How to get a curious bun back in his pen without picking him up?

[MichiganRabbits]

School is starting for me next week and I’d like to get Baylor, my bunny, out to play for a while before school. Lately when I’ve gotten him out, I just wait until he goes into his pen by himself, and then I close the door (He loves in an x pen). On school days however, I’m not going to have time to give him hours of playtime in the morning, and instead will have more time at night. How should I put him back in his pen after playtime? Do I herd him in by scaring him? I don’t really want to do that but if I have no choice I guess I could? I also don’t want to be picking him up every day, as we are in the bonding process and I’m scared that he will not like me if I do that. What should I do?

[MichiganRabbits]

Oh and also he is a baby and isn’t eat veggies yet so I can’t tempt him to go in yet… I’ll probably do that when he gets older though, but for now I’m not sure what to do.

[Louiethebunny]

what I do is I train my rabbits to go in. my bunny Louis has caught on really well, but my Lola isn’t exactly up to speed yet. since she now lives with Louie she is catching on but what I do is I either take the pellet bag or the treat jar and stand right by the xpen door and shake it or open it or whatever, and Louie runs right in perfectly well Lola I can have to guide her in but she’s getting it, and then they both get a little treat.

[MichiganRabbits]

The problem is that my bun isn’t too interested in his pellets. He doesn’t really eat that many and I don’t think he will recognize that there are pellets in the jar. I gave him a toilet paper roll with pellets in it once and he didn’t seem to notice they were in it. Plus he is a new addition to the family, so I don’t think he’ll run up to me quite yet, so I don’t know if that will work.

[DanaNM]

I agree that food is the answer. Does he get excited about fresh hay? My buns will often run to their boxes after I top up their hay, so maybe you could time his hay-freshening for when you need him to go back in?

. . . 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.  

[Hazel]

I would try craisins. I know he’s still a baby but if you gave him one craisin to get him back into his cage I think it would be fine. Or even just half of one. No bunny can resist them, they’re called bunny crack for a reason. 😉

[pinkiemarie]

Food works wonders for mine too. As he gets older and his diet expands it will be easier but for now try to find something he can eat that you can entice him with. The other option is to kind of herd him in, which can be done without scaring him, but could make him mad. On the days move ignore treats and instructions and I have to herd them I usually get thumped at.

[MichiganRabbits]

I’ll have to try some different foods. Maybe I’ll try a fruit? Is it ok to give my bun fruit when he’s only 4 months old and isn’t eating veggies yet? We will be starting veggies soon though, but I need something to use temporarily.

[Wick & Fable]

As your establishing a routine, it may be a good time to incorporate some training, since food is a great incentive. Perhaps be consistent with a sound or word/phrase you use when he does successfully go into the xpen. It may lessen the need to chase in the future!

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.

[DanaNM]

Cheerios are another safe treat, and I think would probably be well tolerated by a young bun, since rolled oats are usually OK. I like using a treat that makes noise (like the sound of the package or rattling in a cup), so when the bun hears it they come running!

. . . 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.  

[MichiganRabbits]

I’m not sure I feel comfortable giving my bun human food such as Cheerios, but I think I might try craisins. Hopefully he’ll like them and will come running. I’ll probably put them in a crinkly bag so that they make noise! I’m going shopping tomorrow so I’ll pick some up. Thanks for the ideas!

[Hazel]

I bet he’ll love them! Just make sure you get the ones without added sugar. 🙂

[MichiganRabbits]

Great idea! I’ll make sure to check the bags👍

[Wilburbunny]

If food doesn’t work, you could also try herding him back into his pen with a towel, or anything else that with create a barrier. Just block his path, and as he moves closer to the pen walk with him so he can escape farther away. Eventually he will be forced to go into the pen. I hope food works for you though it’s a lot easier!

[MichiganRabbits]

Yes, me too! If I can’t find craisins without sugar I’ll probably use dried strawberries.

[MichiganRabbits]

I got some dried strawberries to try with Baylor! I hope he likes them! I’ll have to try it and then monitor his poops to make sure he digests them ok.

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