Traning a single bun UD - video & litter training

UD - Clicky

Some of you know that I was always resolutely against training Bertie to do anything un-rabbity, because I didn't want him to be a trained to be under our command, as it were. I've had a change of heart and direction after a few things that I've heard and done, and the effects are quite startling.

Firstly we trained him to come to his name about a year and a half ago. It's still not 100 % successful, but he does at least look up from where he is, and sometimes come over. I was happy to leave it at that, but now he is trained to beg for his food, to keep his back healthy, and he does 'walkies' now, on his hind legs, takes 6-8 steps, which is just amazing, and gorgeous He's also learning to jump through a hoop at the mo, which is going well.

I've come to realise that this extra stimulation has 3 effects; it stops him getting bored...it makes him more alert, active and playful with his own toys and stuff...and it has increased the bond between us enormously. Bertie won't ever let us stroke him when he's on the sofa, he'd just jump straight off. A few nights ago, he jumped up, lay down next to Paul, and then let Paul stroke him there for half an hour. He's become more interactive with his playing, and seems to be loving hide n seek a lot at the mo, and i'm absolutely thrilled that circumstance and a couple of people have pointed us in this direction. I'm getting a 'clicker' this avo, and we'll see what happens

The more I learn about the effects of his sole house-bunny status, the more I feel we have to do with him, and provide for him, and it seems to be paying dividends. Will post vid of Bertie doing a Charlie Chaplin walk, when he's got to 10 steps - It's too cute for words

That is just so cute. I love Bertie vids.

I know what you mean about us hummins bossing them around, but it is surprising that sometimes things aren't just how we see them.

I think that Bertie just loves you and Paul no matter what you do.

Ahhh - bertie is sooo fab. I wonder how daisy would take to this? Where do you even start.......

I spend so much of my time trying to see things from his point of view that I really really wouldnt know where to begin.....I guess treats would be involved??????

It is easier to train them once they are full matured, but you could try getting Daisy to come to his name, and see how that goes.

Do it when he's hungry too, and instead of giving him his pellets in his bowl, keep a few in your hand. Sit a couple of feet away and say 'Daisy' in that sing-songy was we do, show him the treat, and if he comes for it, give him it, with a pat and praise. Do a couple more, then move another few inches away, and try again, and so-on.

If he comes for the treat without you saying his name, don't give him it, ignore him and move away, then repeat. You're training him to associate his name with something good, so it's important that you keep the rules clear!

If he won't come for the treat initially, move a little closer, and try. If he doesn't wanna play at all, try again tomorrow, you need to persevere.

Once you've got him responding to his name, you could try 'up' and lift the food a few inches, see if he'll periscope for it.

Let me know how it goes

Ill give it a go - thanks Jay.

Id love to be more interactive with him - at the moment he is a bit alluf, he wants cuddles - but only when he wants them - he will come up on the sofa with us - but wont stay, anything that will bring us closer would be wonderful. Im sure he loves his mummy, but he is very cat like in his treatment of me! ha ha ha

It took Bertie 18 months before he relaxed with us, there's still, after 3 years, a few things that he's unsure about

Bless him

How fantastic that your relationship with Bertie is still growing

Gabe will walk on his hind legs when he is after a treat or I am slow with his supper. I thought I had imagined it the first time I saw it. Looking forward to the vid of Bertie

Katieb wrote:Ill give it a go - thanks Jay.

Id love to be more interactive with him - at the moment he is a bit alluf, he wants cuddles - but only when he wants them - he will come up on the sofa with us - but wont stay, anything that will bring us closer would be wonderful. Im sure he loves his mummy, but he is very cat like in his treatment of me! ha ha ha

This sounds like Brynn.

You'll really start to realize how much you're loved when other people come over for a visit. Brynn is quite social and likes to be around people or go up to give them a good sniff, but she doesn't like to be touched by strangers. She'll let Matt rub her nose, but I can give her full bunny-body massages (when she's in the mood). Best of all I'm the only one Brynn gives kisses to. It makes me realize how much she must love me if I get special treatment.

