timid rabbit

[babybop6379]

my rabbit 16 weeks old is still very timid and wont be picked up as soon as you go to pick him up he either thumps or scrambles to get away from us. he is ok indoors and will come up to us when we sit on the floor but still wont be petted on our laps. when we take him outside he jumps up on to my shoulders when sitting and wont leave me alone very confusing! what is going on with him and how can we resolve this because he isnt scared of us hes just stubborn we think.

[estie]

Most rabbits will NEVER tolerate being held. My first rabbit allowed me to lift and move her, but not to hold her for more than a few seconds. My current 2 do not allow me to lift them at all. None have ever sat in my lap for petting. Rabbits are prey animals and it is instinctive for them to struggle to escape when lifted. There are hundreds of reports of very serious injuries due to this. Please don't try to force him if he's not comfortable with it. You will all be much happier (and safer) with him comfortably on the ground!

But, it is important to know how to lift and hold him properly in case of emergency, so have a look at these sites for tips and techniques, and good luck!!

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-11/lift.html

http://web.archive.org/web/20011121080410/http://www.therabbitcharity.freeserve.co.uk/picking-up.html

[estie]

Just delete the </P> from the end of the first.

And the second should be:

http://web.archive.org/web/20011121080410/http://www.the rabbitcharity.freeserve.co.uk/picking-up.html