How to teach your rabbit to follow a target

Rabbits are naturally curious creatures, so getting one to follow a target is very easy. As usual, the key is persistence and positive reinforcement. Gradually you will be able to get the bunny to spin in a circle, follow you into another room and even go back into his hutch by using the target.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Sit near the rabbit.

2. Hold a target in front of the bunny. A short dowel with a small rubber bouncy ball (the kind you can get out of quarter machines) glued to the end of it works well.

3. If the rabbit looks at the target, give him a treat and some praise.

4. If he doesn't look at the target, shake it around a bit until he notices it. Then give him a treat and some praise.

5. Repeat this several times, teaching him to associate paying attention to the target with receiving a treat.

6. As you proceed, begin to withhold the treat until the rabbit approaches or touches the object.

7. Try moving further away, while moving the target around.

8. Once you train the rabbit, you do not need to give him a treat every time. Remember to reward him sometimes, however, or else the rabbit may stop following the target.

Tips & Warnings

• Some rabbits take a lot of repetition to learn a trick. Do this one at least several times a day until yours learns it.