Quote:
Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor
I picked up Lito last night and held her for a bit. When she got too squirmy I went to put her down and she totally kicked me in the stomach. A rabbit can really hurt you, and herself, if she's pissed off. She then did what we call "pissed off kicks" as she ran back into her cage, which is a blatantly obvious way of saying she was mad at me. Yet I continue to pick her up every now and then, but not too often nor for too long, as a compromise between the cuddling I want and the freedom she wants.
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The socialization process of a pet is a difficult balance. You want to get them used to be touched, held, petted whatever but you don't want to get to the point where they have a negative view of being touched. It takes time and gentle awareness. We are going through this with Petra right now. She was probably completely feral when we found her on the road at 8 weeks. Although she was easy to handle while she was hurt, he became more feral n behavior again as she got well. She was VERY skitzy and has taken a LOT of work together somewhat socialized. Sh still doesn't like being touched too much, but we've been able to touch her for longer periods of time when we associate the touching with other things she likes such a playing her favorite games. She will never be cuddly, but she has already come a long way.