Clicker Training for a Rabbit
Clicker training a rabbit is all about positive reinforcement. Bunnies have a natural inclination to keep doing things when they are rewarded. A device known as a clicker can be as effective as feeding a treat to a rabbit or hearing the words, "Good girl." These clickers--small plastic boxes that make a clicking sound when pressed--are easy to find in any pet store.
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Getting Started
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A rabbit owner clicks the device every time a rabbit obeys a command. He clicks exactly as the bunny complies with an order, such as coming when called or sitting still during a nail trim. The owner initially clicks the noisemaker, gives her rabbit a treat and a verbal command so that the little animal associates the clicking sound with a positive consequence. Over time, the owner stops using the clicker and treats, relying instead on verbal directions.
Jumping
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The owner encourages his bunny to jump over a stick while saying "jump," clicking and offering a small bit of food. Timing is critical, and the master has to click and furnish the treat exactly as the rabbit leaps. The owner continues to raise the stick and work with her pet to hop even higher. Gradually, the bunny will jump when told and without the clicker or a snack. This same process is used to train the rabbit to follow other commands, such as sitting or coming.
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Patience
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Training rabbits takes time and lots of patience. Some bunnies catch on quickly, while other pets require weeks to get the hang of reacting to a clicker. Rabbits can become bored but snacks usually grab their attention. "We have yet to encounter a pet that cannot be clicker trained. Even fish can be clicker trained," trainer Joan Orr says in "What? Train a Rabbit?"
Outcomes
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Clicker-trained rabbits spend more time outside their cages because their owners trust them. Stress levels are reduced through clicker training, especially when a bunny is taken to a veterinarian or fairground. An owner also can use a clicker to make his bunny perform tricks, such as standing up on his legs or hopping into a person's lap. Rabbits can be broken of bad habits such as chewing or biting.
Shelter Experience
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Bunnies Urgently Needing Shelter (BUNS) in California routinely clicker-trains rabbits to increase the animals' chances of being adopted. The bunnies often are frightened when they arrive at the shelter, but the staff trains them to stand at the fronts of their cages and be friendly when prospective rabbit owners arrive. "Clicking with small pets brightens their lives, exercises their surprisingly lively minds and brings out their endearing personalities," trainer Karen Pryor says in "What? Train a Rabbit?"
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References
- Photo Credit Rabbit image by veseliysyslik from Fotolia.com
