I got a new bunny - What now?
Building Trust: The New rabbit.
Robert Plutchik’s theory says that there are 8 basic emotions. Fear, Anger, Sadness, Joy, Disgust, Surprise, Trust, and Anticipation.
Remember that your bunny may be experiencing emotions such as Fear, Anger, Sadness, Surprise... Keep in mind that he may have mixed feelings.
From your side, you need to first establish TRUST.
Trust is a positive emotion, while admiration and adoration are stronger, and acceptance is weaker.
Having your rabbit trust you, is vital to the understanding and relationship between you and your fur baby. Especially when you get a new rabbit, (s)he may be scared, weary and you will need to build trust. Trust in letting you close, trust in picking up, trust in handling, and grooming.
When you first meet/rescue a new bun, the way that you approach him/her the first time; is what will be the basis of your relationship and trust. If you fly in aggressively and talk loudly, you will have a much longer way to repair the damage to building trust. Even in rescue situations, always talk softly, and try to move slowly when close to the rabbit. If you do have to approach the bunny fast in order to catch it, what you do next is of the utmost importance. Hold the bunny LEVEL or at a 30-degree angle, with the front feet and chest on one hand and pat-pat the bottom softly with the other one that crosses over to hold it, (like you would with a baby) while talking softly to the bun and kiss it softly between the ear and eye. Do not touch the ears of the bunny at the start.
Kissing between the ear and eye is a soft movement that mimics trustful, non-aggressive, and friendly grooming in rabbits. Never kiss ON the ear, or ON the eye, and be careful of wearing lipstick or lip-gloss, if you do; then rather press your chin or nose (wearing no smudge make-up) on the spot. Do not attempt to touch the face with your fingers at first. This may result in a bite if the bun feels scared.
When you know that you are getting a new rabbit, or have to rescue one, wear as little make-up and perfume as you can, and make sure that there are no creams or lotions on your hands. Also, try and wear clothes that have been worn once before, and are not too clean and smelling of detergents. The bunny must smell YOU, as natural as can be. That is one of the best secrets in starting your trust-building relationship with your bun.
When you put the rabbit down in their first place to stay after you acquired it, offer it food or a treat, by showing it to him/her, with the fingers and palm of your hand to the top, at floor level. Always talk softly to the bun, telling him/her what you do. The tone of your voice, when soft and calm, will tell the rabbit that you do not mean harm.
Place the food about 10-20cm away from the bun, if possible and if they allow you that close. Otherwise, place the food at the distance where you see the bun becomes skittish. Do not attempt to touch the bunny when placing the first food. Make sure water is available, and then leave the bunny to settle in for at least half an hour before visiting again, but try to keep an eye from afar.
Because you kissed / nose-rubbed the rabbit's face, you will see one of the first responses is that he/she will start to groom him/herself. This is a positive sign, as the bun will make peace with the initial smells. If the bun takes a while to groom, it will show he/she is uncomfortable with you, and you will need to check your own calmness – or the perfume/make-up you wear and be sure that it is naturalized before approaching the rabbit again. As always, keep an eye on eating, drinking, poops, and wees.
Now that you have won the first steps of trust, keep on building trust, to lead to full acceptance of the bunny to be your friend.