another I have been doing that today just sitting around with food nearby and he has been coming along and then rushing off again, is this usual? Just want to be able to develop a really good strong bond with him. Thank out for your advice

Heather-H88 said:

Thank you! Yes he had his first vaccination and will go again in a few weeks for another �� I have been doing that today just sitting around with food nearby and he has been coming along and then rushing off again, is this usual? Just want to be able to develop a really good strong bond with him. Thank out for your advice

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Just give him time. Until now he has only had his Mum and his siblings as companions. Work on getting him to associate you with tasty treats. Dont try to pick him up unless you absolutely have to.

Is he a House Rabbit or does he live outside ? Rabbits are very social animals and it is almost always best for them to have a Rabbit companion. This especially being the case if the Rabbit is housed outdoors. I feel that it's OK to have a single House Rabbit, when there is human company around most of he time, but if everyone in the household is out at work/school etc during the day then even House Rabbits need companions

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-companionship/