Posted by Melony on 28/9/2005, 5:50 pm, in reply to "Need Advice" Is it possible to make a safe area outdoors that you can sit in with them? Just sit there, take a book if necessary and let them get used to you. I promise that even if they never like being picked up, they will run and climb all over you. When handling them it's really important that they feel secure. Get down to their level rather than stooping over and swooping them up. Bring them quickly to your chest and hold them firmly so they know they're not going to fall. If they start struggling, keep a firm hold and talk to them. I find it helps to have their feet against you as this stops a lot of the wiggling and kicking (save you some skin and bruises too!). Think about it this way, rabbits are prey animals and a lot of their attackers are airborne. Being scooped up and lifted to great heights probably sets of every survival instinct they have. When trying to figure out a situation that just isn't working, I find that putting myself in their position and thinking about their motivations helps enormously. Keep in mind that some rabbits just aren't cuddly. With any bun like that I try to respect their feelings and just keep handling to a minimum. I approach them on their terms and treasure each time they chin me or climb into my lap. Hope that helps. Good luck! Melony
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It takes time to build trust between you and the rabbits and some rabbits will never like being handled no matter how much you try, Sophie was a classic example. I did get to the point that she would let me handle her if necessary, but each time I had to chase her and she never got any better, even after me intensively nursing her over a 2 week peroid!
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