Yea it sounds like a territory thing.. so if you put your hand in his house etc he nips.. and if he is in the garden loose? he nips? have I get this right?
If he hated you he would nip in your arms also.. does he nip as soon as you put him back on the ground after picking him up?
Neutering does help but doesn't stop the behaviour and usually it is within a week that biting stops after neutering... Betsy who was posted on here yesterday is a nipper... and she has been neutered a while it seems. I would think he would have stopped it by now unless it's triggered and not instinct.
I suggest;
Not putting your hand in his cage / house for anything apart from Hay, Fod, Water... positive things. (he may not see you stroking him as positive YET!)
Open his cage / run / house and sit on the floor by him - not touching him.. does he still nip you? If so he is a bossy little beggar! As this normally means "move out my way!"
Some people say letting out a scream when they bite, makes them understand it hurts.. as rabbits squeal when in pain.. but if they mean to bite you they already know it's going to hurt (this never worked for me)
All I did was firstly respect their space - it's the safety net / safehaven whatever you want to call it. I only used to put my hands in hutches/houses for food and cleaning. Stroking wise I would bend and let them sniff my nose.. but I wouldn't touch them... they accepted this gesture, and I built on this by just letting them sniff my hand but still not touching them, then progressed to giving one head stroke after placing their food in.
If he nips you when you are our sitting in the ground etc, tell him no and put him back in his house. I know gentle nose tapping works on cats and dogs but it's wasted energy on rabbits. Taking away their enjoyment briefly will get the message across.
Everytime he bites (outside of his house/hutch) put him back in his cage, leave it for 5 mins and let him out. If he comes out and does not nip you, leave him be, praise him and let him go back to his house etc without handling him, and avoiding any nipping opportunities. Once he has come out and not nipped you, it is a good sign that he will remember this "routine". Building up to stroking him gradually is the answer, as I think he is saying "get out of my house" and "leave me be".
I may be wrong, but the above has worked for me so I thought it may be of use for you to try :wave: Seems buns want affection on their terms only
If he nips after you have had him in your arms, and put him on the ground - I would take this as "don't do that again - I don't like it" so would only pick him up for health checks/treatment and vets trips! He will learn to trust you then and will want affection - without nipping you. None of mine are picked up for affection, they follow me round, lie there for a fuss or I lie on the floor with then. They seem to prefer it
Good Luck and I hope this makes some sense! :wave:
I always type essays... but if I cut them short I sound like I'm being off, so sorry for essay
:lol: