Shadow and my DH

Hi everyone

Shadow and my Hubby don't get on, I'm wondering if it's a hierarchy thing and Shadow is trying to be the alpha male. He is so loving to me, grooms me, runs the circle of love constantly, nudges me for nose rubs and always bows his head to me, he's great with the children (James is 9 and Amelie is 3) doesn't really take them on but doesn't attack them BUT DH he does attack. DH is always first up and with Shadow being in the kitchen at the moment obviously has to dodge around him while getting breakfast and lunch ready before work, almost every morning Shadow "goes" for him apparently this morning he actually jumped up and bit his leg DH (Mark) doesn't feed him in a morning and I've said maybe he's trying to get attention for breakfast but he doesn't do it to me if I'm first up (very rare) and don't feed him straight away. It's now got to the point that Mark has TOLD me that Shadow has to go back out into his hutch which I'm worried about as he's been inside since November when the cold and snow started and I'm scared that he'll not be able to adapt back with being acclimatised to the central heating. Mark won't budge on it and has said he wishes he'd never agreed to me having Shadow as he thinks I'm being devious and going behind his back to make him a house rabbit when he insisted he'd be outside. I'd ALWAYS said I wanted a house rabbit especially when I learnt they could be litter trained.
Mark hates the mess in the kitchen and I agree that it's not exactly hygienic but he won't let me buy an indoor cage. Shadow isn't a difficult rabbit, he's great he doesn't chew things (much ) and he's adventurous (goes upstairs alot) Mark left me a message on the blackboard in the kitchen this morning saying SHADOW MUST GO OUTSIDE TODAY, what can I do? What do you think?
Help
E x

Oh sorry to hear that. I really wouldn't put him outside yet, if you say to Mark that he'll most likely end up with a load of vets bills if you do, it might sway him. Shadow could well end up with respiratory illness and cold if he does.

It sounds like a fairly common behaviour issue. I suspect that Shadow simply knows that Mark doesn't like him there. They do pick up on this. Shadow will be responding to your pheromones and your love and attention.
I would try to get Mark involved. If he starts feeding Shadow little bits of veg, or pellets, and ultimately if he can get him to eat off his hand, that will be the first indication of bonding.

TBH (and I don't mean this disresectfully to Mark) it sounds as if he needs to change the way he thinks about Shadow. Try the little treats etc, and who knows, he may weeble his way into his affection.

It's not an uncommon situation, but I'm sorry you're having this, it's difficult.

I cannot reiterate enough though, Shadow must not go outside until the weather has warmed up. It sounds a bit strong, but would he put one of your children out there? No, he wouldn't. Rabbits need a thick coat to survive, and Shadow won't have this until he has lived through an autumn.

however, if there's a shed he can go in, perhaps that you can heat, that may be ok.

Thank you Jay.

I needed someone to tell me in black and white that my Boy shouldn't be going outside yet.

Mark does feed him when I'm out but obviously I don't know if he talks to him etc, I imagine that he just puts the food down and walks away. He never takes him on while I'm around and even when I'm fussing Shadow in my arms I'll say to Mark to give him a fuss all he does is rubs him with one finger then walks off, he's a stubborn hard headed b****er. I did notice the other day that Shadow was licking Mark's slippers but Mark didn't take him on, Shadow once ate the bottom of his jeans as he didn't know what he was doing and that hasn't gone down very well.

Will try and get round Mark (pointing out what you said about the vet bills) and see if he'll try to bond, thing is Shadow's a glutton for his food (as you'll know our Rexes love their grub ) so will take from anyone, how else can he bond with him?

Thank you again, I hate the thought of my boy out in the cold!
E x

Ooh another question....
Would Shadow be ok, outside in his run for a short time during the day? Obviously not if the grass is wet but just to get a little exercise and fresh air (and knowing Shadow to eat lots of brambles and grass and pear branches and anything else that happens to get in munch distance)

Then I could give the kitchen a jolly good clean as I can't leave him alone in the front room while I do it!

E x

[b]If its not to rude what does DH stand for when I first got ruffin she used to bite my wife it didn't last long when she started feeding her and giving her treats

Sorry DH=Dear Husband
Mark does occasionally feed Shadow, wonder if he fed him in the morning it would make a difference, I have said if he fed him then he wouldn't be trying not to stand on him as he'd be in one place eating and not interesting in trying to savage his leg
E x

paul gets up before me, and him and Stewie have their brekky together. he gives him his pellets by making him stand up for them, just a few, but it's a little ritual that they have in the mornings.

Paul's allergic to buns, so can't make lots of physical fuss over him, but this gives them contact time

AprilGirl wrote:Ooh another question....
Would Shadow be ok, outside in his run for a short time during the day? Obviously not if the grass is wet but just to get a little exercise and fresh air (and knowing Shadow to eat lots of brambles and grass and pear branches and anything else that happens to get in munch distance)
E x

you have to asses the temperature. If it's cold, frosty or snowing, then only for short periods. The biggest problem is repeatedly going from cold to warm to cold etc. if you're gonna leave him out there for long, then make sure he has somewhere snug to go in, a big cardboard box with a blanket and hay in it, or if you have a hutch, insulte it with cardboard and lots of hay.

As soon as we're over the worst of the winter, it'll be ok for short spells, but not in and out all day.

[b] Jay how did you get away with calling your rabbit Stewie I wanted to call our first bun Stuart shortened to stew but got a whack round the head from my wife

Ruffin wrote:[b] Jay how did you get away with calling your rabbit Stewie I wanted to call our first bun Stuart shortened to stew but got a whack round the head from my wife

Always best avoided, that

When he was found wandering the streets he was 5 weeks old, and the rescue he went to called him Stuart, after Stuart Little - him being tiny and white. We did think about changing it, obviously, but then I figured it was a part of his past that was important, and that we should keep, if only to remind us of his poor start in life. He gets 'Stuart' a lot at home, but he's Stewie Bunsta really, and I think it suits him completely, so can live with it

Why not put hubby in the hutch outside?!!

Jo xx

Nice idea, see how he likes it! Would actually suit me better, prefer Shadow's company sometimes
E x

I know just what you mean!!!

Jo xx

jolovesbunnies wrote:Why not put hubby in the hutch outside?!!

Jo xx

Sounds like the perfect solution to me Thats exactly what I would do with my OH if he suggested my Roo go outside!

jolovesbunnies wrote:Why not put hubby in the hutch outside?!!

Jo xx

lol


sometimes my house soooooooooo manic with a 5 year old, 4 year old and a 20mth old, I feel like living in the hutch myself!!!