Rabbits are highly intelligent and sociable animals that can be trained easily. Unfortunately, many owners fail to do this properly, sometimes because they use the wrong approach or because they don't spend enough time on it. If you want to build a better relationship with your rabbit and train him properly, just start off on the right foot and get started!
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Understanding Rabbit Behavior
Step 1. Understand what motivates your rabbit
Rabbits are highly intelligent and respond enthusiastically to incentives. This means that strong punishment, such as a spanking or screaming reaction, will not make him more cooperative. However, if you apply the incentives correctly, most rabbits will respond accordingly.
- Food is usually used as the main motivator, but toys can also be a great reward.
- Rabbits are preyed upon animals, so if they feel scared, they tend to run away and look for a place to hide. If they exhibit this behavior, it means you need to find a way to make them feel more comfortable and safe before training them.
Step 2. Know how they use their sight and smell
Keep in mind that they don't see well directly in front of them; the eyes are far apart on the head, therefore they see more easily to the sides and better distant objects than close ones.
- The rabbit uses the sense of smell and whiskers, rather than sight, to detect anything in the immediate vicinity, so you have to put the sweets under his nose and mouth to make him notice them.
- Pay attention to the fact that they change the position of the head as you approach. This way they strive to see better, like people with bifocals trying to align their eyes through the right lenses to see at various distances.
- Because they are prey animals, rabbits need to see their predators from afar so they can run and hide in time to save themselves. For this reason, before touching it, you must give your rodent friend time to see you and smell you; this way you will be able to manage and treat it more easily. If you allow him to look at you and smell you, he can understand that you are not a predator and therefore that you are not dangerous to him.
Step 3. Remember that kindness is the best way to train a rabbit
This animal responds positively to gentle behavior and will make a great playmate who will respond positively to your voice and presence if you treat it well. Although it is always important to respect the animal in order to train it, you will still achieve more success if it also feels loved and comfortable when it is with you.
- Not all rabbits enjoy being petted, but some enjoy it so much that sometimes even this simple gesture can be an even better incentive than food. Spend a lot of pleasant time petting your rodent friend and indulging him in all his basic needs, so that he feels safe and comfortable in your home.
- Never take it by your ears! You don't have to hurt him. Be kind to your fluffy friend and you will see that he will respond positively to your training.
Method 2 of 4: Train the Rabbit to Follow Commands
Step 1. Spend a lot of time on training
To get good results, you need to dedicate some time to training every day. Two or three short sessions of 5-10 minutes at a time will keep the rabbit's attention alive, so that it can continue learning.
Step 2. Use your pet's favorite treat
Since the training is based on incentives, you have to find an attractive reward that triggers a positive response in the animal. If you don't know the preferences of your fluff, then you will have to proceed by trial and error. You can offer him new food (in small quantities to avoid digestive problems) once a day and observe his reaction. If he ignores it, then it is not the right sweet and you will have to try something else. If, on the other hand, you notice that it devours it in a heartbeat, then you have found a good reward.
- When you're not sure if a certain food is safe for your rabbit, ask your vet for confirmation (find one that knows these rodents). Make sure you feed your long-eared friend only greens, vegetables, or fruit.
- If he is not used to eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, give them sparingly for a few weeks to avoid diarrhea or digestive problems.
- The rabbit likes blueberries, cabbage and carrots (try giving him some carrot bits), which are real delights to him.
Step 3. Put the animal in the right position for training
Make sure you educate him about the place, time, situation, and environment in which you want a certain behavior to occur (the one you are trying to teach him). For example, if you want him to learn how to jump on your lap when you call him, put him by the sofa first. If you want to train him to go to his bed for the night, get nearby at the appropriate time and make sure his cage is positioned where it normally is.
Step 4. Make a plan
Start simple. Carefully plan the things you want him to do and break those tasks down into smaller stages. Once you have completed each step, you must reward the rabbit, and when he begins to perform the tasks regularly and confidently give the command a name.
Step 5. Give him a reward immediately when he performs some action that you want to reward
If he stands up on his hind legs like he's begging you when you raise your hand above his head, promptly give him a treat to reinforce the "Up" command. You must give him the reward within 2-3 seconds of performing the behavior you want to teach him.
- If the rabbit starts doing something else before you reward him, you are reinforcing the wrong behavior.
- If you want to teach him to come to you when you call him, start training him by keeping him very close to you, early on. When he approaches, give him the reward. Always be consistent in your training, so that your fluffy companion knows why you are giving him sweets.
- Use the same precise commands each time, such as "Down (say the rabbit's name)" or "Up (calling him)", so that he learns to recognize your requests and to associate these exact words with the reward he receives.
- When you give him the treat, be sure to also praise him, for example by saying "Bravo".
Step 6. Keep giving him the rewards until he learns to answer correctly almost every time
When you're trying to teach him a new task, don't skimp on the rewards. You need to be sure that you are fully conditioning your rodent friend.
