Harness training Luna & Theo

[Neurydius]

I got them harnesses a day before I got them but I've never been able to use it because I'm not sure if they'll "comply" so easily considering how they were previously bred and raised in cages so now that they've completely warmed up to me I decided to try harness training them!

First I'm going to introduce it to them as something that's safe and won't bother them. Theo absolutely wants to chew the hecc out of them but so far so good with Luna! I'm teaching them that harness = love and pets & treats so here's a picture of me placing the harness on their backs as they eat their dinner <3

 

[Hermelin]

Harness training takes time and don’t forget leash training will also need to be done slowly in a safe place. But good job with getting the bunnies used to harness. There are other way to let your bunny roam safe outdoors.

My bunny Odin can think the leash is a bit scary sometimes until he get comfortable with it touching him. He’s a bit spoiled and I can let him roam without harness & leash

 

[Neurydius]

Harness training takes time and don’t forget leash training will also need to be done slowly in a safe place. But good job with getting the bunnies used to harness. There are other way to let your bunny roam safe outdoors.

My bunny Odin can think the leash is a bit scary sometimes until he get comfortable with it touching him. He’s a bit spoiled and I can let him roam without harness & leash ☺

View attachment 51582

awww he's a cutie <3
but yeah harness training is going to take some time! I don't have any play pens so I'm not sure about letting them wander without a safety precaution because we have hawks here but once they're used to it, we're definitely going for walks! I may be able to make a large play pen myself with some wires and wood but I'll think about it I'm not a builder type after all!

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I trained Theo with the leash and harness when he was a baby so he would be ok with it when he got older. He chewed the thing like CRAZY so I had to use a spray bottle and spray him with water every time he chewed it. The spray bottle trick worked and now he is fine with the leash and harness. I don't take him outside anymore since he hasn't be vaccinated for RHDV2, but I put the harness on him regularly to keep him used to it.
Keep in mind when taking the rabbit outside on the leash the rabbit is walking you. You only have the leash to keep the rabbit from danger. It will be very hard to walk 2 rabbits at once. You will need to have someone else hold the leash to one of the rabbits. When I used to take Theo out he would drag me underneath bushes and would take off at a full sprit with me being dragged behind him. Also, keep in mind that rabbits can slip out of the harnesses. I had a friend holding Theo's leash and he went under a bush, she pulled the leash and the harness slipped right over Theo's head. I was right there and was able to grab him before he took off running but it could have been dangerous. I highly suggest getting a playpen for your rabbits because it is easier to take them outside if you have a playpen.

I believe your rabbits are only 8 weeks? If so, they should not be getting veggies yet so you should slowly remove them from their diet. Once they turn 3 months you can very slowly introduce veggies to their diet. Start out giving them 1 tbs of one type of veggie per day to prevent them from getting Gi Stasis, you can add to that amount if there is no change in their poops (watery poops/weird-shaped poops would be a sign that you gave them too many veggies). I think that is bok choy on the plate which is ok in small amounts for an adult rabbit but can very likely cause gas which can cause Gi Stasis.

 

[Blue eyes]

Only "H-style" harnesses are safe. Harnessing is generally not recommended unless one is planning to do agility or jumping and has someone experienced to be sure the proper type of harness is used and that it is fitted safely.

Here is a thread on the topic:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/teaching-a-rabbit-to-jump-over-obstacles.99990/#post-1158869
and another with photos of safe harness types:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/rabbit-harness-good-idea-or-not.95782/#post-1121545
Indoor rabbits get the bulk of their exercise indoors where they feel safe and secure. Few rabbits feel safe when brought outside to unfamiliar places. There are also numerous, very real dangers to taking a rabbit outdoors on a leash. Here is a link that explains some of what one should be fully aware of before taking a rabbit outdoors:
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bringing-outside.html

 

[Neurydius]

Only "H-style" harnesses are safe. Harnessing is generally not recommended unless one is planning to do agility or jumping and has someone experienced to be sure the proper type of harness is used and that it is fitted safely.

