This video is in response to a request for guidance as to the first steps of training your rabbit. The PDSA and RSPCA guidelines for rabbit feeding are to us…
This is great! I never new you could use a clicker to train bunnies. We
have two of our own which we dressed up for a photo/video shoot for dress
up your pet day, linked below. Ours both know their name and commands for
treat and up, but I would like to get them to give paw and such. Thanks
for the helpful video.
Fantastic!! Good work! Poor little rabbit – I’m so glad he’s got a good
home! A lot of people don’t even realise that you can rescue rabbits – it’s
such a lovely thing to do. Good luck with him.
If you can teach her that if she comes to you when you whistle, she’ll get
food, then you can play hide-and-seek (you hide and whistle, she comes to
find you for food). That’s great for encouraging her to come forward. π
Hi there, this was really informative, thanks for posting. I have a bonded
pair (plus a cat) and live in a studio apartment. Is it necessary to
isolate the buns to start working with them? Or could I maybe use a
different sound with each pet? At the moment they are both trained to eat
out of my hand, so they both come running when they hear the bag of food
rustling! It’s bunny mahem!
Thank you so much, that is lovely to hear! π With the go to command, I
started with hand signals, getting him to go on to the mat when I pointed
(initially he was standing next to it). When he was reliably doing that, I
then started using the word ‘Mat’ as it was a very definite sound. I would
say ‘Mat’ just before I pointed, and then gradually he could predict that
‘mat’ meant he should get on the mat! Hope that helps! π I still haven’t
got Pewter to fetch…
I have a somewhat complicated question about clicker training two rabbits
at the same time! I have adopted a bonded pair, neither of which knows
clicker training. The more skittish of the two cannot be separated from her
sister without causing extreme alarm, but I am concerned about reinforcing
incorrect behavior if I using the C/T and rewarding one bunny for behavior
that the other is not performing. Short of separating them, is there
anything I can do differently?
Hi Dana! Good question. It is more tricky to work with two buns – you might
find it easier at first to isolate them (probably not completely, keep them
within eyeshot) and then start working with them. Once they both have the
idea, then work with them together – you have to be very quick at rewarding
and try to use eye contact and body position to indicate which rabbit
you’re working with. Sometimes the competition helps speed up learning
(look at the nail filing video!) π
I am going to clicker train my rabbit Freddie, he only has 3 legs due to
the face that he is a rescue rabbit so I won’t be able to get him to stand
lol, but I can get him to give me his paw and many others, great video!
Bodie can definitely be trained – start by teaching her to take food from
your hands. Once she will do that, you can then ask her to do different
things to earn a click and a reward. Pewter was 3 years old when I started
working with him. π
I use the Burgess Suparabbit excel pellets – the actual rabbit food. My
rabbits love it! Sometimes I vary it with tiny pieces of carrot, broccoli,
apple etc (the size of my little fingernail). The perception of reward is
increased if the animal never knows what it’s getting…
Good question! I’d suggest using two different ‘clicker’ reward sounds-
perhaps a click for one and a bell or electronic beep for the other. It
will be a little more confusing, but if you can spend a week consistently
rewarding one rabbit when you click and the other when you make a beeping
noise, then you should have rabbits that speak two different languages! I
work with mine together and both use a click, but Pewt is a lot quicker
than Babbitt and she sometimes gets frustrated…
Yeah, very similar. You just have to take things slightly slower and
remember that a rabbit (unlike a dog) has no instinctive desire to please.
You have to be very interesting and very rewarding for the rabbit. If
you’ve clicker trained a dog, try clicker training another species as you
can apply exactly the same techniques but learn a bit about the other
species’ temperament as well! π
Hi, very helpful video! I just got a mini/standar Rex and she’s 9 wks.
She’s already litter trained and doing great in her cage. I’ve taken her
out couple times to get acquainted with her new home, very curious and
already explored the whole living room. I would like her to stay on my area
rug (throughout is hardwood floor) and roam around as she wishes. How do I
train her for that? I want to learn how to get her attention and start
clicker training.
He was three when I made this video. He’s a Polish rabbit – they’re known
for being very handsome but also quite timid. π Chinchillas are great fun
– have you tried training yours? I’ve never trained one but I understand
they are intelligent little creatures!
Hello there,i’m jsut about to get another young rabbit 9 weeks he will be,i
have had rabbits for many years but want to clicker train this one,is there
an age i should start this at ?
He’s a chinchilla rabbit, a breed of rabbit that has agouti fur similar to
a chinchilla, but a rabbit in every sense. He’s pretty smart as well and i
taught him a trick every couple days, only taking the day for him to
understand and a couple days to reinforce before school. No time for
teaching new tricks now that school is back in π He’s already learned how
to spin, stand, come, go to a desired point and lastly we were trying to
get him to get acclimated with a harness.
