On Friday, I was excited when I brought home my new snow white long-haired English Angora bunny, with the longest hair!
Quickly, I realized that she needs training. She is only 6 months old and I want to train her before she gets too old and stubborn.
She has a cage, but, I want her to be treated like a cat, like she can roam around and be free. But, Ive learned that this cannot happen until shes been properly trained.
I let her sleep in my room with me without her being in her cage, and that was a big mistake! I know, I messed up.
But, I need some help on a few of these topics:
-How to properly litter train her? In her cage, we were using aspen wood chip bedding, but, it was getting stuck in her fur. I read online that newspaper is a friendly alternative to bedding, and Ive been using it. Ive shredded five or six sheets of newspaper and ruffled it up and cut it down, because the paper was getting wrapped around her feet. I bought a small tray used for litter training small animals, and I put it in her cage, filled with the aspen bedding . I read online that I should observe where she went to the bathroom in the cage, then place the tray there. I learned she does it in the front right part. So, I placed the tray there. But, what should I do to properly train her?
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com -How do I teach her to eat properly? XD I mean, I put her food tray in her cage and she bit the bowl, shook it, and flipped the bowl over, covering the bottom of the cage with bedding. But, a few hours later, I saw her eating the food off the floor. I was thinking about getting her the food bowls that you bolt to the metal bars of the cage.
-How can I teach her to be more outgoing and friendly? I know that shes going to be nervous while she gets used to it here, but, she hides behind the couch, under my bed and nightstand, and behind my dresser. Shes friendly and likes to be petted and brushed, but, she seems to keep to herself. I want her to be friendly!
But, most importantly, I just want to know how to get her to eat right in her cage, and how to potty train her so I can keep her out of her cage longer. Ive kept her out of the cage this weekend in my room , but, I put her in the cage last night and plan to do so every night under shes trained.
So, any personal tips or tricks would be amazing!
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com thanks! (:
Okay, hold up.
You can't have any wires laying on the floor, and the sockets must have child protectors. While rabbits can roam like cats and dogs, it is so important to make sure they can't get any wires or nom on sockets. This is a huge risk factor ... And it totally sucks when you find out they've bitten through your brand new Laptop Charger ...
http://www.longislandrabbitrescue.org/bu ... That's a website on how to safely bunny-proof your house. ^ ^ Make sure you have guards around your doors, too, so they don't run out while the door is open.
http://www.adoptarabbit.com/articles/tox ... That's a list of plants dangerous to rabbits.
So, about the litterbox training. Luckily, I never had to do this. My rabbits never liked going to the bathroom outside their cage because, believe it or not, rabbits are one of the most organized and clean animals there are. Mine have a specific corner where they go, and that is the only place they will.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com But, to litter box train a rabbit is sort of easy. When she goes to the bathroom where you don't her to, don't scold her. Just scoop it up and put it where you want her to go, and keep it there. Eventually, she should get the picture. Soak up puddles with a tissue and put it in the litter box.
Praise her when she goes to the bathroom where you want her to. This generally works best when you let her decide which spot in her cage she wants to go, and let her know that it is always available to her, 24-7.
Bonding-
Rabbits can live well into their teen years. You have all those years to bond with your rabbit, but the sooner the better. They are animals of prey, meaning they have trust issues. Make a small play area where your rabbit cannot leave, and just lay in it for a while. Put treats on your stomach, and let your rabbit come to you. Approach your rabbit from their side, since they cannot see what is directly in front of them. Avoid loud noises, like dropping things, or loud music.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Rabbits do not generally like to be held, but when they do, they'll hop on your lap and snuggle. Never pet her with your palm, always with two fingers.
Touching her nose is a form of a challenge. If you do this, you will be a threat to her.
Give her an area where she'll know you can't bother her. This will be her retreat, her place where she can go when she's feeling unsafe or irritated.
Food-
