RaspberrySwirl
Well-Known Member
This discussioncame up in another thread and I thought it might be of interest toothers. I've had so many peoplewho havecome to ourhome andare so surprised at how well Sebastian responds towords. I thought I'd share my methods in case anyone else would like totry them out.
In the wild, thumping is used as a warning signal and a show ofdominance by other rabbits. I have used it as a training tool withSebastian. I believe Buck Jones has used some of these kinds of methodsalso.
When we taught him the meaning of "NO" and "Leave It" we hit the floorwith a cupped hand. It has been very effective. We no longer have touse our hand on a regular basis. He now responds to the voice commandsalone. Usually .:?
I've trained Sebastian pretty much as I have my dogs over theyears. Animals in general respond the best to one-word commands thatare accompanied by a handor body movement of some kind.
When I went to the refrigerator to get his greens Id ask if he wantedsomething to eat as I opened the door. I'd put emphasis on the word"eat". Before long when I said "eat" he ran to the refrigerator to waitfor greens.
We'd ask him if he wants "up" each time we picked him up. Over a periodof months he would come to stand up on his back legs all on his ownwhen you'd ask him if he wanted "up".
When he'd go behind the computer desk or the entertainment center wherethere were wires, we would smack the floor and say "leave it!" andchase him out. Soon he knew that phrase meant to stay away fromwhatever area he was near when he heard us say it.
Every morning when I come to the kitchen he's happy to see me and giveskisses. I always say the words "give me kisses". Now when we say itother times he will usually come running and give kisses.
If we ask if he wants a treat, we emphasize the word "treat" and go to his cabinet. He now runs ahead and waits there for us.
When he'd throw his toy I'd say "throw it"afterawhileI'd say it first and he'd throw it for me. You kind ofhave to capitalize on certain things sometimes.
I just think it's a matter of patience and a lot of repetitiveness.Weeks and weeks,or perhaps even months of it. I've beenworking with Sebastian for a year now.
One last suggestion. Be open-minded. I would never have listened if someone had told me a rabbit couldn't be trained! :dude:
RaspberrySwirl
In the wild, thumping is used as a warning signal and a show ofdominance by other rabbits. I have used it as a training tool withSebastian. I believe Buck Jones has used some of these kinds of methodsalso.
When we taught him the meaning of "NO" and "Leave It" we hit the floorwith a cupped hand. It has been very effective. We no longer have touse our hand on a regular basis. He now responds to the voice commandsalone. Usually .:?
I've trained Sebastian pretty much as I have my dogs over theyears. Animals in general respond the best to one-word commands thatare accompanied by a handor body movement of some kind.
When I went to the refrigerator to get his greens Id ask if he wantedsomething to eat as I opened the door. I'd put emphasis on the word"eat". Before long when I said "eat" he ran to the refrigerator to waitfor greens.
We'd ask him if he wants "up" each time we picked him up. Over a periodof months he would come to stand up on his back legs all on his ownwhen you'd ask him if he wanted "up".
When he'd go behind the computer desk or the entertainment center wherethere were wires, we would smack the floor and say "leave it!" andchase him out. Soon he knew that phrase meant to stay away fromwhatever area he was near when he heard us say it.
Every morning when I come to the kitchen he's happy to see me and giveskisses. I always say the words "give me kisses". Now when we say itother times he will usually come running and give kisses.
If we ask if he wants a treat, we emphasize the word "treat" and go to his cabinet. He now runs ahead and waits there for us.
When he'd throw his toy I'd say "throw it"afterawhileI'd say it first and he'd throw it for me. You kind ofhave to capitalize on certain things sometimes.
I just think it's a matter of patience and a lot of repetitiveness.Weeks and weeks,or perhaps even months of it. I've beenworking with Sebastian for a year now.
One last suggestion. Be open-minded. I would never have listened if someone had told me a rabbit couldn't be trained! :dude:
RaspberrySwirl
