How do I make a rabbit like me, and actually let me pet him?

When I let my rabbit out around the backyard, it always hops away as I try to pet it. Only when it gets extremely afraid (fast breathing, wide eyes) will it let me pet him without moving. How do I make him like me? He's about 2 years old. And not spayed/neutered (whatever the term is).How do I make a rabbit like me, and actually let me pet him?
The very best way to get close to your bunn is to sit on the floor while you let him explore, and he'll eventually come and explore you - and have some food with you, so that when he approaches you, you can show him that you're his friend with this food - a little slice of carrot, or apple, or banana. But don't try to force him, wait until he approaches you. Another thing you can try is laying on your stomach on the floor ... when we do this, our bunn comes right up to my face and sits on the floor in front of me. But this will only happen when he's had plenty of hours and days to explore your room first! The longer you have him out of his cage, and with you, the more he will become familiar with you, and then he will settle down, sit down and relax, and then you can pet him. Another tip, keep things the same around your room, so that he doesn't have to begin his explorations from scratch every time. Bunnies need their areas to be the same every day ... this is how they feel safest and become calmest and more interested in you.





Have a read of these great detailed rabbit sites too -


http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittal鈥?/a> (this one is SO good - how to translate bunny behaviour and language!)


http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/a鈥?/a>


http://www.tagyerit.com/hopline/cold.htm


http://www.rabbit.org/


http://www.houserabbit.co.uk/


http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunn鈥?/a> - http://au.geocities.com/leaswebsite/bunn鈥?/a> - my own site - please have a browse and very, very best of luck to you both.How do I make a rabbit like me, and actually let me pet him?
Take him out of his cage and just hold him, stroking his back and head gently and speaking softly for a few minutes then put him back. After a while, he'll learn to trust you. :) Go VEG!
gentle patience... rabbits instinctively fear anything larger than they are that moves quickly... put some food in your hand, sit quietly and let the rabbit come to you. move slowly and don't reach directly towards it's face... quick movements towards their heads and necks are what predators will do.





my mom's friend has a rabbit and after some patience and gentle feeding and petting, he now sits in her lap and follows her around the house.
what breed of rabbit is it? try petting it in the cage first. its not going to want to pay attention to you when it can run around the backyard instead.
Always approach it with slow movements, holding a hand out so that it can smell you. At first, make no attempt to touch it, simply allow it to know who you are and that you are not a danger. Try a treat now and then with this. Eventually, it will see you as less of a threat and allow you to touch it.





Of course, it's possible that it does not like to be touched. Some animals don't.





I would think that attempting to pet it in it's hutch would be the best place to start. When it is out in the open it knows it is open to attack from other animals and will be more guarded. It should know by now that it's hutch is a safe place and it will feel more secure about interactions there.
when you let him go, try having some food in your hand. also don't hover over him. sit down on the ground and get down, basically, on his level. that way you don't seem so intimidating. if he goes for the food, trying just lightly petting him and see how he likes it. it's just takes time, but he might come around
Try to entice him with carrots, food.





here's a site with some rabbit care advice. Check it out...





http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/rabbit鈥?/a>
Show him a Playboy magazine and he'll simply love you for it !!!
It takes time. Let your bunny trust you first, when you let your bunny run outside, try lying flat on the grass so the bunny can sniff you and you can try to pet it gently. Our bunny only likes it if we pet her on her head, she doesnt like it if we pick her up so we only do that when we clip her nails. Try rubbing above her nose and behind her ears gently.


Maybe if you give her treats (bunny's have a sweet tooth) she will also see that you won't harm him. The pet store sells yogurt treats for bunnies that they really like.
hand feed it carrots
Dress up as a giant carrot !
feed him
i have 3 rabbits. you could give your bunny some carrots or lettuce. they also like parsly and cilantro. they also love dried pineapple, papya, and banana chips. just dont feed him too much. they dont like fingers either. let the rabbit sniff you and then if he lets you pet him with the BACK of your hand, no fingers, they dont like them. they make them feel threatened. if that doesnt work then i dont know what to tell you. some bunnies are more skittish than others though. and DO NOT try to pick him up right away if he wont let you pet him. they dont like that either. hope i helped. = )
you could take him out for dinner once in a while and maybe treat him with a bit more respect than caging up in back yard.


What do you expect?