How to Train Your Rabbit

Rabbits are incredibly intelligent creatures. Many teach themselves to use a litter box; others need a bit of guidance. Most rabbits learn after just a short period of repetition to understand certain words, phrases, or commands. Don't expect them to obey you every time, however, because their intelligence also propels them to make their own decisions. Many's the time I've felt I could see them considering a decision only to reject it. Rabbits are fiercely independent creatures.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Always use positive feedback; praise your rabbit. Do not criticize, scold, or hit; this will only serve to alienate your rabbit.

2. Speak softly and gently to your rabbit to induce him to listen to you.

3. Use repetition. For example, when you want to litter box train your rabbit, you might say the following while letting the rabbit smell the contents of the litter box: 'Do pebbles, Smokey. Do pebbles.' Or 'Do puddle, Smokey. Do puddle.'

4. Don't force your rabbit to do something. Just guide him and let him go, if he resists or tries to hop away.

5. Spend at least an hour or two each day for one or two weeks working on the new behavior with your rabbit.

6. Remember that rabbits are rabbits. They are not cats or dogs or any other animal, so they will not act like any other animal. They will only manifest rabbit behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Sit on the floor with your rabbit for one to two hours everyday for one or two weeks and gently remind your rabbit of the behavior you want him to learn.
• Sometimes rabbits unlearn a habit and you may have to retrain them.
• Praise your rabbit lavishly, and avoid scolding, so you don't alienate your rabbit.

[bunnyfanatic88]

on 10/9/2009 i have a rabbit but i need to teach him how to sit

[slobonmynob]

on 7/29/2009 how to i teach my bunny to close her eyes while me and my boyfriend are fuckin like bunnies

[sammie1117]

on 1/14/2009 Hi there all i've had our rabbit for a week now and have managed to litter train him which is fantastic. He's 20 weeks old so was big when we got him but it's proved to be a good move as he loves attention... the other night i was sat next to his cage with my hand in as he was eating his veggies... when he had finished with the bowl he carried it in his mouth and placed it on my hand.... how fantastic.... :)

Problem: Any help with how i cut his nails would be great...

Thanks

[beckyboo21]

on 1/11/2009 my rabbit has learnt a few new tricks! she is now in the house as the weather is remarkably cold, i have been trying to train her for about 1 month as she is still young and handeled every day so she comes out of her cage has a wee in her litter tray takes her treat and go's back to bed then comes back out to look for more, as she understood my command the first time she assumes its ok to come back for more, they are very intelliagant creatures when you have the time and patience to do this!

[tatianack747]

on 10/19/2008 I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE 'USING THE LITTER BOX ' LEARNED BEHAVIOUR.THANKS