Mini lops are cute little rabbits.They are easy to care for and handle.Mini lops, like most rabbits, don't like being held.It will take some time and patience to get your mini lop comfortable with being held, but it can be an enjoyable experience for the both of you.
Step 1: Don't hold your mini lop immediately.
Do not rush to pick him up and hold him in your arms.The only time rabbits are held in the wild is when they are picked up by a predator.Give him time to get to know you and see you as someone he can trust.If you need to move him from one place to another, place him in a cardboard box with some treats in it.For a few days, leave it in his area so that he doesn't associate it with going to the doctor.
Step 2: Take a break with your mini lop.
If you are about to pick him up, you can use your mini lop.Spending some quality time with him will prevent him from being associated with only being picked up.Allow him to come to you by sitting calmly in his pen.You should give your mini lop the freedom to approach you when he feels like it.Don't pay attention to him when you are in his area.If you wait for him to approach you, read a book or magazine.If you spend more time with him, he will become more comfortable with you.It won't be long before your mini lop comes to you for attention and affection, thanks to the fact thatlop-eared rabbits enjoy interacting with their owners.
Step 3: You should approach your mini lop with food.
Just walking up to your mini lop is not enough.Making a direct approach may cause him to run in the opposite direction.If you are about to walk past him, walk towards him at a slight angle.He should offer food that is part of his daily ration to prevent weight gain.If you are too far away from your mini lop, he may not be able to come to you.He might allow you to walk up to him with food.If you are sitting in his area, you can offer him food.
Step 4: Touch the hold areas during bonding time.
You will mostly be touching his chest, shoulders and bottom when you hold your mini lop.If you only touch him when you want to hold him, he will associate being touched in those three areas with being picked up.Regardless of whether you want to hold him or not, your goal should be to touch him in those areas.He also needs time to adjust to being touched, just like you do.Touch him all over his body as you sit and spend time with him.If you touch the three hold areas without picking him up, he will think you are going to hold him.You need to be patient with your mini lop.It may take a while for him to get used to your touch.
Step 5: Put your hand under the mini lop's chest.
You may be getting a little anxious to hold him.Not so fast!Picking him before he is ready will weaken your bond with him.Put one hand under his chest and apply gentle pressure to get him used to being held.You can reach from one side of his chest to the other by approaching from his side.He feels what you are doing, but not so much that his feet leave the ground.It's possible that your mini lop wants to run away.Let him try again later if he does.When he stops running, apply more pressure to his feet with your hand.After a few seconds, put his feet on the ground.You can give him some treats with your other hand.
Step 6: Place your hand on the bottom of the mini lop.
Lift his back feet up when his front feet are off the ground.Wrap your fingers under his body between his to back legs, by cupping your hand around his mini lop's bottom.Lift up his back legs with a gentle amount of pressure.His legs should be on the ground.Return his feet to the ground.You can give him treats with your other hand.
Step 7: Put your hands in the hold position.
He needs to support his chest and bottom at the same time.Place one hand under the mini lop's chest and the other hand on his back.Lift his feet off the ground and then put them back on the floor.When you put his front back down, keep some treats on the ground.You can try lifting his back as well.
Step 8: If he wants to, let your mini lop run away.
When you are touching him, he may want to move away.That is okay!Let him go away.It would be harder for you to hold him if you tried to grab him.It is important that your rabbit feels comfortable around you.He will be more relaxed around you if you give him freedom to move away.If you are touching him, give him treats to make him stay nearby.
Step 9: Pick up your mini lop.
It may have taken a few weeks to get used to the idea of being held.Your patience has paid off!Pick your mini lop off the ground with your hands under his chest and around his bottom.Hold him off the ground, then hold him in your lap.You might want to hold his back legs with his hand.He would not be able to kick his legs out.When you hold him, he shouldn't be wriggling or struggling.Let him leave if he does.Increase the amount of time you hold him by holding him for a few seconds.When you can hold him without him struggling, give him a treat.
Step 10: Hold your mini lop firmly.
In your arms is where you will want to feel secure.Keep a firm hold of his chest and bottom.If your mini lop doesn't feel safe and secure when being held, he may begin to panic and struggle to escape, which could result in you getting scratched.If your mini lop begins to struggle, he may start kicking his back legs, which are surprisingly strong.He may break his back kicking them.
Step 11: Hold your mini lop frequently.
You should aim to hold him as often as you can, even if you don't feel comfortable doing so.Keeping in mind that your mini lop may not want to be held that often, it would be ideal to hold him every day.His body language should be read.He might be in the mood to be held if you initiate affection with him.Frequent handling may help your mini lop maintain a calm temperament, but only if he is comfortable with the idea in the first place.
Step 12: Children will learn how to hold a mini lop.
They were bred to be hardy enough for young children to hold.Children can be rough.If you have children, teach them how to pick up and hold a mini lop.Don't let your children run with your mini lop in their arms.This could be frightening to him.When your mini lop is handled by your children, keep a close eye on them.