leah
New Member
Posts: 23
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Post by leah on Jul 12, 2010 19:51:23 GMT -5
The nipping could just be a stage he'll grow out of. My advice is when he nips, tell him firmly "NO" - don't shout, just use a firm tone, he'll soon learn what is and isn't acceptable.
I have to admit all our own bred that leave here are, without exception, brimming with confidence due to handling from an early age. I hope you don't mind me mentioning but you did seem a tad nervous about handling Red - which as a highly intelligent rabbit, he'll pick up on and he'll play on that.
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Post by tundratreasures on Nov 21, 2010 22:37:48 GMT -5
Hate to say it, but I know a least one US breeder who's females are 'temperamental' Keep the doe bred, and she is fine, bucks from this line are friendly, but very 'assertive' if a buck is uppity, be very careful. I had one slash my finger to the bone, there was nothing around, he is aggressive, pushing my hand around when I feed. Afterwords I noticed the rest of my bucks were also very aggressive and jumpy, I think a loose dog had pissed on the rabbitry fence.
But I have also heard that they don't like hand sanitizer or strong perfume, (or maybe like too much) as I also know a few ladies who point out that does will nuzzle up on their neck and bite where the perfume was applied.
Daily handling and exercise helps alot, they are also 'single person' rabbits by large.
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Post by rachel on Nov 26, 2010 18:49:24 GMT -5
Hehe, I think this goes a long way towards showing just how much individual temperaments come into play with these rabbits! Or even environmental factors such as the way they are raised and handled. From the same breeder, my doe that was raised there is extremely sweet and docile. The buck that was sold as a kit is a little touchy, but nothing unmanageable. Seems like blanket statements just don't cover these guys, I guess. R Hate to say it, but I know a least one US breeder who's females are 'temperamental' Keep the doe bred, and she is fine, bucks from this line are friendly, but very 'assertive' if a buck is uppity, be very careful. I had one slash my finger to the bone, there was nothing around, he is aggressive, pushing my hand around when I feed. Afterwords I noticed the rest of my bucks were also very aggressive and jumpy, I think a loose dog had pissed on the rabbitry fence. But I have also heard that they don't like hand sanitizer or strong perfume, (or maybe like too much) as I also know a few ladies who point out that does will nuzzle up on their neck and bite where the perfume was applied. Daily handling and exercise helps alot, they are also 'single person' rabbits by large.
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Post by stonesrock on Nov 30, 2010 14:49:34 GMT -5
How to train them not to bite. So far my 3-month-old biting I chalk up to curiosity. she'll nip a little test nip when held. What's the best way to train then not to de that? I warn the children that they will bite anything that is put in front of their mouths.
Any tips on good rabbit raising/training books. We would also like to train our pet rabbits to "jump" as in rabbit steeple jumping.
Biting fingers off - now, that's just terrifying
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Post by tundratreasures on Nov 30, 2010 21:44:51 GMT -5
unfortunatly it's hard If you hit a buck, he is more likely to just attack you the next time, same goes for does, or you get them to the point where they attack on sight or cower.
If it's curiosity nips, or pecking order nips bitter apply spray, sold at pet stores to keep dogs from chewing might work
and learning rabbit behavior, most give warning, but some don't, I have a nasty dimpled scar on my pointer finger to remind me of that.
It's really is behavior and handling, hitting with a rabbit really doesn't do much good, a dog gets nipped by higher ups to keep it in line, a rabbit gets it head put down (and they can and DO fight, it's nasty and not fun to PULL apart.
you should ALWAYS approach a rabbit from front above, if it's getting uppity, put a finger or hand between it's eyes and push the head down, once it goes down, then you can pick it up, unfortunately some rabbits never are that friendly. But much like dogs, the more you work with it, the better it can and will behave.
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Post by stonesrock on Dec 1, 2010 5:08:49 GMT -5
thanks, We may try the spray. We've had no big bites. Mostly just nips at clothing.
(\ /) ( . .) c(”)(”)
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