Have you taught them tricks?

Just wondering if any of your rabbits have been taught tricks. Recently I noticed my male netherland, jeff took a very keen interest in one of the other rabbits plastic rattly balls. Everytime I go in the shed he runs to get it now and tries to put it in the mesh. I also found out through him stealing them that he likes guinea pig nuggets. So putting 2 and 2 together in the last week I have taught him to put the ball over the side of the hutch roof into my hand for a treat and for the first time tonight I done nothing, said "give me the ball" and he stepped forward to get it and gave it to me! Im amazed how quick hes taken to this and what else I can teach him. Any ideas, I have failed to bond him at the moment and he hasnt been this happy before, he can see all the rabbits round him though but jeff and I are enjoying the stimulation.

Jay taught his Bertie to do all sorts of things using clicker training. Ill let him tell you all about it but Bertie loved it!

ooh, I have clickers lying around.

Hiya, Bertie really got into clicker training. I used it to help him come when called, pick up things (toys, dumbells etc) and run an obstacle course. I only did it all cos he was a lone housebun, and very intelligent, so he not only needed the exercise, but the stimulation as well. He also had arthritis in his lower spine, and I was advised to do the 'walkies' bit.Once we started, it really helped him to learn how to amuse himself.
A couple of days before he died I had taught him to sit, stay and then after walking to the other end of the room, to come when called

He was such a treat monster, and was prepared to do anything for a nibble of pellet or veg

There's a very good website on clicker training buns here

and you can see some of what we did here

Hope that helps

Cool video. Jeff is a lone rabbit although hopefully not always gonna be so thats why I spend that extra time with him. Thanks for the links.

Just watched the video of bertie! If I can find my clicker I'm gonna give it a go with Luna starting today...I shall let you know how it goes! xx

^ Harlequin's are naturally good at it

You need to start by making sure that he knows a click means a treat, so for a couple of days, click each time you give him a pellet or nibble of veg, once he's learned that association, he'll recognise that the click is a positive thing

Im gonna add the clicker in so I can train him to different things. Between learning tricks and trying to bond him he will be occupied. Because my baby "male" actually looks to be female it means he can maybe go with them.

By the Way......Jeff is Adorable!!

Darn! Couldn't find my clicker think I'm gonna have to buy a new one at the weekend or something....I have been inspired by Bertie

LilyGrace wrote:Darn! Couldn't find my clicker think I'm gonna have to buy a new one at the weekend or something....I have been inspired by Bertie

Berties Legacy - Amazing. x x x x x x x x x x

LilyGrace wrote:Darn! Couldn't find my clicker think I'm gonna have to buy a new one at the weekend or something....I have been inspired by Bertie

That's made me feel really nice, Thank-you. I miss my little guy so much, I'm chuffed he's been an inspiration, esp as you weren't here when he was around Bertie's Harlequin colours ran in the wash but Luna does remind me of him!

Im gonna try and get a mini basketball hoop and put it on the outside of his hutch. He knows to pick it up, he can lift it high and give it to me so all id need to do is put my hand in the hoop to begin with until her does it himself.

Indie22 wrote:Im gonna try and get a mini basketball hoop and put it on the outside of his hutch. He knows to pick it up, he can lift it high and give it to me so all id need to do is put my hand in the hoop to begin with until her does it himself.

Sounds like he'll be a natural. Berts used to pick things up and run round with them in his mouth

Once he has it sorted I will video it. He was on my shelves moving brushes and bowls around this morning, should teach him to tidy up. The dog used to put toys away on command haha

Yeah I am certainly going to get a clicker and teach my buns some tricks, I didn't think they could do tricks until I saw Bertie's vids

jeff is getting too bright, he just threw a brush on one of my other rabbits on the floor and his face was like "wasnt me mum!!" Hes really happy as getting 5 mins with one of my other rabbits at the mo. He didnt take to her fantastic at ifrst so doing 5 mins here and there before I introduce on the ground.