Alek wrote:
But how do you tell a rabbit no for other things- like trying to chew on cords and etc? We're still bonding so I don't want him to fear me- just learn some respect for the home.
Rabbits can learn the meaning of "NO!"... they just don't choose to give it any weight, sometimes.
The best approach is to emphasize the human "NO" with the rabbit "attention" signal - that is, you say NO and at the same time, thump. If you can literally thump, that's fine, otherwise clapping your hands or slapping the couch (if you happen to be sitting on a couch) will work as well. The idea is to interrupt the behavior and get the rabbit's attention. If you do it consistently enough, the rabbit may get the idea that Mom or Dad doesn't like him or her to do that. At least, they'll get the idea you don't want them to do it right then, while you're looking. Sometimes, that's enough to break a habit.
Sometimes... not so much. I'll often hear a chewing noise from the direction of the bookshelves while I'm typing on the computer, and by the time I've turned my head, Natasha's sitting in front of the shelves, ears up, eyes bright - "Hi Dad? Did you hear that, too? Must have been somebody else chewing on the shelves..."
Basically, you can't stop a rabbit from chewing, especially on wires (actually, you wouldn't want to - rabbits must chew, to keep their teeth from overgrowing). For wires, your only hope is to block them all off where the bunny can't get at them. For other chewing, it helps to have acceptable alternatives within easy reach - toilet paper rolls or cardboard boxes, old phone books, pieces of old lumber, apple twigs, etc. Don't waste money on those brightly colored "chew toys" from pet stores - neither of my buns ever gave them a moment's consideration, but a new toilet paper roll is cause for celebration any day. Stuff the roll full of hay and it's the Toy of the Gods.
