How to Bond with Your Rescued Rabbit: A Week‑by‑Week Guide
Welcoming a rescue rabbit into your home is a rewarding journey—yet many adopters find the adjustment period delicate. As someone who’s fostered dozens of rescue bunnies, I’ve honed a proven, four‑week bonding protocol that balances patience, positive reinforcement, and structured interaction.
Week 1: Observation & Safe Space
- Setup: Provide a quiet pen with hideaways, fresh hay, water, and a few toys.
- Approach: Sit quietly beside the pen, speaking softly. Avoid sudden movements.
Week 2: Hand‑Feeding & Gentle Touch
- Treats:_ Introduce small, safe treats (dried cilantro) from your palm.
- Touch:_ Once the rabbit reliably takes treats, slowly offer the back of your hand for sniffing; then gentle stroking of the head.
Week 3: Floor Time & Exploration
- Supervision:_ Allow supervised runs in a bunny‑proofed room.
- Interaction:_ Sit on the floor, read aloud, or quietly use your laptop—your calm presence encourages exploration around you.
Week 4: Trust Games & Play
- Enrichment:_ Incorporate toys from Article 2.
- Games:_ “Follow the Treat” and low obstacles to build confidence.
Key Principles
Consistency: Daily sessions, even 10 minutes, are better than infrequent long ones.
Patience: Each rabbit has its own timeline; celebrate small milestones.
Respect: Never force interaction—let your bunny set the pace.
By month’s end, you’ll often see your rescue rabbit nudge your hand for pets, flop comfortably beside you, and even perform joyful zoomies. This trust‑based bond enriches both your lives and sets the stage for advanced training—like litter‑box use and gentle leash walking.
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