Here is a thread on the topic:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/teaching-a-rabbit-to-jump-over-obstacles.99990/#post-1158869
and another with photos of safe harness types:
https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/rabbit-harness-good-idea-or-not.95782/#post-1121545
Indoor rabbits get the bulk of their exercise indoors where they feel safe and secure. Few rabbits feel safe when brought outside to unfamiliar places. There are also numerous, very real dangers to taking a rabbit outdoors on a leash. Here is a link that explains some of what one should be fully aware of before taking a rabbit outdoors:
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bringing-outside.html

Thanks for links! I'll use them well

 

[Neurydius]

I trained Theo with the leash and harness when he was a baby so he would be ok with it when he got older. He chewed the thing like CRAZY so I had to use a spray bottle and spray him with water every time he chewed it. The spray bottle trick worked and now he is fine with the leash and harness. I don't take him outside anymore since he hasn't be vaccinated for RHDV2, but I put the harness on him regularly to keep him used to it.
Keep in mind when taking the rabbit outside on the leash the rabbit is walking you. You only have the leash to keep the rabbit from danger. It will be very hard to walk 2 rabbits at once. You will need to have someone else hold the leash to one of the rabbits. When I used to take Theo out he would drag me underneath bushes and would take off at a full sprit with me being dragged behind him. Also, keep in mind that rabbits can slip out of the harnesses. I had a friend holding Theo's leash and he went under a bush, she pulled the leash and the harness slipped right over Theo's head. I was right there and was able to grab him before he took off running but it could have been dangerous. I highly suggest getting a playpen for your rabbits because it is easier to take them outside if you have a playpen.

I believe your rabbits are only 8 weeks? If so, they should not be getting veggies yet so you should slowly remove them from their diet. Once they turn 3 months you can very slowly introduce veggies to their diet. Start out giving them 1 tbs of one type of veggie per day to prevent them from getting Gi Stasis, you can add to that amount if there is no change in their poops (watery poops/weird-shaped poops would be a sign that you gave them too many veggies). I think that is bok choy on the plate which is ok in small amounts for an adult rabbit but can very likely cause gas which can cause Gi Stasis.

ohh I never knew that! I've been giving them veggies in the evening everyday for 3 days now and I've noticed nothing strange with their poop! But I'll read up more on that Gi Stasis thing you linked! Although it looks like a lot, there isn't really much in their veggies, just a little pennywort, some celery leaves and one bok choy each meal but I'll cut it down if its bad! I just find that they both love pennywort so much they finish it up in 2 minutes each meal! Occasionally I add in half a bell pepper because they don't really like those lol they'll leave them for last and gradually finish them within the next few hours

If anything, they've been pooping quiet a lot more nicely shaped poop in their litter box which I don't think is such a bad thing unless it means anything?? Heres a picture of last night to today's litter box in case you might see something !

 

[zuppa]

I wouldn't suggest taking them for walks since they are still very young 8-9 weeks, they don't need harnesses at home so no need for training yet.
Please read some basic information about taking care of home pet rabbits, here's a link but you can find more doing your own research

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/indoor-rabbit-housing/

 

[Mariam+Theo]

ohh I never knew that! I've been giving them veggies in the evening everyday for 3 days now and I've noticed nothing strange with their poop! But I'll read up more on that Gi Stasis thing you linked! Although it looks like a lot, there isn't really much in their veggies, just a little pennywort, some celery leaves and one bok choy each meal but I'll cut it down if its bad! I just find that they both love pennywort so much they finish it up in 2 minutes each meal! Occasionally I add in half a bell pepper because they don't really like those lol they'll leave them for last and gradually finish them within the next few hours

If anything, they've been pooping quiet a lot more nicely shaped poop in their litter box which I don't think is such a bad thing unless it means anything?? Heres a picture of last night to today's litter box in case you might see something !

That is still a ton of veggies for baby rabbits when they shouldn't be getting any veggies. Please read up on Gi stasis because it is not a light thing and can be very dangerous, if not deadly, when it occurs in rabbits. I understand that they have been having normal poops (the picture did no go through), but I still suggest removing the veggies until they are 3 months. Better safe than sorry.

 

[Hermelin]

It also depends on if the bunnies are used with eating veggies from the breeder. Some breeders will give kits veggies and their stomach get used to it