Bunny training lessons?

[Nishi]

I did my undergrad in psychology, so I know behaviorist principles and have known of mice, rats, even pigeons doing tons of smart things in the lab.. but when it comes to putting it in practice,I’m a little lost about how to train my bunnies stuff. I had dogs as a kid but only taught them sit and lie down. Anyone know of bunny training lessons in the Boston, or in NYC where I’ll be moving? A quick Google search revealed they have these in Minnesota! Otherwise, any good resources or tips? I want to teach them tricks and useful commands.. and I see a lot of energy and potential in one of them for obstacle course stuff!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I can’t imagine trying to teach my buns tricks, lol, but some people do it and do agility courses with them. I recommend looking into clicker training. There are websites and books you can buy.

[Mikey]

Bunnies dont really do tricks like sit/lay down/ect. They are very active so they like moving tricks. Another user in this forum was teaching their bun to run in circles/chase its tail. I taught my Bluey out to “nub” (stand on his back two feet; he puts his front arms really close to his body so he looks like a little nubby bun, its adorable). Blues also been trained to be my emotional support rabbit, but thats not so much a trick. With all of this it just took time, understanding, patience, and many greens and treats As for commands, its the same thing really. They can learn “no” and “come”, and stuff like that, but they might choose to ignore you

As LittlePuffyTail mentioned, many people like to run agility courses with their buns. I was watching a few on youtube the other day thinking about trying something like this with our buns to see if any of them like it

[Nishi]

Mikey, curious as to what training you give an ESA? I thought this just required a letter from a doctor.

LittePuffyTail, why not? I think it’s a cool way to spend time with them. Not sure how well one will take to it.. he mostly seems to like laying around and ignores me, but maybe if anything he’ll learn to see me as a treat giver and not just annoying human who cleans up after poops lol..

Agility training is on my list of goals! Two of my buns are so high energy, I’m sure they’d like it. I googled around and may settle on the clicking with your rabbit book that this site sells. Seems to have great reviews.

[Mikey]

All animals have a different list of requirements to become a certified ESA. For rabbits, they need to be trained to be calm in large groups of people. To be calm around many other animals. They must be trained on a harness+leash, or in a pet sized purse. They have to be calm in public. They need to be calm around possibly scary sounds. They have to be neutered/spayed, and atleast six months old. After that, they can be legally certified. They get an ESA ID to clip to their leash or for you to put in your wallet, and you can buy “I’m working, please ask to pet me” harnesses, vests, and leashes, but those cost a little extra

With my Blue, were taking it a bit further. Hes learned to come sit in my lap if i feel anxious (i dont even have to call him, he will just “know”). If i start full on panicking, he will nudge my hand/s repeatedly so i have to pet him. If it starts to get very extreme feeling, he will dig in my lap to get my attention and get my mind off whatever is setting me off. My anxiety and panic disorder cause me to faint on a fairly regular basis, so he has learned to wake me up by digging and tugging on my sleeves After he feels more comfortable in his bunny bag (current training), i want to see if i can train him to “fetch” so to speak. I want to see if he can learn to grab my phone if i leave it somewhere, in case of emergencies

[Nishi]

Wow, maybe there’s a difference in our areas as to what’s required… anyhow, that’s amazing! Glad you have such a special bun to help you.

[Mikey]

Thank you I think the set training code is to just ensure that the rabbit is calm in possibly bad/scary situations, and doesnt try to run away when presented with a situation that makes it uncomfortable

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