Zero has been learning tricks, today he learned to go up and down my chihuahua's pet stairs, give kisses (we have been working on that) and come on command (this too) but he still hasn't mastered the litter box! Today was the first time I used treats (a few of his pellets) as a reward which greatly increased his intrest! I was letting him take from my fingers then the image of him grabbing onto anything plastic that might smell like a syrenge flashed in my mind. Do rabbits tend to get "mouthy" when they are hand fed treats? Any suggestions on new tricks? What tricks do your bunny's do?
Hand feeding treats
- Thread starter Zeroshero
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missyscove
Christina - Moderator
I hand feed my buns about 1/2 of their pellets everyday. I like to call it "training them to love me."
Have you considered clicker training? I had great luck clicker training Timmy when he was an only bun but haven't tried it with 2 buns at once.
I've gotten them to the point where they'll come if I shake the pellet bowl (working on an actual command with that one) and they'll sit up on their back legs for a treat.
Is he neutered? That might help with the litter box. I've never gotten a bunny to poop only in the box (there's always a few territorial poos her or there) but my two pee no where but their box.
If you feed them their hay at the box that can help as they like to eat and poop simultaneously. I hang my hay racks right over the litter box.
Have you considered clicker training? I had great luck clicker training Timmy when he was an only bun but haven't tried it with 2 buns at once.
I've gotten them to the point where they'll come if I shake the pellet bowl (working on an actual command with that one) and they'll sit up on their back legs for a treat.
Is he neutered? That might help with the litter box. I've never gotten a bunny to poop only in the box (there's always a few territorial poos her or there) but my two pee no where but their box.
If you feed them their hay at the box that can help as they like to eat and poop simultaneously. I hang my hay racks right over the litter box.
Missy, Zero is only six weeks old and if he lives that long he will be neutered. He finally picked an area in his cage where he has consistently started urinating so I moved his litter box. Hopefully that works. I am primarily concerned with his urinating outside of the box, he is not a free range bunny so the poop pellets are no big deal they are easily cleaned up after his play time. I want him to play on the carpet more without risking him damaging it he gets running so fast he slips and falls on the tile.
I do have a clicker and thought about using it, last night we were playing with his ball and are beginning to shape "pick up". Bunny's are so fun! He's my first I have had as an adult.
I do have a clicker and thought about using it, last night we were playing with his ball and are beginning to shape "pick up". Bunny's are so fun! He's my first I have had as an adult.
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He'll probably get better with the litter box as he gets older. He's still just a baby. You could lay a tarp down over your carpet. That's what I did for my babies. They still get enough traction on it, and it protects the carpet from accidents. I would also sometimes lay a beach towel down on the tarp. Easier to wash pee accidents out of than carpet.
You could also try teaching him the trick of doing a circle or spin. It seems like a pretty simple trick to teach. Some people teach their rabbits to do agility courses by using treats to teach them to go over jumps, through tunnels, etc.
You could also try teaching him the trick of doing a circle or spin. It seems like a pretty simple trick to teach. Some people teach their rabbits to do agility courses by using treats to teach them to go over jumps, through tunnels, etc.
minmelethuireb
Well-Known Member
My rabbits get super excited when I open the bag of Oxbow veggie treats. They run over and stand up against the side of their pen (or against my leg if they're out) and grab the biscuit from my hand. I've never got bit or anything, but they do get excited so it could probably happen accidentally.
But yeah, I don't think there's anything wrong with hand-feeding treats. As for using the litter box consistently, that should get better when he gets older you get him neutered. Young rabbits tend to go everywhere. Giving him treats while he's sitting in the litter box might be helpful though. It's worth a try anyway.
But yeah, I don't think there's anything wrong with hand-feeding treats. As for using the litter box consistently, that should get better when he gets older you get him neutered. Young rabbits tend to go everywhere. Giving him treats while he's sitting in the litter box might be helpful though. It's worth a try anyway.
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I found some little blocks for toys, he has a wooden cube he started rolling last night. Also giant to find some cones to teach him to weave, I found some rabbit training videos on YouTube now I am feeling inspired.
I decided to use some solo cups for weave cones which worked perfectly for now. I put them on the ground and Zero went crazy! He LOVES plastic, I didn't have my phone ready to video but I did get some footage of him digging in the cup and trying to climb in there. He did weave the cones but that is a work in progress. Any idea where I can get a wand to do target training?
I don't think I have ever seen him so excited.
I don't think I have ever seen him so excited.
Awww, he's such a cute little guy 
And he does look pretty interested in the cups. So is that pic of him with his new slimmer belly?
I think you could just use a wooden dowel for a training or target stick. Craft stores or home improvement stores would have them.
And he does look pretty interested in the cups. So is that pic of him with his new slimmer belly? I think you could just use a wooden dowel for a training or target stick. Craft stores or home improvement stores would have them.
Yes Jbun it is his summer look. He is a very hairy guy his long hair makes his tummy still look distended. I am assuming that the lack of fat in his diet and his GI struggles contribute to his hair coat. Thank you for the suggestion on the training tool.
Major, my sister keeps saying the same thing he is so outgoing and friendly with everyone she always comments that he is dog-like. In addition to playing with agility I was thinking about doing therapy work with him. If he is being pet he will sit on your lap for hours, I usually give up before he does, he is super polite too no nibbles, and people aren't potties!
Last night after we were playing with toys I was laying on the floor he kept mauling me, (in a nice way) he wouldn't run and play because he was climbing all over me. It was awesome bonding time with him I sure hope his desire to be with me never changes.
Major, my sister keeps saying the same thing he is so outgoing and friendly with everyone she always comments that he is dog-like. In addition to playing with agility I was thinking about doing therapy work with him. If he is being pet he will sit on your lap for hours, I usually give up before he does, he is super polite too no nibbles, and people aren't potties!
Last night after we were playing with toys I was laying on the floor he kept mauling me, (in a nice way) he wouldn't run and play because he was climbing all over me. It was awesome bonding time with him I sure hope his desire to be with me never changes.
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