Rabbits are social animals that can be trained quickly.Many humans fail to train their rabbits because they use the wrong approach or they don't spend enough time on training.If you want to build a better relationship with your bunny, you need to get started now.
Step 1: Understand what motivates you.
Rabbits respond quickly to incentives.Strong punishment, such as yelling at a rabbit, won't make it more cooperative.Most rabbits will respond to incentives correctly if you use them correctly.Food and toys may be used as rewards for your rabbit.Rabbits are prey animals, so if they feel frightened, they will usually flee and try to hide.If they exhibit this behavior, you need to find a way to make them feel safer before attempting to train them.
Step 2: Understand how rabbits use sight and smell.
In front of their faces, bunnies do not see well.They see to the side and far away better than up close because their eyes are set far apart.You will want to place treats under the rabbit's nose and mouth because he will use scent and whisker feedback to detect anything in the immediate environment more so than sight.rabbits change their head position as you approach.A person with bifocals is trying to get the glasses and their eyes lined up to see.Rabbits need to be seen from far away so that they can run and hide to save themselves.The rabbit needs to see and smell you before you can touch it.This will make it easier to handle the rabbit.It can verify that you are not a predator by smelling you and seeing you.
Step 3: Remember, kindness goes a long way with a rabbit.
Rabbits respond to kindness and will respond positively to your presence if you treat them well.If your rabbit feels loved and comfortable in your presence, you will be most successful in training it.Some rabbits enjoy being stroked so much that it can be an even better incentive than food.If you want your rabbit to feel secure and comfortable in your home, you should spend a lot of time petting it and attend to its basic needs.Don't hold your bunny by the ears.Don't hurt your rabbit.It will respond better to your training if you are kind and gentle.
Step 4: There is plenty of time for training.
It's a good idea to devoting a little time every day to training your rabbit.Two or three short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes at a time will keep your bunny interested in learning.
Step 5: Treat your rabbit with his favorite treats.
You have to find a treat that provides the most positive response since training is based on incentives.If you don't know what your rabbit's favorite treat is, experiment.If you offer a new food in small amounts, you can watch the rabbit respond.If they leave it alone, it won't work as a treat, but if the bunny eats it, you have a winner.If you don't know if a particular food is safe for your rabbit, talk to your vet.Don't feed your bunny anything other than vegetables, greens, and fruit.If your rabbit isn't used to eating a lot of fruit or greens, it's a good idea to go easy on the amounts for a few weeks.Blueberries or carrots are a good treat for your rabbit.
Step 6: Your rabbit needs to be in position for training.
When you want the behavior to occur, stage your training in the area.If you want to teach your rabbit to jump up on your lap, first put it near the couch.If you want to put it in its crate at night, you need to train it around the right time and place.
Step 7: Have a plan for it.
Start easy.Carefully plan what you want your rabbit to do and break it down into small steps.The rabbit will be rewarded after completing each step.Give the command a name when the rabbit is performing the task with regularity.
Step 8: When you want to reward your rabbit, give him a treat immediately.
If the rabbit sits up as you lift your hand above its head, give the treat right away to reinforce the behavior.You are reinforcing the wrong behavior if the rabbit does something else before you give him a treat.If you want to train your rabbit to come when called, you should have it positioned very close to you.Give the reward when it comes to you.Consistency will make your companion know why it's getting treats.Every time, use the exact same commands, such as "Sit, (Your Rabbit's Name)," or "Up", so your rabbit will associate those exact words with getting a treat.Praise the act of giving the treat.For example, Good Sit or Good Up.
Step 9: Provide your rabbit with treats until he responds correctly.
Don't skimp on the rewards when teaching a new skill.You need to make sure your rabbit is well conditioned.If you are training your rabbit to allow a harness to be placed, reward the bunny for going over to the harness on the floor and sniffing or touching it.Put the harness on the bunny's back and reward them for staying still.If you allow the bunny to lift up a front leg, then work up to placing their foot through the appropriate part of the harness, you will be rewarded.Reward as you move.Don't rush the rabbit.Once you have the harness in place, allow the rabbit to wear it for a few minutes at a time and then take it off.Pick up the leash yourself if you have the rabbit drag it around the house.
Step 10: Consider using clicker training
Many people suggest using clickers.The rabbit associates the click with food when you feed it.A click from the device tells the rabbit a treat is on the way.The animal knows what it did to get the reward if you click right.If you click accidentally, give the rabbit a treat or something else they enjoy within a few seconds.The rabbit learns that a click means a treat.
Step 11: Slowly, you'll be able to remove your rabbit from the treats.
The treats should be given less frequently once your rabbit has a skill.Give it a treat only a few times, or don't give it at all the next time.You might not need treats at all.Reward your rabbit with toys and food occasionally to keep the behavior strong.Rabbits like to strokes their heads.Don't stroke the rabbit on its body.If you are patient, you will be able to avoid creating fear in your rabbit.
Step 12: The training should be reinforced as necessary.
Sometimes your rabbit needs to relearn a skill.You might need to bring the incentives back.Don't be afraid to do it.Don't shout or scold the rabbit during training.This will cause your rabbit to be fearful and delay training.
Step 13: Find out where your rabbit is going.
They pick a spot in the cage to eliminate.You can use this to your advantage because they use the same spot a lot.
Step 14: You should put some of the dirty bedding in the litter box that you bought for their cage.
The rabbit will use the litter box.Make sure to clean the rest of the cage after you move the dirty bedding.
Step 15: Place the litter box where the rabbit wants it to be.
If the cage is large enough, you can use a rectangular litter box, which is made to fit in the corners of the cages.If you are correct, the rabbit should use the same spot, only this time it will be in the litter box.Larger litter boxes are possible when the rabbit is outside.
Step 16: Make sure your rabbit knows who is in control.
It is possible that your rabbit will want to rule the house.It is not possible to get the kind of submission you can get from a dog, but you must respect your rabbit in order to train it.The most common way rabbits try to assert their dominance is by biting or nipping you.If this happens, you can either put your rabbit down on the floor or pick it up and move it out of the way.This must be done firmly, but gently.You don't want your rabbit to fear you or hurt you, you just want to assert that you are in charge.Put your rabbit in a crate for a time-out if it continues its behavior.
Step 17: If there is aggression in your rabbit, address it.
If you approach your rabbit calmly, you won't get a fear response.Hang out on the floor with your pet.There are treats on the floor.The rabbit will be rewarded if it comes closer to you.Put your hand down.Try to stroke the rabbit's head for a few seconds if it comes up to you and doesn't seem afraid or try to bite you.If you don't back down and avoid running away if the bunny charges you, the rabbit will learn that this behavior does not intimidate you.Don't hit the rabbit.Like petting on top of the rabbit's head, you and your hands are the sources of food and pleasure.If you need to protect yourself from bites, wear long pants, shoes, gloves and long sleeves.
Step 18: Do you know whether your rabbit's aggression has an underlying cause?
A change in your rabbit's behavior, including aggression, should be investigated to eliminate the chance that there is a medical issue causing the problem.It's a good idea to consult with a vet who knows rabbits to rule out pain as a cause for behavior.Bunny behavior can be influenced by hormones and having your rabbit neutered may help decrease territorial aggression.