Help! Buns are STILL peeing on couch!?

[LadyCrassus]

Hi there, I have 2 rabbits both rescues and they are both approximately a little over 2 years old. I’ve had them going on 2 years now and they are spoiled to the T.          Zara and Vlaad get pellets every morning, fresh hay all day, tons of toys and they are mostly free roam so they have a brilliant amount of independent space. I do have a smaller condo (approx: 4’x6′) for their little sanctuary and where I send them when there are behavior issues etc.. I’ve tried almost everything and it seems as if this is the one bad behavior I can’t train them into not committing. My rabbits have only been peeing on the couch for a few months now (feels like years…..), and they’ve always been pretty well rounded in using their designated and super happy 2 litter boxes with hay. I feel as if I must be doing something wrong and they are cruelly punishing me!

I clean often and they get veggies and fruit at least once a day as a special treat. They have plenty to do and sometimes go days without using the couch and then I think “hooray, I’ve done it”… low and behold, what comes up must come down and I digress. 

I’m at a loss and have resorted to just being on top of cleaning the couch often and have since placed a shower curtain liner on the couch when I don’t want to use the couch (which I rarely do anymore) and I have a roommate who doesn’t say much about it but I know how bothersome it must be. I thought about buying a snappy trainer but I would hate for that to deter my cat or dog to go on the couch which I don’t mind at all. 

Any advocation would be tremendously appreciated! I’ve extended the extent of my resources….. THanks everyone.. 

[Azerane]

Many people have trouble with bunnies on their couch, but the solution seems to be different for different buns. Some rabbits can never be dissuaded because they simply love peeing on soft things too much.

For some the solution is simply to permanently block access to the couch for your bun. A frustrating solution but sometimes the only way around it. I have also heard recommendations of actually placing an additional litter tray on the couch when bun is out. Not glamorous by any means, but it may at least redirect the behaviour off of the surface of the couch and into somewhere that you don’t mind wee going. Another thing to try is that whenever you see them using their usual litter tray, is to praise them (pet them, make happy noises, even feed a treat etc). Make a big statement about the fact that they are using their tray. Praise, attention and treats are a strong reinforcer and may make them want to use their tray more in an attempt to get that praise. It may take a little while because unfortunately you won’t be able to praise them every time (because they use the litter tray so often and you simply won’t be around) but every time that you are around when they use it it will be important to do so to encourage that behaviour. I’ve not tried it myself, but it should be the same as any wanted behaviour, the more you praise it, the more reliable/frequent it becomes.

[Tgbarber]

I’m suffering the same. I am going through pee pads like no tomorrow. I jusy ordered another 100 count box from on line today. I used to love sitting with him on sofa until he started peeing and pooing.
One funny thing is that he’s started now running and binkying back and forth on the sofa. He does several flops as well. Super cute and funny but then poos are flying so not quite so funny.
I’m soooo hoping one day he stops but no end is in sight right now. I feel your pain.

[P'Up2.6]

Our Tom was doing this. I tried everything from putting 4 litter boxes across the couch(which he would push forward or completely off the couch and pee and poop anyways), to using a taken apart x-pen to make it scary to get on (he eventually figured out he could get under it). We got a new mattress and kept the old one for our large breed dogs, we put the dog mattress on the couch over night and we put the dogs giant beds on top of a bunch of overstuffed foam pillows during the day. We actually haven’t had a couch peeing incident since we started covering it with large unstable objects that he can’t hop up on. That way we can still sit on the couch when we want to. The things we do for our animals is rediculous at my house though.

[P'Up2.6]

Our Tom was doing this. I tried everything from putting 4 litter boxes across the couch(which he would push forward or completely off the couch and pee and poop anyways), to using a taken apart x-pen to make it scary to get on (he eventually figured out he could get under it). We got a new mattress and kept the old one for our large breed dogs, we put the dog mattress on the couch over night and we put the dogs giant beds on top of a bunch of overstuffed foam pillows during the day. We actually haven’t had a couch peeing incident since we started covering it with large unstable objects that he can’t hop up on. That way we can still sit on the couch when we want to. The things we do for our animals is rediculous at my house though.

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

Bumping this topic because I would like to see what everyone’s suggestions are too. Unfortunately we have had this problem with Dorothy for 8+ months! Strangely, she only does it when I am away at work, and my boyfriend leaves the room. She doesn’t do it when I leave the room, so I assume this is a territory thing. Maybe she doesn’t like his scent left on the couch. The only thing that works for us is watching her very closely and blocking off the living room when we have to leave the room

[Wick & Fable]

Wick used to do this often, and he’s now stopped (for now), haha. I’m hoping it’s a permanent learned behavioral change.

It’s a bit difficult since your bun doesn’t seem to do it when you’re around, but the key is to link the action with a punishment (nothing harmful, but should be adverse). Once Wick did it (I’d know when he’s about to because he shimmies his butt backward a bit), I pick him up immediately and bruskly put him in his pen, stating a very clear, loud “No!”. I make sure not to make the pick-up motion seem like I’m petting him or anything. When I carry him there, it’s a loose carry where I’m not swaddling him like I’m petting him. I close the door to the room with the pen (with him in the pen locked) and he stays in there until I have it cleaned up and I’m ready to let him back out (I usually wait about 15 minutes).

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Sirius&Luna]

The one thing that stopped Sirius peeing on the couch was when I caught him mid wee and carried him to the litter tray (getting slightly pee covered in the process). He must have decided that it was so undignified he would never do it again :/
Other than that, I would keep it covered in blankets etc that can be easily washed.

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