You'll find little moments like this and it will make your heart melt!

This is incredible, can we have some vids?

Chance is too old, Ratty is too vacant and Bella is too much of a madam to do anything I ask them to do. Infact Bella intentionally does the opposite and who am I to argue with a 3 ft bunny!

I'll do some vids at the week-end. He is LOVING his training, he went to pick up his clicker for me this morning
So far, he's jumping through a hoop, running through his tunnel, jumping over a box, spinning, walking and begging.

He's picked it up instinctively, and he's just enjoying it massively.

I'm giving him all his non-hay food in training sessions now, and the binky's when he's leggin it over to me are just wonderful

Jay wrote:I]I'm giving him all his non-hay food in training sessions now, and the binky's when he's leggin it over to me are just wonderful

That's a really good idea! Seeing him binky toward you must be sooooo special! What a guy!

We definitely need to see videos of Bertie the Wonder Bun.

Gloria and Wolfie will periscope and when I hunker down, will climb up on my knee for food - only for food and when it's gone, they go too!

So here's what he's done after just 5 days - Clicky

That is great. He really looks like he is enjoying it and it will be doing him so much good. I love it when he is standing up and you can see his fluffy tummy.

This is so great! I love Bertie!

He runs so fast, it's adorable. He is clearly having lots of fun!

That is fantastic - what a very clever bun Bertie is! You can see he absolutely loves it.

I sat smiling and laughing all the way through that vid - love it.

It's very interesting what you say in your first post. I felt the same with Rosie - that we didn't want to "humanise" her and therefore we didn't train her. I now wish that we had tried some more things with her. Although it has to be said, I used to try and teach her her name (with food, etc) but she never learned! Though she would have been known by another name before she came to us and that was maybe the reason she never answered to "Rosie". She was also blind for quite a while so obviously we couldn't have trained her then. But it's certainly got me thinking - thanks for sharing.

Thanks guys, he's already doubled his capacity on the assualt course, and is now playing ball, and picking up his bunny dumbell too!

TBH Helen, I'm a bit gutted I didn't go with this earlier, it wasn't until Anne showed me a couple of things when he went to play in her garden, that I saw the benefit.

I've started to use the clicker to stop him pooing outside the litter tray. Whenever he goes in the tray, he gets a click and a treat, and after 2 days, we have no exterior poos!

Wow, that is fantastic that he is not pooing outside the tray in such a short time. He is obviously a very bright bun and is just lapping up all the extra stimulation. You should be a very proud bunny dad!

Oh wow, Bertie is such a smart and gorgeous boy.

Well done to you both

WOW WOW WOW that is amazing. Go Jay and Bertie!!!!!!

Wow that is fantastic. Well done!!!

Jay, I've decided, once I'm over this cold, to try some of these tricks with Brynn. I think she'd really be good at them. She's very smart and I think she'll pick up on it quickly. Maybe if I don't screw it up with her I'll try it with The Hippo Man!

Any tips would be greatly accepted. Also, where did you get your clicker from?

Kool I got the clicker from a pet store, you can get them on-line, search for 'dog clicker trainer' , but if you have a pen the makes a loud click, that'll do. You can't use your mouth, cos the sounds needs to be consistent, and delivered precisely.
You start by training that the click means a treat. I used tiny bits of veg for this bit. Sit next to Brynn, click, and give her a bit. Just keep doing it for a while, and after however long it takes her, if you are a couple of feet away, click, she'll look and expect something.

After that, I trained him to come to his name. I started 2 feet away, and called him. Each time he responded, he got a click and treat. Initially the click needs to be immediately before the treat, so when she's just about there, click, then treat. Increase the distance as she improves. After that, you can do whatever. I started to get Bertie walking next, before doing simple tricks.

I got the info from this website, the articles are really good Let us know how it goes, and if you need any more pointers

Wow Bertie is such a clever boy!
Might try to train Shadow, he's a terrible monkey especially when it's bed time and he starts playing chase the rabbit in and out of the table and chairs.
Well done Jay!
Emma x

This is absolutely incredible I am blown away......