Are you having trouble getting your rabbit to return to his home?Your rabbit should be in a place of safety and security.It may take some calm and gentle persuasion to convince your rabbit to go back into the hutch if it doesn't feel safe.If it takes a lot of time and patience, don't be upset.To show your rabbit how to get back into his house.Your rabbit is very smart and will eventually understand what you want him to do.
Step 1: You can choose a verbal command.
With or without a clicker, you can teach your rabbit to go back into his enclosure.A verbal cue is helpful with either method.If you want your rabbit to go back into his hutch, you need to say this cue.Say the cue in a clear and confident voice.Say the cue with no emotion.If you are frustrated with your rabbit, you should not say the cue.
Step 2: Take your rabbit back to his house with treats.
Fresh apples, carrots, and melons are great treats for rabbits.Make sure your rabbit can see you do it by placing a few treats in his cage.The treats are an incentive for your rabbit to return.If your rabbit doesn't want to walk all the way to the hutch to get the treats, make a trail of treats.He can eat when he walks toward and into the hutch.Say your verbal cue as your rabbit walks towards you.This will let him know that the cue is followed by a treat when he returns to the hutch.
Step 3: A chute is needed to get to your rabbit's hutch.
The only way to get your rabbit back to his home is with a chute.You don't have to spend a lot of money to make a chute.To create an enclosed pathway for your rabbit, place a series of cardboard boxes on two sides.Your rabbit will be rewarded when he goes inside of the hutch if you place some tasty treats in it.There is a pathway that leads to the chute.Block the entryway when your rabbit is in the chute.When your rabbit walks through the chute, keep a few feet behind him and repeat your verbal cue until he reaches his house.The rabbit may not want to go in the chute.If your rabbit is showing signs of distress or fear, break down the chute and try again.
Step 4: Do not chase your rabbit.
Trying to get your rabbit to go back into his house quickly will not work if he is already reluctant to do so.Both of those activities may frighten your rabbit and make it harder for him to do what you want.If your rabbit is trying to test your patience, do your best to move slowly and calmly, and keep a small distance away.
Step 5: Introduce your rabbit to the sound of the clicker.
Clicker training is an effective way to teach your rabbit to return to his home.Your rabbit needs to get used to the clicker sound and learn what it means.Press down on the clicker in a quiet, distraction-free area of your home.Give your rabbit a treat if you wait for a second or two.Clickers can be found at your local pet store.A writing pen or mechanical pencil can be used as a clicker.The time between using the clicker and giving your rabbit a treat allows him to pay attention to it.Continue using the clicker until your rabbit looks to you and asks for a treat.It may take a lot of repetition for your rabbit to associate a treat with a click.When your rabbit is playing with a toy, you can use the clicker to challenge him.When he hears the click, you will know that he understands what it means.Give him a treat.A timid rabbit might be frightened by the sound of a click.If you want to avoid frightening your rabbit, place your clicker in a pocket or glove.
Step 6: There is a bowl of treats in the exercise area.
The clicker can be used to teach your rabbit to go back into his house.The bowl where he exercises and plays should be placed in a small bowl with some tasty treats.If he looks at the bowl, click and give him a treat.Just before he reaches the bowl, click and give him a treat.Slowly place your rabbit further away from the bowl.The goal is to teach him to move towards the bowl from any direction in his exercise area.Continue to use the clicker and give him something to eat.
Step 7: Put the bowl of treats in the rabbit's house.
If your rabbit is comfortable moving towards the bowl, place it inside of his hutch near its entrance.Slowly increase the distance between your rabbit and the bowl, as you did before.Click and give your rabbit a treat.The goal for this step is to get your rabbit to go into his exercise area from any direction and distance.
Step 8: The verbal cue can be added.
During clicker training, verbal cues are important.If you are watching your rabbit closely, say the verbal cue before he walks toward the bowl.The cue before your rabbit moves helps him understand why you are saying it.You may have to repeat the cue many times before he understands.
Step 9: Do you know how to challenge your rabbit?
Remove the food bowl from the rabbit's enclosure now that you've added in the verbal cue.He will have to go back into his house even if there is no treat waiting for him.After you give your verbal cue, click and give him a treat.
Step 10: Don't use the clicker.
You should also stop using the clicker if you want to remove the food bowl.By the end of your training, you should be able to tell your rabbit to come back to his house.
Step 11: Let your rabbit think that it was his idea to go.
It's possible to force your rabbit to go back into his enclosure.The use of force indicates that going back into the house is your idea.If you let him think it was his idea to return, he will be more likely to do so.If you leave a bowl of treats in the hutch, your rabbit will think that it is his idea to come back.
Step 12: There is a difference between training a rabbit and a dog.
rabbits enjoy receiving rewards like dogsrabbits don't aim to please as dogs do.rabbits do not evolve to be very cooperative with each other unless there is an outside threatIt's not surprising that your own rabbit doesn't have a lot of incentive to look up to you and please you.If you want to train your rabbit, keep in mind that he is not trying to please you.He is looking for his reward.
Step 13: Don't punish your rabbit.
Punishment is not effective with rabbits.Abuse will cause your rabbit to see you as the bad guy.Negative behavioral changes in your rabbit can be caused by punishment.It is possible to end your training session and try again later if you sense that you are becoming frustrated with your rabbit.