Bunny hand signals

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 6 months ago by DethronedbyQueenB.

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- 10/16/2014 at 10:30 PM
  DethronedbyQueenB
  Participant
  205 posts
  I confess I am getting a wee bit obsessive with the rabbits but they are so amazing. I can’t get over how smart they are.
  
  I figured since Queen B is so good at giving signals and communicating that she could possibly learn to follow some better even though she doesn’t seem to respond to verbal things. She watches me a lot and really notices what I DO. If she sees me move around an object, she immediately knows the way, if I put up a bungee cord she watches me to see how to take it down, etc.
  
  So, I have been setting up scenarios where she looks at me to see how to solve the problem, like getting out of an area or getting to a treat, etc. I started using my hand to guide her through it by rubbing my thumb against my middle finger really fast so she would follow that.
  
  Tonight it finally worked how I was hoping. She was under the bed laying on that vent and I called her and called her and she ignored me. I started making the finger rub sound and she turned her head to see it and immediately jumped right up and came over to me and followed me. YAY! I was showing her the set up so she can get in/out but babies can’t-yet.
  
  I feel like there are probably 100 more things they can do/learn and I haven’t unlocked the mystery yet, lol.
- 10/25/2014 at 12:51 PM
  hportland
  Participant
  46 posts
  That is so cool! It’s crazy how smart rabbits are. My own buns have figured out ways to escape their fencing just by watching me move it. It’s both awesome and so frustrating haha.
- 10/27/2014 at 7:59 AM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7538 posts
  what an interesting observation. I am thinking how to put that to good use now.
  
  OH you know something. When I get Cottons bribe treats to get him to go to bed he does follow the hand. If he doesn’t see my hand enter the cage he won’t enter. But if he is paying attention and sees my hand at the door he will zoom on in there. That one is treat motivated tho.
- 10/27/2014 at 9:46 AM
  DethronedbyQueenB
  Participant
  205 posts
  Yeah,
  
  I have come to the realization that she follows the hand because she wants/needs something.
  
  If she figures out there is no treat, she doesn’t follow- without a reason to like needing a way out. :/
  
  Sometimes the rabbits are too smart. They watch others behaviors accordingly. They seem to know my cues for treats now which I haven’t watched my own moves enough to know how they know when it’s coming and when it’s not.
  A youngin managed to pull the side of a cube off that wasn’t attached but using a wall as support, by dragging it away from wall by a zip tie. I did that yesterday when I did my morning and evening clean ups.
  
  It’s like I have to always be one step ahead but they will figure it out in time. >.<
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