If you want to train him to get used to wearing a harness, start by rewarding him when he approaches the accessory on the floor and sniffs or touches it. Then try putting it on his back giving him some more treats to keep him for a while. Reward him again when he allows you to safely lift one of his forelegs and put the appropriate part of the harness on him. Finally, reward him one last time when he begins to walk and move slowly. Make sure you don't scare him and don't be abrupt. Once the harness is put on, leave it for only a few minutes at a time and then take it off. Keep training him until the rabbit is walking around the house dragging the leash before you begin to lead him yourself
Step 7. Consider using the clicker to train him
Many people recommend using this tool to strengthen the association of behavior with command. Each time you feed him, click on the device, so that the rabbit associates sound with food. Then, during training, the sound of the clicker makes the rabbit understand that he is about to receive a reward.
You should press the device just when the rabbit performs the action you want, so that the animal understands the reason for its reward. Give him a treat or whatever he likes within seconds of using the clicker and be sure to reward him every time you play the device, even if you accidentally press it. The rabbit will learn that a click means a reward and will try to earn more
Step 8. Get the pet used to gradually reducing the rewards
As he begins to learn the various commands, he begins to reward him less frequently. Give him his reward once and then don't give him the next, or give him a treat only in alternating sessions. In the end it will no longer be necessary to reward him.
- Over time, you can limit yourself to rewarding him with caresses and games and giving him treats only occasionally to keep the behavior strengthened.
- Rabbits like to be gently patted on the head. Do not hit him on the body, as you may alarm him. Be patient and deal with things calmly to avoid frightening him.
Step 9. Reinforce training, if applicable
From time to time it may be necessary to remind the rabbit again some commands; this means you have to give them back some incentives. Don't be afraid to do this.
Do not scold and never punish him, do not shout and say "No" during training, as these would all be counterproductive behaviors: you would make the rabbit more fearful and slow down his learning time
Method 3 of 4: Train the Rabbit to Use a Litter Box
Step 1. Learn where the rabbit naturally tends to defecate
Each animal spontaneously chooses a particular place in the cage where they can do their business. Since he uses the same seat multiple times, you can use this feature to your advantage.
Step 2. Put some dirty substrate of the cage and some excrement in the litter to encourage the animal to use it
Make sure you clean the rest of the cage after this operation, so that the animal is not tempted to defecate again in the cage.
Step 3. Place the litter box in the place the rabbit has chosen as a personal “toilet”
You can find custom-made rabbit litter on the market to place in the corners of the cages, or you can use a rectangular model if the cage is large enough. If the position in which you put it is right, the animal will naturally continue to go to the same place, only this time it will be in the litter box.
Of course, you can put a larger litter box if your rodent friend has a chance to have fun and hopping while spending time outside the cage
Method 4 of 4: Dealing with an Aggressive Rabbit
Step 1. Make sure your rodent friend knows who's in charge
It will probably be he who wants to impose himself in the house. While you can't expect to get the same submissive and submissive behavior as that of a dog, you need to make sure that you show respect when it comes to training.
The most common way rabbits use to try to assert their dominance is to nibble or bite you inappropriately to try to get away or get you out of where they want to sit. If this occurs, you need to make a short, loud, high-pitched squeal and place your pet on the floor (if it jumped where you were sitting) or pick it up and move it away from you (if it is already on the floor). Act firmly, but gently. You don't have to hurt him or even scare him, you just have to state that you are the "pack leader". If the rabbit continues with this behavior, place it in its cage so that it "calms down"
Step 2. Deal with any aggressive behavior from your long-eared friend
First, approach him calmly, so as not to provoke a fear reaction. Lean down on the floor to get level with it and make sure there are some treats. Reward him for bringing him closer to you and lower his hand. If you see him approaching, showing no fear and doesn't want to bite you, try gently stroking his head for a few seconds.
- If you manage not to retreat and avoid the "escape" reflex when the rabbit tends to attack you, the animal understands that this behavior does not work to intimidate you.
- Never hit him. You and your hands must be only a source of food and pleasure, like stroking it on the top of the head.
- If you are concerned that it may hurt you, wear long pants, shoes, long-sleeved clothing, and gloves if necessary to protect yourself from its bites.
Step 3. See if the rabbit's aggressive behavior may stem from an underlying problem
Changes in his behavior, including aggression, should be investigated to rule out the possibility that there is a medical condition underlying this attitude. Consult a veterinarian experienced in treating rabbits to rule out that pain, for example, may be the cause of their incorrect behavior.
Know that hormones can also affect his behavior, and if you have him spayed or neutered, you can help reduce territorial aggression, for example
Advice
- If the rabbit screams or squirms when you hold it, carefully put it back on the ground to avoid the risk of it hurting you. Get him back to the floor safely so you don't give him an excuse to fear for his safety.
- Go to the bookstore or library to find books that deal with rabbit training. Eventually you can also do an online search.
Warnings
- Don't overdo the treats during training sessions and avoid giving him unhealthy treats. Above all, beware of industrially processed products that you find on the market: many of these are unhealthy, especially if eaten in large quantities.
- Never hit the rabbit for any reason, as you could seriously injure both you and your little friend.
- Make sure you never deprive him of food to make him hungry for training. Always have fresh hay or grass and clean water available. The last thing you need to do is hurt him.
- Don't expect the rabbit to always do what you want. Even if he is perfectly trained, he may not always be willing to accommodate your requests. In this case, do not get angry and do not fear that the training was not effective. As long as he responds as often as you wish, don't go too hard on those occasions when he doesn't cooperate - he's an animal after all.