She’ll probably quickly learn to walk on the hardwood floor – it’s quite
hard to restrict her through training as the urge to explore is probably
stronger than the food motivation. It’s probably better to either use a
large run or rabbit proof the room… Once she’s reliably taking food from
your hand, then start whistling before you offer the food. You can also
start loading the clicker and then you’re away! π let me know if I can
help more! π
Yes if Thumper REALLY likes carrots! Try to use tiny pieces – about the
size of your little fingernail – that way you can do quite a lot of
training without making Thumper full! π Good luck – I hope to see your
progress on a video! π
It’s called “Burgess Super Rabbit Excel” (search for burgesspetcare on
google). I like it because “Grass” is the main ingredient, not lucerne or
alfalfa that is often used. π
How exciting! Do you have another rabbit that you’ll keep him with? If not
– why not get two rabbits – they are much happier in pairs! π I’d start as
soon as the baby has settled in – just get him used to taking treats from
the hand and then start to “load” the clicker. Clicker training works at
any age! Good luck – let me know if I can help at all! π
Thanks for all the videos wouldnt have been able to without you! just
wanted to voice my appreciation and also comment on how adorable Pewter is
I watch his videos when i’m missing my rabbit haha. I really have trouble
with the go to X command though :/
He’s actually a Polish rabbit, but I wouldn’t recommend getting one. The
English Polish rabbits (as compared to the American ones) have a reputation
for being incredibly flighty. The only way we’ve managed to forge a
relationship with him is through clicker training – he is naturally really
fearful. They’re not really selectively bred to make good pets, they’re
just bred for the coat.
Year of Cheer
This is great! I never new you could use a clicker to train bunnies. We
have two of our own which we dressed up for a photo/video shoot for dress
up your pet day, linked below. Ours both know their name and commands for
treat and up, but I would like to get them to give paw and such. Thanks
for the helpful video.
January 14 – Dress Up Your Pet Dayο»Ώ
pepper0rabbit
he is not ill but his nails are long, when he scratches me i bleed now.ο»Ώ
pepper0rabbit
Only if the snow is melted
ο»Ώ
pepper0rabbit
Now pepper has to go to the vet and he’ll be very mad with me
ο»Ώ
Kashif Kadri
Woww!! Very nice your rabbit is too cute! I have too, I have white 1!ο»Ώ
pepper0rabbit
this video is very useful for me thanks!ο»Ώ
Pewterrabbit1
Fantastic!! Good work! Poor little rabbit – I’m so glad he’s got a good
home! A lot of people don’t even realise that you can rescue rabbits – it’s
such a lovely thing to do. Good luck with him.
failer leader
I have same kind his name Mitch :3
Pewterrabbit1
If you can teach her that if she comes to you when you whistle, she’ll get
food, then you can play hide-and-seek (you hide and whistle, she comes to
find you for food). That’s great for encouraging her to come forward. π
Marjolein Gijs
Where can you buy?
Lisa Grainger
Will do! π do you know of any games I could play with my rabbit to boost
her confidence ? π thanks x
thumpersinclair
Very informative I have a mini lop called thumper I am trying to train her
just now does it work with carrots
Dana Morton
Hi there, this was really informative, thanks for posting. I have a bonded
pair (plus a cat) and live in a studio apartment. Is it necessary to
isolate the buns to start working with them? Or could I maybe use a
different sound with each pet? At the moment they are both trained to eat
out of my hand, so they both come running when they hear the bag of food
rustling! It’s bunny mahem!
Pewterrabbit1
Thank you so much, that is lovely to hear! π With the go to command, I
started with hand signals, getting him to go on to the mat when I pointed
(initially he was standing next to it). When he was reliably doing that, I
then started using the word ‘Mat’ as it was a very definite sound. I would
say ‘Mat’ just before I pointed, and then gradually he could predict that
‘mat’ meant he should get on the mat! Hope that helps! π I still haven’t
got Pewter to fetch…
bluetomato1
I have a somewhat complicated question about clicker training two rabbits
at the same time! I have adopted a bonded pair, neither of which knows
clicker training. The more skittish of the two cannot be separated from her
sister without causing extreme alarm, but I am concerned about reinforcing
incorrect behavior if I using the C/T and rewarding one bunny for behavior
that the other is not performing. Short of separating them, is there
anything I can do differently?
Lisa Grainger
Thanks so much I really enjoyed this and will definitely try it out π
Pewterrabbit1
Hi Dana! Good question. It is more tricky to work with two buns – you might
find it easier at first to isolate them (probably not completely, keep them
within eyeshot) and then start working with them. Once they both have the
idea, then work with them together – you have to be very quick at rewarding
and try to use eye contact and body position to indicate which rabbit
you’re working with. Sometimes the competition helps speed up learning
(look at the nail filing video!) π
CL Harley
I am going to clicker train my rabbit Freddie, he only has 3 legs due to
the face that he is a rescue rabbit so I won’t be able to get him to stand
lol, but I can get him to give me his paw and many others, great video!
Pewterrabbit1
Bodie can definitely be trained – start by teaching her to take food from
your hands. Once she will do that, you can then ask her to do different
things to earn a click and a reward. Pewter was 3 years old when I started
working with him. π
MixMasterLuffy
So is it a lot like clicker training a dog? I have experience with that but
I’ve never had a bun.
