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baby bunny wont go back in his cage

22 11:08:19

Question
i have an 8 week old baby bunny (my first) who've i had for about a week now. we are starting to bond with each other very well, but when he is out of his cage and its time to put him away, he just doesn't want to go back in. i don't want to pick him up and undo all the trust I've built up, so i am gently sho-ing him round the room towards his cage until he finally jumps back in at the moment.as I'm following him around the room I keep repeating the words "in your pen", and then when he finally goes in giving him lots of praise and a treat.  i don't want to chase him to death though and scare him, but this gentle sho-ing is the only way i can get him back in. am i going to be scaring him by doing this? and is there anther way? plus, because he's so young, i cant tempt him with fruit of veg treats because he hasn't been introduced to those yet, and he doesn't seem too keen on the selection of rabbit treats I've brought him, so cant bribe him this way. is there any other treats you can recommend that babys like? also, having a bit of trouble getting him to use the litter tray outside of his cage. he uses the one in his cage fine, but the outside one, he just wee's near it. I've been de-odorising and washing the carpet after each mistake. but he continues to wee just outside the tray. i know it may take time, but can you suggest anything?
many thanks,
Sally

Answer
He is young, so litter training will come with time. He is at least getting most of the trainign right by weeing next to his box. It will not ruin the trust that you have built with him by placing him in his pen. Picking him up and holding him is a way to bond with him. Chasing him around too much will scare him and do more damage to your bonding.
I would not give treats at all other than hay cubes or loose hay until he is 3-4 months old at the least. His digestive system is way too sensitive right now and any treats could cause him diarrhea. THis could be why he isn't real fond of any of the bunny treats you have for him.
You can try spraying perfume on the spots where he pees outside of his box. Sometimes this deters them from wanting to pee there.