Training to respond to his name

I've resisted training Berts to do anything other that use the litter tray (and that hasn't been massively successful ) simply because I never saw a need and didn't want to have a control over him, didn't feel right. As he's gonna be on meds for the rest of his life, I have to now go through a twice daily game of catch the bunneh, not easy whan your bun is free roaming It's quite stressful and he's so blooming clever that he knows exactly when I have the syringe in my pocket and legs it, rather than lets me stroke him.

So I'm trying a new approach, and training him to come when called. We're on day 2 and it's going very very well, not only that but he seems to be loving our little training sessions. We have 1/2 an hour in the morning and 1/2 an hour in the evening, both during what would be meal times. I have a small handful of museli (his treat food) and some broken SS pellets, sit and one end of the room, shout 'Bertie' and he legs it over, I open my hand, he takes one thing, I close my hand up and move to the other end of the room. When he's stopped eating, I repeat it. After a couple of times he starts binkying over to me, gets really excited and we carry on like that for a bit, then I alternate between giving him food and giving him nose rubs, and he's just as happy with the rubs. After 1/2 an hour he gets his meal

I got him to run to his room last night by statnding at the end of the corridor and calling him from the lounge, the look on his face as he was hopping down the corridor towards the treats was pricelss

Anyone got any tips or other methods to try?

Aw, bless him. Sounds like you are doing all the right things

All my six respond to their names (called out in very enthusiastic fashion ) as it is generally linked to approaching 'tea' or 'sweeties'! BJ in particular gets really giddy when his name is called It is flattering to think they are pleased to see me but I know it is really the spring greens and even more so the sweeties.

Bertie is such a smartie I hope this helps you on the medicine front. I can relate to catching a free ranging bunny with loads of hiding places. Bunnies are so quick to spot when you want them for unpleasantries!

Jelly and Domino come when theyre called, Peanut did too, but pebbles never has. she knows her name as she looks round but she doesnt come over!

I use a pet clicker, not in the usual way. I dont "reward" them with a click if they are good like you do with a dog, i just click it as i say their names so they know to come to me, as its a very distinctive sound, similar to shaking a bowl of treats etc.

MissySJ wrote:Jelly and Domino come when theyre called, Peanut did too, but pebbles never has. she knows her name as she looks round but she doesnt come over!

I use a pet clicker, not in the usual way. I dont "reward" them with a click if they are good like you do with a dog, i just click it as i say their names so they know to come to me, as its a very distinctive sound, similar to shaking a bowl of treats etc.

What a great idea.connie responds to her name but briony not really bothered unless i've got food

Clickers are quite popular, my bunny behaviourist buddy uses them. She wants to train Bertie to do a few things, but I wouldn't let her, I just don't want an animal that sits when you say sit etc. It's not my style.

That said, the name training is going very well, I have gone from chasing (mildly) him round the lounge at nighttime to calling him from his room and he hops down there

He's not responding every time yet, but it won't be long I think