Questions on pet rabbit behavior
Hi folks,
So my husband impulse purchased a rabbit. I could do nothing to prevent it short of threatening to live elsewhere, so now I am stuck. I wanted him to wait until the pet store got in some fresh, young, small ones, but the day they were supposed to come in the breeder was out, so he bought a gray Dutch that was a little older and had been in the store for one to 1 1/2 weeks.
I used to have a pet Dutch and he was awesome. I raised him from when he was one-hand-sized. This rabbit we bought was two-hand-sized. People come into the store all day long and pet and hold these rabbits, so they didn't get much rest.
My questions: This rabbit is mean! She was great at the store, but now that she is home, she is ultra territorial of her cage, and punches us with her front paws. She has a litter box (pretty good at it too, she learned fast) toys, the proper food. We take her out once a day for half to a full hour to run around in our bedroom. She hates my guts, though. Growls and punches me. She is pretty dominant with my husband, but seems to like him a lot better.
What do I do with this rotten little meanie? We travel sometimes, and I will have to care for her, or friends will have to care for her. A full adult rabbit will be much less amusing with this behavior. Can anyone give me some tips so I can coexist peacefully with the little diva? I was never thrilled about having her here. It would be great if she could be marginally normal.
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