They start this now?!

[skibunny8503]

Archie has always been pretty good by himself and I’ve actually left the room and trusted him.  But after getting Gracie I can’t leave the room to much because sometimes she tries to synch her teeth into the furniture, just a bite and she’ll stop (we just bought it too, so I’m not very happy when she does do it).  Well today I hear this sound and I look over by her and she’s really trying to chew the back of the recliner   Archie started doing it a bit too (probably to copy her).  I can tell him no and he listens but she doesn’t know those words and doesn’t react to clapping or whistling.  I had to stand by her while we were watching tv and finally take her to the cage so I wouldn’t have to watch her every move because the moment I turned my head she’d try to go at it again.  I’d hate to block every single piece of furniture with cardboard or nic cubes (plus the recliner goes back so you can’t really put anything behind it).  I feel like this is a dumb question and probably the only way is to block the chair from them but anything else I can do or any way to try to train her? 

[KitD]

You could try having a spray bottle handy. I find that it is a great reinforcer.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I’d rub some vinegar on the couch/furniture and put a phone book nearby so she chooses that instead! She probably just wants to chew and if the phonebook is there-or a cardboard box she’ll likely chew that instead. Clap when you see her doing it and say NO -that generally works as well.

[skibunny8503]

I tried using a spray bottle when they were bonding and it didn’t faze her haha, she just got all wet, as did Archie (he looked rather evil with his spiked hair on his head!)  Never thought of vinegar, I’ll try that.  Just got a new phone book last week so we have one in their cage (she loves to chew the binding….never digs for some reason) and we have my parents old one too.  Will try that and hopefully it’ll work.  Thanks! 

[KatnipCrzy]

Sometimes Schroeder tries to chew on the dog toys that we have laying around- the rubber type toys only- like a Kong.  I discourage him I have tossed a tennis ball in his direction- and that usually gets his attention.  He pays no attention to saying “no” or clapping.   It is so gentle of a toss- it is more like rolling it I guess- and not only does the motion distract him it attracts our dogs which helps to discourage him.  You could try that with Gracie- but make sure that she does not try to chew the tennis ball instead- maybe rub orange or grapefruit peel on the ball so it does not smell appetizing?  If she finds that when she chews on furniture she is “chased away” by something she dislikes maybe that will help to discourage it.  I used the tennis ball so Schroeder would not associate any physical contact or approach from me with something negative.

My dogs always have toys laying around and they are able to get them out of the toy box- so it would be hard for me to remove every rubber toy since half the time they are under the bed, chair, etc.  I think maybe he smells that peanutbutter that has been inside the treat toys- since those are the only ones he goes after.  Neither of my other bunnies have any interest in the dog toys at all.

[skibunny8503]

Thanks for the advice guys!  I tried the vinegar and I think it helped a little.  I try to watch her a lot and when she even hints that she’ll do it, I’ll push her to the side a little, look her in the eyes and say “No Gracie!”.  I think she’s starting to get it because she tried and I said no and she stopped! 

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Hi i read somewhere that if you go over and put your hand firmly on their nose and press to the ground like dominating them and say no in bunny language it is like telling them off. Also i read if you pick them straight up dont talk to them and put them in their cage everytime they do it and turn your back on them and ignore them they get message you are cross. It said that when i bunny is cross it will turn its back on you, so by ignoring and turning your back they understand you are cross and if you vigilantly do it everytime they start and they get put away they should be smart enough to realise that they are not benefiting from their behaviour x Also when they next come out give them something good to chew and if they chew it give them treat and over do the praise they are apparently like children and dont respond to punishment as such so need lots of praise and to be removed and ignored for the bad….. Dont know if it will work though having said all that. They are all sooooo different arent they, my old bunny bumble was so good she used to go in the hall and everytime i would go out walk her back into the room etc and after half a dozen times she just stopped going out there like she new she wasnt allowed and i would leave the door open and everything…. i soooo miss you bumble i think you really were the most perfect house bunny and we had such a short time….xxxxxx

[wendyzski]

Posted By PEPPA GEORGIE on 04/17/2009 04:52 AM
Hi i read somewhere that if you go over and put your hand firmly on their nose and press to the ground like dominating them and say no in bunny language it is like telling them off. Also i read if you pick them straight up dont talk to them and put them in their cage everytime they do it and turn your back on them and ignore them they get message you are cross. It said that when i bunny is cross it will turn its back on you, so by ignoring and turning your back they understand you are cross and if you vigilantly do it everytime they start and they get put away they should be smart enough to realise that they are not benefiting from their behaviour

 

Yeps – that’s from The Language of Lagomorphs site

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Arrr i was wondering where i had read it as meant to tell a friend and didnt know how to find it again. I will bookmark it now was a lovely site xx

[Author]

Messages