Firstly there is nothing wrong about being excited and wanting to spend time with your new bundle of fluff, I've read a lot of bonding/befriending guides that highlight one of the most important key factors - leaving the bunny in one area to get used to its surroundings. However that doesn't mean you need to leave it alone completely. The steps below aren't a structured 'bonding' schedule, just what has worked for me which has been a lot of trail and error. I will highlight everything I have found and hopefully will be of some use to some of you guys out there.
1. Introducing
For either a single or a bonded pair, I have found that putting it/them in an enclosed space or indoor rabbit cage is the most effective way to start things off. Ideally it will need to be somewhere family room-wise or somewhere where you spend a lot of time. When I wanted to bond more with Lilith and Fuzzy, I invested in a £150 indoor two tier rabbit cage that sat in our living room - facing out towards us as this is where we spend most of our evenings, therefore the rabbits got used to our scent in the room and gradually became a lot calmer. Your bunny needs to know you and associate your scent with being positive and something not so predatory, in effect we are rewiring their basic of instincts and even though rabbits cannot be entirely tamed - their evolutionary cycle hasn't progressed to that stage yet - we can still get them to the point where some trust can be built.
Side note - In a house with loud noises and children especially, I would recommend keeping the bunnies in another part of the house that the noise will not be as apparent. My partner has three children and when they visited the house, I found that the bunnies retreated inside their cage more and wouldn't be as friendly as long as the noise and strange smells were there. Children can be introduced gradually but will need time and effort to help them to understand that bunnies are timid creatures.
2. Learning the ropes
Now that bunny has a brand new cage and a new set up and a bright new future, we can begin with the bare basics, this stage is not only for bunny but for you as well. Now that bunny is settling in, they will need to learn the rules and be able to identify with their environment. Whether it be a house or garden bunny, they will need at least a couple of hours exercise a day out of their living quarters. The first week or so may be a little quiet as bunny will be getting used to the environment and dedicating itself to learning every little nook and cranny that exists (and how to exploit any weaknesses!) Make sure if there are any potential dangers, to eradicate the chance of bunny getting themselves unnecessarily hurt. Read up on any plants in your garden that could be harmful. Hide or protect any stray wires around the house and be open and prepared to do a fair bit of cleaning up afterwards. Being prepared for any situation is key here and the important thing is to not become angry and upset is bunny is being naughty - it's not deliberate, they are curious creatures by nature and like to know exactly down to the last detail, everything about the surrounding environment. I would also strongly suggest to set up a litter box in the cage where bunny likes to do their business most. (I will be soon writing up an entire separate guide on litter box training.)
3. Socialising
[Coming soon ]
4. Bonding
[Coming soon ]
5. Maintaining
[Coming soon ]
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