It's more than being pulled out of a hat Although rabbits aren't natural show-offs, you can shape their behavior by earning their trust and respect, and then providing the right environment and motivation to learn. From basic manners to jumping through hoops, here are some rabbit training tricks. Litter box training Teaching Bugs to use the litter box in his rabbit cage is a snap, because rabbits are naturally clean and routine. All you need to do is keep the litter box fresh, and make sure it's in the same place every day. Line it with newspaper and add a little litter and hay, and your rabbit will do the rest. Handle with care Ultimately, rabbits are social, playful, and love to be touched. But they know instinctively that most animals are out to eat them, so they're naturally skittish. Reach for them slowly, gently, and quietly. Most of all, have patience. Once a rabbit gets used to you and learns you can be trusted, he'll come running at the sight of you. |  |
Learn your rabbit's language, both physical and verbal, so you know if you are trying too much too soon. Grunting and thumping usually mean "Ease up." Rabbits "purr" by gently rubbing their teeth together, and they bow down low if they want to be petted. A rabbit that feels loved and relaxed is much easier to train.
Getting tricky
Rabbits can learn more tricks than just being pulled from a hat. Coming when called, sitting up, and jumping are easy tricks because rabbits help by doing them anyway. Just reward it when it happens.
Many owners successfully teach rabbits to return to their hutches after play time. "Kennel up!" You can reinforce cute behaviors and instill some of your own with the right motivation and lots of patience.
Rabbits aren't motivated to please like dogs are, but they love treats. After your rabbit learns to learn, you can space the treats out, or even replace treats with a clicker for a reward. Not every rabbit likes to be petted, but for some it is a better reward than food. Keep commands simple and consistent. Remember, you're learning your rabbit's language, not the other way around.