Caroline Rohrer
My lop ear rabbit is 2 years old and scared of everything. Can she be
clicker trainer or is she too old. Her name is Bodie.
Pewterrabbit1
I use the Burgess Suparabbit excel pellets – the actual rabbit food. My
rabbits love it! Sometimes I vary it with tiny pieces of carrot, broccoli,
apple etc (the size of my little fingernail). The perception of reward is
increased if the animal never knows what it’s getting…
Pewterrabbit1
Good question! I’d suggest using two different ‘clicker’ reward sounds-
perhaps a click for one and a bell or electronic beep for the other. It
will be a little more confusing, but if you can spend a week consistently
rewarding one rabbit when you click and the other when you make a beeping
noise, then you should have rabbits that speak two different languages! I
work with mine together and both use a click, but Pewt is a lot quicker
than Babbitt and she sometimes gets frustrated…
Pewterrabbit1
Yeah, very similar. You just have to take things slightly slower and
remember that a rabbit (unlike a dog) has no instinctive desire to please.
You have to be very interesting and very rewarding for the rabbit. If
you’ve clicker trained a dog, try clicker training another species as you
can apply exactly the same techniques but learn a bit about the other
species’ temperament as well! π
Solongo Tserendavaa
Hi, very helpful video! I just got a mini/standar Rex and she’s 9 wks.
She’s already litter trained and doing great in her cage. I’ve taken her
out couple times to get acquainted with her new home, very curious and
already explored the whole living room. I would like her to stay on my area
rug (throughout is hardwood floor) and roam around as she wishes. How do I
train her for that? I want to learn how to get her attention and start
clicker training.
Pewterrabbit1
He was three when I made this video. He’s a Polish rabbit – they’re known
for being very handsome but also quite timid. π Chinchillas are great fun
– have you tried training yours? I’ve never trained one but I understand
they are intelligent little creatures!
mutilate6
Hello there,i’m jsut about to get another young rabbit 9 weeks he will be,i
have had rabbits for many years but want to clicker train this one,is there
an age i should start this at ?
aznboi1214
He’s a chinchilla rabbit, a breed of rabbit that has agouti fur similar to
a chinchilla, but a rabbit in every sense. He’s pretty smart as well and i
taught him a trick every couple days, only taking the day for him to
understand and a couple days to reinforce before school. No time for
teaching new tricks now that school is back in π He’s already learned how
to spin, stand, come, go to a desired point and lastly we were trying to
get him to get acclimated with a harness.
Pewterrabbit1
Fantastic! Rabbits are far quicker than people give them credit for! I’ve
just googled what a chinchilla rabbit looks like -they are beautiful!
Pewterrabbit1
You can probably buy it on the Internet – search for burgesspetcare on
google… I’m not sure in which countries it’s available.
Pewterrabbit1
She’ll probably quickly learn to walk on the hardwood floor – it’s quite
hard to restrict her through training as the urge to explore is probably
stronger than the food motivation. It’s probably better to either use a
large run or rabbit proof the room… Once she’s reliably taking food from
your hand, then start whistling before you offer the food. You can also
start loading the clicker and then you’re away! π let me know if I can
help more! π
Pewterrabbit1
Thank you! π
Pewterrabbit1
Yes if Thumper REALLY likes carrots! Try to use tiny pieces – about the
size of your little fingernail – that way you can do quite a lot of
training without making Thumper full! π Good luck – I hope to see your
progress on a video! π
Pewterrabbit1
It’s called “Burgess Super Rabbit Excel” (search for burgesspetcare on
google). I like it because “Grass” is the main ingredient, not lucerne or
alfalfa that is often used. π
Pewterrabbit1
How exciting! Do you have another rabbit that you’ll keep him with? If not
– why not get two rabbits – they are much happier in pairs! π I’d start as
soon as the baby has settled in – just get him used to taking treats from
the hand and then start to “load” the clicker. Clicker training works at
any age! Good luck – let me know if I can help at all! π
Pewterrabbit1
Good luck! π It’s great fun – let me know if you post a video with your
rabbit! π
aznboi1214
Thanks for all the videos wouldnt have been able to without you! just
wanted to voice my appreciation and also comment on how adorable Pewter is
I watch his videos when i’m missing my rabbit haha. I really have trouble
with the go to X command though :/
aznboi1214
how old is Pewter in this video? so cute! also what breed is he? I have a
standard chinchilla myself, but Pewter is so small and cute π
Brandi Teate
Is Pewter a Netherland Dwarf?
Pewterrabbit1
He’s actually a Polish rabbit, but I wouldn’t recommend getting one. The
English Polish rabbits (as compared to the American ones) have a reputation
for being incredibly flighty. The only way we’ve managed to forge a
relationship with him is through clicker training – he is naturally really
fearful. They’re not really selectively bred to make good pets, they’re
just bred for the coat.
Alishba Khan
Ur bunny is sooooooooo cute
Marjolein Gijs
what reward do you give your rabbit?
Pewterrabbit1
They are lovely looking rabbits! π