Just moved ‘n marking territory-Never did it before

[CameronsMom814]

We moved just 2 weeks ago. Before we moved, our bunny was PERFECT with potty habits, and all habits actually. Never chewed, dug, or went potty outside his box. It was remarkable, and I’ve mever had a bunny so good like this. He was this way from the day I adopted him, which was just last September. But then it all has changed since we moved. In the new home, he has dug a couple holes in the carpet, and is repeatedly pooping mainly, and sometimes peeing, on or around our bed for thew dog. I have been working with him with “no!” while hand clapping, and sometimes a squirt with the water bottle. And also putting him in his pen when he’s been naughty (but I don’t want him to associate his pen with punishment). That does get his attention & he’ll run off when he sees me coming when he’s over there. I know he’s marking his territory in the new house, but short of staying behind him every second of the day, are there any other suggestions to help training him to stop? He used to never have to be locked in his pen, ever….not at night, or even when we were gone. Now iI have to lock him in at night & when we’re gone. Any help would be appreciated.

[LoveChaCha]

It sounds like he is marking his territory around the house. I would advise keeping him in his pen or an area until he gets used to using his potty regularly again and slowly start rewarding him with more space if he uses the box like normal. Bunnies don’t understand punishment and can fear humans

[LittlePuffyTail]

I agree completely with Chacha

[Bam]

I have tried his tip from the BB litterbox-training-page:

“The Cloth Trick to help minimize TERRITORIAL marking: A member posted about this in the forum, and I have also seen this on the show “Barking Mad”. Rub a cloth all over your bunny, then rub the cloth on the area he likes to mark. The idea is that s/he will no longer feel the need to spread his scent around if it’s already there. The few people that have tried this have said it works. Note: Territorial marking is very difficult to eliminate completely if your bunny is not spayed/neutered.”

‘ve tried it on my rabbit who just before Christmas suddenly decided it was absolutely necessary to pee in the sofa.

[CameronsMom814]

Thanks all for your wonderful advice. My bunny has been neutered, and he turned 4 years old. Nothing has changed; he’s still being naughty. I’ve been keeping him in his pen when I can’t watch him, and following him around when I’m home…just like when I had toddlers! I’m so sad that he can’t live amongst us like he used to. I just loved that about him. This is the biggest bummer. I’m thinking of setting up his x-pen in our guest room which has hardwoods. I liked him being in the master so I could have him near me. The guestroom is on the other side of the house, and I’m not on that side much. But in the master, the minute I let him out he heads for the dog’s bed & poops & sometimes pees. It’s too much to deal with. I have already paid for a mate for him, but now I don’t want to bring another bunny into this mix. Or does anyone think that companionship might curb these urges? I have no idea. So sad that I can’t get him back the way he used to be. But, he’s just doing what he knows best….being a bunny and I have top remember that.

[mini]

Had a bun who was very very good at only ever going to the toilet in her box. Then she got a companion after a few years, and she taught him. We were the poster family for good bunny parenting. Then a third turned up (literally). 2 years of bonding attempts, but nothing will separate the first two and they aren’t prepared to accept a third. Never say never, silly us.
After the third arrived, territorial marking kicked off. The first two, especially the eldest, ‘get their $*&! on’ as we call it, all over their room and anywhere there is a border when they are in the same part of the house and separated from number three.
We now keep #3 in a completely different part of the house and he stopped his marking immediately, the other two, oh no, they still go at it like their life depends on it.
It may never be the same again, but you do get used to stepping on the anti-personnel mines, especially if you get up at night to go to the bathroom, and come back to bed with a couple of markers stuck to your feet!

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