How do you tame a rabbit?
By sarah456
@sarah456 (86)
October 21, 2008 11:11am CST
Me and my friend resently got a rabbit. However she isnt tame. When you try to stroke her or pik her up she runs away. I have tried sitting in the garden all day while shes out but that was a waste of time. i have also tried feeding her and she clawed my wrist. If i try to much 2 pick her up she gets scared and bites.
Please help i dont want to take her back but i looks like i might have to
1 person likes this
3 responses
@catdla1 (6005)
• United States
21 Oct 08
Taming a creature with a timid personality is a challenge, but it can be done. It takes a long time, but can also be very rewarding if you are patient. I assume she is in some kind of cage, or pen. I would start with the very basics. Do not try to pick her up or touch her right away, that reinforces her fear of you. Just stick to the basics for a while....feeding, watering and talking to her. Are there any treats that she especially likes? She needs to associate you and your voice with good things. After a week or two, try holding a treat in your hand, to see if she will come to you to take it. She may not right away, but keep at it. After she feels comfortable with taking a treat from you, slowly try petting her at the same time. You want her to associate your touch with good things. Eventually, when she gets used to your touch, try picking her up (while talking to her, as she should be used to your voice by this time) while giving her a treat.
Do you see what we're accomplishing here? We working on establishing trust, and building on it. When you rush to do something like picking her up or forcing her to eat from your hand, is scares her. Move slowly and you will be rewarded with a loving pet.
@kezza246 (82)
•
25 Oct 08
I have a rabbit who i have just recently found out was a girl. I think that your rabbit is probably a girl. All you have to do is stick with it and persist, all girl rabbits go through this stage, and as long as you carry on giving them the same amount of love and care as before then they will pull through. M y rabbit did this and we were contemplating giving her away, but we decided to keep her and now she is well behaved and very affectionate. Good luck :)
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
22 Oct 08
How old is the rabbit? and how long have you had her? If she's young you can follow the above advice, and should do well, also once you do start holding her, you might try wrapping a towel around her so she feels secure, and keep her rear feet supported, they feel more secure that way. I'm presently raising 3 orphaned cotton tails, they are doing well and should be ready to release in a week or two.
