The Un-Litter Trainable Reggie!

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 4 months ago by Kayepaye.

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- 11/19/2014 at 8:51 AM
  Kayepaye
  Participant
  18 posts
  At the end of September, I adopted a 4-year-old Rex rabbit named Reggie. Reggie is a total sweetheart, loves pets, and is an absolutely wonderful bun!
  
  I had him neutered on October 10th, and he healed wonderfully.
  
  Reggie is currently living in 2 XL dog crates that are side by side, and the doors are left open 24/7. Each crate has a large litter box, a hay rack, some toys and water, as well as a soft bed. He doesn’t wander away from his area, despite the doors being left open.
  
  The problem with Reggie, is that he is not litter trained, and I have been unable to litter train him.
  
  He does pee and poop in his litter box, but he also goes all over the rest of his cage. He doesn’t have a specific corner or “spot” that he goes, it’s just anywhere and everywhere.
  
  It’s getting really frustrating(and expensive!) to have to change out his cage blankets every day.
  
  I’m wondering if anybody has any tips to train the untrainable? Or if he’s just going to be the kind of bun that isn’t ever going to be trained?
  
  Thanks for the help in advance!
- 11/19/2014 at 9:08 AM
  litheandgraphic
  Participant
  608 posts
  Have you tried starting with a smaller area first? Constrict the size of his pen so that there’s basically just his litterbox and a little space for him to move around. After a week of this, try expanding his pen a little bit, and then a little bit every three days until he’s back to his normal pen size. This may help him learn where to go.
  
  Also, don’t lose hope! It takes some rabbits a lot longer than others, but he will most likely come around to it after a while; and when I say a while, I mean it could take a few more months, if this technique doesn’t work.
  
  It could be that he still doesn’t feel like he’s made it clear enough that his pen is HIS area, so he’s marking it very thoroughly to let you know. Another thing to be wary of for the time being is intruding his space. Try not to go inside his pen too much until he’s litter trained.
- 11/19/2014 at 9:47 AM
  Kayepaye
  Participant
  18 posts
  Posted By funny-looking-rabbit on 11/19/2014 9:08 AM
  
  Have you tried starting with a smaller area first? Constrict the size of his pen so that there’s basically just his litterbox and a little space for him to move around. After a week of this, try expanding his pen a little bit, and then a little bit every three days until he’s back to his normal pen size. This may help him learn where to go.
  
  Also, don’t lose hope! It takes some rabbits a lot longer than others, but he will most likely come around to it after a while; and when I say a while, I mean it could take a few more months, if this technique doesn’t work.
  
  It could be that he still doesn’t feel like he’s made it clear enough that his pen is HIS area, so he’s marking it very thoroughly to let you know. Another thing to be wary of for the time being is intruding his space. Try not to go inside his pen too much until he’s litter trained.
  
  Okay that makes sense!
  
  I will definitely give that a try! Thank you
- 11/19/2014 at 4:53 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  I would also remove everything soft from his area. You mention a bed and cage blankets. Some rabbits will always pee on soft stuff, regardless of whether or not they are fixed! Try removing those things and see if that helps!
- 11/24/2014 at 4:26 PM
  Kayepaye
  Participant
  18 posts
  Posted By Beka27 on 11/19/2014 4:53 PM
  
  I would also remove everything soft from his area. You mention a bed and cage blankets. Some rabbits will always pee on soft stuff, regardless of whether or not they are fixed! Try removing those things and see if that helps!
  
  I worry about him getting sore hocks if he is always on a hard surface though…
- 11/24/2014 at 8:26 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  Sore hocks can be a concern if he doesn’t have access to different flooring types, if his nails are not kept trimmed, and if he is overweight. Does he exhibit signs of sore hocks now? What is the flooring like in his exercise space?
- 12/03/2014 at 12:34 PM
  Kayepaye
  Participant
  18 posts
  Posted By Beka27 on 11/24/2014 8:26 PM
  
  Sore hocks can be a concern if he doesn’t have access to different flooring types, if his nails are not kept trimmed, and if he is overweight. Does he exhibit signs of sore hocks now? What is the flooring like in his exercise space?
  
  His nails are good, his weight is good, and he has access to carpeted, and hardwood flooring.
  
  He is mostly free range in my room, his cage has foam mats on the bottom, with a towel or blanket on top. The “play” area is hardwood with rugs and mats spread out in various spots, and then there is carpet in the hallway.
  
  I don’t think he’s exhibiting any symptoms of sore hocks right now, I’m just a paranoid mama!
- 12/16/2014 at 9:02 AM
  Kayepaye
  Participant
  18 posts
  UPDATE: I left Reggie locked in his crate for a week (I felt awful the whole time!) and started letting him back out this week, BAM. Litter trained.
  Keeping him in a smaller area definitely helped, he’s actually going back to his cage to pee and poop now while he’s out, it’s wonderful!
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