Get comfortable. If the rabbit’s cage or hutch is on the ground, sit next to it. Height can often be intimidating to smaller animals and sitting down reduces height and can make you seem less intimidating. Don’t rush. Put your hand beside the rabbit’s hutch or cage and encourage it to sniff you. Hold your hand there a few moments, speaking in soft, reassuring tones like you would with a human who may be frightened or uncomfortable. Offer a treat. If the rabbit shows no signs of aggression, take a treat like lettuce or carrot, and put your hand inside the cage or hutch. Don’t force the treat on the rabbit, but bring your hand close enough so it can smell the treat. A friendly rabbit will have no problem taking the treat from you. Understand shyness. Just like some people, there are extroverted rabbits and introverted ones. Shyness doesn’t mean the rabbit is aggressive or doesn’t like you; it may just take longer for this rabbit to get to know you.
If the rabbit seems friendly, but hasn’t moved toward you, curl your fingers under your hand, making it seem smaller and less threatening. Using the back of your hands or fingers, lightly stroke the top of the rabbit’s shoulder or flank.
At all times, be ready to gently place the rabbit on the floor or back in the cage. This is in case the rabbit struggles, or tries to leap out of your arms which can cause physical injury.
Find a sofa to sit on, or lean against a wall and gradually slide down until your bottom is on the floor. At this point, you may want to let the rabbit move freely around you and your lap. Be sure to pet the rabbit and offer praise. This helps create a positive association with human interaction, as well as being picked up and held. It can also build confidence in shy rabbits. Play with the rabbit. If bunnies associate getting picked up with play time, it can make them more comfortable with the process. Build a cardboard house for your rabbit to play in, or let it explore your own house. Set up objects like a bowling alley for the rabbit to knock down. As you get to know the rabbit, it’s personality will unfold and you’ll know what sorts of games it likes to play. [3] X Research source
You can teach the rabbit not to struggle by bringing it quickly but gently back against your body. Be patient and repeat this until he sits calmly in your hands until you let go. The first time, only expect him to be still for a short moment before you let him go. As soon as he does not struggle, put him down quickly, so he understands that he is to be calm when you set him down.
Put something soft inside the carrier, like a towel or a bunny bed. Introduce the carrier gradually, letting the rabbit play with or become familiar with the scent. Put food an treats in the carrier so the rabbit associates it with good things. Eventually, your rabbit may hop inside the carrier when it knows you need to move it.
