Taming Rabbits?

[tinydoodles]

Hey guys ^^ I was wondering if anyone knew how/could give me any tips on taming my two rabbits?
I've looked at tutorials online and in books, and while they are helpful, they aren't exactly what I need. I can't give them constant attention because they are outdoor rabbits (don't worry, they have a very big cage and are well cared for c:) and the place where I live is pretty much always raining or wet.
They are comfortable enough around us, but when they're out in the yard they run away if you come toward them and they won't let you touch them very much. Though the younger rabbit (Coco) lets you pet his face a bit if he's inside the cage, and the older one (Cheddar) lets you scratch his back when he's shedding. They absolutely refuse to be picked up and held.
I would like to move them inside, but my mom is allergic to animals so I can't. I can't move them into my room either, since I couldn't fit them both and we're going to be moving to a smaller house soon anyway. If I was to keep one of them inside, it would probably be Coco, since he's slightly more tame, younger, and was actually pretty sweet when he was a baby (Cheddar has always been skittish). It's Coco that I'm more concerned with taming, since I think I've tried with Cheddar before and he never took well to handling. He's also quite old (nearing 10 years) and more set in his ways.

Now, all pointless rambling aside, does anyone have any suggestions for trust training them and making them more comfortable with people holding them? Any suggestions help. I appreciate it ^^

[.Middy.]

The only thing I have found to help me with rabbits is handling them every day for short periods of time and lots of treats.

If possible, try sitting in the pen and putting a couple treats in front of you, dont try to touch them when they come up to you, then leave once they have it. Come back a couple hours later (Or the next day) and put the treats on your legs this time. The next time, in your hand, then pet them gently as they eat out of one hand, eventually make them crawl into your lap to get the treat.

(This is what I did with one of mine, though I may have messed up the explanation.)

[tinydoodles]

The only thing I have found to help me with rabbits is handling them every day for short periods of time and lots of treats.

If possible, try sitting in the pen and putting a couple treats in front of you, dont try to touch them when they come up to you, then leave once they have it. Come back a couple hours later (Or the next day) and put the treats on your legs this time. The next time, in your hand, then pet them gently as they eat out of one hand, eventually make them crawl into your lap to get the treat.

(This is what I did with one of mine, though I may have messed up the explanation.)

No, that's a great explanation c: That's really helpful, thank you.

[.Middy.]

No problem, that worked with both my rabbit and my cat, so hopefully it will work with your rabbits.

[breyercrosscountry]

The same thing has happened to me so I know it helps if you see them often and stroke them and pick them up a lot.

[עורב לבן]

Rabbits are prey animals, so they are very wary. They do not normally like to be picked up, so you have to take this slowly if they are not used to it. Pet them every day. Try sitting in a chair that puts your lap about level with their cage door. Then let them hop onto your lap on their own, whenever they are ready (this may take some time, even days or weeks). When they do, offer them a treat (a small piece of apple or carrot, a bit of green leaf lettuce, or the like), and do not force them to stay there. Let them hop on and off as they like.

Once they get used to that, you can start slowly working on actually picking them up from off of your lap. Be sure they are fully supported. If they feel at all like they are going to fall, they will scramble and scratch to try to get hold of a solid surface. You can tuck their face into your arm, and hold them with both arms. That is a calming position for them. You can also hold them up against your chest, with their rump resting in one hand, and your other hand supporting their shoulders. Do this for short periods of time, then put them back gently (if you put them back in rump first, they are not as likely to scramble and scratch trying to jump back in). Immediately give them a treat. Given time, they will learn that being picked up equals something yummy to eat!