Advice Please RE: Aggression

Hello in looking for some advise about my rabbits she is a Netherland dwarf female and is almost 18 months old and keeps having really funny turns where she attacks my Hand when putting her food bowl in :-( I have spent lots if extra time with her out if the cage recently and she was getting fab at letting me get her out I had only just got confidence in getting we out and letting my little boy pet her but now as started biting me again :-( and I'm worried she might attack my little one

This was a post on facebook on one of the pet sites. I have suggested spaying as has someone else but what else could there be.

A netherland Dwarf is not really the ideal pet with small children as they can bite and this is one of the reasons so many get rehomed or dumped . People get them with small children because they are a small bunny but they have attitudes like most small animals and people.

It sounds to me like cage aggression , is she spayed at all ? most nethies are cage aggressive .

Sounds to me as if the bunny is not keen on being petted by the little boy , if I was her I'd carry on with what she was doing as she sounds as if she was getting somewhere with the rabbit and not let the little boy handle it. I would just let him look but don't touch for now.



Netherland Dwarfs are timid and lively. Gentleness and understanding are needed to win their trust and bring out the best in their personality. They are very active and playful, love climbing and can be quite mischievous. Despite their small size, they need plenty of space as they love to run around and can jump surprisingly high.

Netherland Dwarfs are not suitable with children. They tend to be easily frightened and may become aggressive.

The Netherland Dwarf has a reputation for being nervous and aggressive. Derived from the extremely lively Polish(UK) and wild rabbits, early Netherland Dwarfs were fairly 'wild' as temperament is largely inherited. Breeding stock were selected on the basis of Dwarf characteristics and temperament remained poor during development of the breed. As the breed became established, many breeders placed a greater emphasis on temperament and the Netherland Dwarf has become somewhat calmer and better-natured. Males tend to be more aggressive than females.


http://www.bunnyhugga.com/a-to-z/breeds/netherland-dwarf.html

My neutered nethie is very aggressive, I can't go too near him anymore because he bites on and refuses to let go. I usually disagree that problems are specific to a breed but it seems to be more of a nethie thing, i've heard of quite a few problem ones :/

As others have said, small breeds, particularly nethies are not suitable for children. Nethies are known for being grumpy butts Spaying and pairing with another rabbit and not having them in a shop bought hutch is really the only option. They are worse when they feel confined, esp to a hutch, girls in particular are terrors! Im speaking from experience!

Dolly was terrible from the day i got her, she used to chase me up and down her hutch just while i was sweeping up the patio! She used to go for my hand every time i went into her hutch - i used to have to throw something in one direction to distract her just so i could get her food bowl out or put hay in etc. Even now, she can still be a terror - If i didnt understand bunnies like I do, I would be scared of her, as a lot of people are.

You could reccomend my bunny group to her. Vegan Bunny (Xena and Fivers humum) is my admin, and we have a lot of bunny savvy people, inc vet nurses on there now. Its become a great, friendly little group. She might find it useful. You can PM me with her name, so I know who to look out for if I get some requests to join.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/347735758616388/

I have sent her your advice and a link to your group Sophia (I did get your name right didn't I?) Sorry i'm getting forgetful, I blame the hormones

UD. He only does it when she puts the food bowl in so definately food aggression

Velvet.Tears wrote:I have sent her your advice and a link to your group Sophia (I did get your name right didn't I?) Sorry i'm getting forgetful, I blame the hormones

Yep

Velvet.Tears wrote:UD. He only does it when she puts the food bowl in so definately food aggression

Have you suggested scatter feeding?