How do you teach a rabbit to jump?

[Lionbunny]

Bunny runs up to the edge of the couch and stands up to look at me. She even puts her feet up on the edge like she wants to come up. But she never jumps! We have a screen that is less than a foot and a half tall keeping her out of the bedroom. She scratches at it, but never attempts to jump over (which she could easily do). I know I might regret it, but is there a way to teach a rabbit to jump up?

[MarkBun]

Some buns just don’t like to jump. I know that sounds wierd but it’s true. Maryann hops up on my bed to get away from Dono – who has never hopped up on my bed but could EASILY make the leap.

Usually, if you put them up on the object and they jump down from it, they will then figure out that they can jump up on it.

[Alicia Conklin]

That’s what we did with Tucker when we moved him into his new condo…he was afraid of the jump up to the second floor but I knew he could make the jump since he used to jump on top of his old cage which was taller then the second level.  We picked him up and put him on the level and he jumped down.. he was still a little hesistant to jump back up but he finally did do it and then started doing it regularly and now does bunny laps by jumping up on the left, running to the right, jumping down and then going back up again.  If a rabbit likes to be on the ground putting them up higher might help them to face their fear of jumping since jumping down will mean going back to where they want to be…then once they see that it wasn’t so bad they’ll do it more often

[Beka27]

*sigh* some days i wish my rabbit would get off the couch and let me sit on it… do you ever lift her onto the couch? maybe she’s just very very well-behaved.

[Sage Cat]

I think it has something to do with them not having the depth perception that we humans do. they just are not to sure how high it is.

So, by putting them up on something and then back down – that helps them figure out the height – then they might do it themselves.

[kralspace]

My Lola didn’t jump up much when she first came home. She was a bit overweight anyway so I stacked up some cushions by the couch and the “bunny’s” chair and she started out hopping up the ‘stairs’. Now I only need to have a rug by them to give her traction and she pops right up.

My Daisy is so very, very shy, he (yes, I know, he was mis sexed by 3 vets) that when he does venture out of the condo, it’s like he’s planning an escape route back to safety or is OCD. He’ll come a few steps down the ramp, then run back in, each time coming out just a few feet further. And I mean he hurtles back in like a wolf is after him.

It might take him all night to work his way out of the dining room into the living room when Lola loves to hang around behind the wood stove. And if Lola gets in his “flightpath” he just runs right over her….lol.

Kathy

[skunklionshow]

Kathy:  that’s hilarious, I’m sure it’s very fun to watch the determined Daisy.  I guess he is REALLY shy, even his tinkerballs are shy!?!

I too have done the up & down to show them it’s ok.  I also did this for Leo to show him that the stairs are safe.  Unfortunately as soon as I left him on a step, he didn’t move from it.  Jess was hoping over him on the step like a little demon bun.  One thing I learned w/ the therapy bunnies is that if they really want to go somewhere, they’ll do it.  Leo used to regularly jump out of the open top of his cage when he was in the classroom.  Trigger used to leap over any door barrier you put up, no matter how high.  So if they are determined enough, they’ll do it.

[Beka27]

Meadow has a new bad habit… she jumps from the couch arm onto my desk. now i need my desk to be bun-proofed… all i’m saying is be careful what you wish for…

[Lionbunny]

Sage-

I think you’re right because when I do put her up on the couch she contemplates the jump down for a long time and then when she finally does jump down you would think I had put her on top of the refrigerator or something with the way she jumps down!

Beka-

I know you are probably right!

[Beka27]

how long have you had your bun? Meadow never jumped on the couch for a few months and then all of a sudden one day she did and she has not gotten off since. she looks kinda small too so maybe it is her size and she’s a bit unsure of herself.

[Deleted User]

Maybe you could entice her with a treat by wafting it under her nose when she is stretched up on the couch or provide a small box or container and turn it upside down and put a treat on the top … that may encourage her to at least jump on the box and then she may be brave and jump up on the couch.

Luey is not a jumper (thank goodness) … my other bun Sprinkles was forever on the couch pooping and peeing which drove me nuts.

 

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