My rabbits name is Bugs and he was given to me by my friend Nancy. Bugs was left out in the woods by his previous owner and Nancy found him. Knowing I had a six year old daughter, Nancy asked if i would like the rabbit for her. I picked the rabbit up from her house and brought him home. My daughter was delighted, but all I kept thinking was "what am I gonna do with this thing now that we have him?" Sound familiar??..............

The first week was the hardest. Bugs was very skitish and needed to get use to us and his new environment. During the second week, he was much better. He started taking food from our hands, would let us pick him up and hold him without trying to get away and would hop over to us when he was out of his cage. I know you are probably wondering what any of this has to do with training a rabbit, but the point I am trying to make is that you and your rabbit must become "friends" before you start to train him. My rabbit was 4-6 months old when we got him and was left abandoned in the woods and I was still able to do amazing things with him. A little love, trust and patience will go a long way. Here are three things you should do before you start to actually train your rabbit.

1) Make sure you have a proper cage for your rabbit:
I recommend having a cage that has both a top and side door. Having two doors is important. The top door is useful when you first get your rabbit because you can slowly reach in and pet him with out scaring him or worrying that he might get out. Eventually, you will have your rabbit trained to go in and out the side door on his own. His cage should be big enough for him to have a "living" area and a "potty" area. Tall cages with a ramp leading up to a stoop are very good since it gives them an area to sit plus they get exercise going up and down the ramp. Don't forget to have hay or a mat or both for them to rest on.

2)Let your rabbit exercise everyday.
Before your rabbit is trained I suggest having a small confined space to allow him to hop around. It was May when we got Bugs so I would take him out on the front porch and let him hop around. The kitchen is the best indoor area. Usually there is nothing down low ( like electrical cords) for them to get hurt with and you have an easy to clean floor when they go to the bathroom. Use a baby gate to block the doorway . You should have your rabbit out to exercise 1-2 times a day for 30-60 minutes. An exercise pen is an excellent way to keep you rabbit safe indoors and out.

3) Feed your rabbit
You should feed your rabbit a combination of fruits, vegetables and dry food three times a day. Also try to have the rabbit take a piece of food from your hand each time you feed him, this will help build trust between you and your rabbit. Experiment with different rabbit treats in between feedings. You will find that your rabbit has one or two favorite treats which you will use when you begin to train him. My rabbit loves blueberry yogurt treats


Ok now that you have spent a few weeks getting to know your rabbit and have become friends its time to start training. Click Here to download my ebook

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When you beginning training your rabbit, only work on one task at a time. When your rabbit has learned the task you are teaching him, move on to another.

1) Litter Train Your Rabbit
This should be the first thing you teach your rabbit to do. It is a fairly easy task to do plus it will eliminate having to clean up after him while you are training him. You will need a litter panabout 4 inches high and either hay or nonclumping rabbit litter to put in the litter box. DO NOT use regular cat litter. The dust can cause respiratory problems for your rabbit. Place the litter box in the room where you have been letting him exercise. Remove some "rabbit pebbles" from the bottom of your rabbits cage and place them in the litter box. Put your rabbit in the litter box and use a command like "rabbits name, go pebbles" or "rabbits name, go potty ". Don't worry if your rabbit hops out of the box, let him hop around for 10 minutes then place him back in the box and repeat the command. When you see your rabbit go potty in the box, praise him by scratching his nose or stroking his head and say "good rabbits name" or good boy/girl". DO NOT give your rabbit a treat for going potty. Do this everyday for a week. By the end of the week your rabbit should hop in the pan and go potty whenever you have him out of his cage.

2) Train Your Rabbit to Beg/Sit Up
This trick is pretty easy because rabbits naturally sit up on their hind legs all the time. Start when your rabbit has all four feet on the floor.Put your hand above her head with the treat in your fingers.
Use a command like "rabbits name, sit up" or "rabbits name, beg" When your rabbit rises up on her hind legs to get the treat, give her the treat and some verbal praise. After she rises up consistently in response to your command, start eliminating the treats. One time give her a treat, next time don't. Eventually you will only have to say your rabbits name with the command and your rabbit will respond. Practice this task with your rabbit everyday. It should take 1-2 weeks for your rabbit to accomplish this task.

3) Train Your Rabbit to Come
To teach your rabbit to come, you must get down on the floor with your rabbit, at a fairly close distance. Hold out a treat for your rabbit and use the command " rabbits name, come". As your rabbit moves towards the treat, slowly withdraw it back a little bit, then allow the rabbit to take it. Repeat this routine everyday, starting from a little further away, every 2-3 days. By the end of 1-2 weeks, you should be able to kneel or squat on the flooor from several feet away and have your rabbit come to you.
Some rabbits catch on more quickly than others, but within a few weeks, your rabbit should come to you just about every time that you call her. You may even be able to get her to come to you from another room.

4) Train Your Rabbit to Go in His Cage
Training your rabbit to go in his cage can save you the headache of chasing him around when your ready to put him away. Start by having the top and side doors to your rabbits cage open. Place your rabbit fairly close to the side opening of his cage. Reach into the top opening with a treat in your hand and hold it right at the opening of the side door or a little past it. Use the command " rabbits name, go in", as your rabbit goes for the treat slowly pull it back, drawing your rabbit into the cage. When your rabbit is completely in the cage, give him the treat. Once your rabbit masters this step you will also need to use the "come command" when you're ready to put him away. You should call your rabbit to come to you so that he is within a close distance to his cage. Then use the "go in" command to have him go in his cage. ALWAYS give your rabbit a treat or feed him when you put him in his cage.

In conclusion, always remember to verbally praise your rabbit when he responds to your commands. You must use these commands with your rabbit on a regular basis or he could forget what you taught him and you would need to start all over again. I hope these tips were helpful and wish you as much joy with your rabbit as I have with mind.For more rabbit training tips and tricks and detailed information on caring for your rabbit, click here Don't forget to share feedback and let me know how your training is going.