Unsocial rabbit

[moonchild]

I rescued my Tasha from a home where there was domestic abuse about 3 1/2 years ago, along with two other rabbits. She was about 5 months old when I rescued her and has never liked being around people. She gets excited when she sees me, but I'm sure that is because of the treats I bring her. She will put up with me trimming her nails, but doesn't like to be petted. My other rabbit that I rescued with her became very tame, but I suspect he is about a month younger than Tasha. I was wondering if anyone else has experience with unsocial rabbits. I adore her anyway and I don't plan on trying to force her to change. I have just never read anything on this board about unsocial rabbits.

[Sasami]

I have a rabbit like that who was a rescue just like yours. His name is Stash and he's a four-year-old neutered male who I got a year and a half ago. He's friendly...in a way. He seems to enjoy hanging out near people but at a distance. He'll beg for treats and sometimes even nudge you but the moment you go to pet him he'll run off. It really seems like he was abused . I know that he's at least happy because he's always playing and doing binkies. Stash is also bonded to another rabbit who he loves...so he's not lonely .

Sometimes I wish I could at least touch him but I've just accepted him for who he is. It would also make transporting him and nail trimming easier because he completely flips out when you pick him up!

I know Stash at least likes me a little because sometimes we'll play a game with a slinkie and when he goes to the vet he always clings to me . But he's not into petting or anything like that.

When I first got Sakura she was an older adult who was never handled and was living outdoors in a tiny hutch . She wasn't being cared for very well and didn't know how to react to people. The thing that helped her the most with trust was letting her have free-range of the house. This way she could come to me on her own when she was ready . She's now a snuggle-bunny. I want to let Stash free-range but he lives with Elvis who is a bad bunny .

[moonchild]

I had Tasha in the house for about 3 weeks, but because of the other pets I couldn't let her run in the house. I would take her outside for her free range time. I had her in a large dog cage in the house with a small animal carrier for a nesting box. Whenever anyone came into the room, she would hide in the carrier. She has bonded to my other rabbit, so she at least has company. We have a tiny house with a big yard, so I keep them outside where I can give them more space. My little neighbor kids come over to see the rabbits, and they love to help me clean the litter boxes, but Tasha will have nothing to do with them. My buck Chewy will get in the submissive position and let the children pet him (sometimes). I built my rabbits a huge hutch that I put inside of a large chain link pen. I am hoping next summer I can afford to enclose the top of the pen so they can go in and out of their hutch whenever they please. I love watching them run and play. If they are happy, I am happy!