re-training

Question
we have a young male house rabbit. he was neutered about 6 weeks ago, prior to this he used a litter tray, since then he doesn't use it urinating all over his cage, he never urinates around the house but i can't seem to train him to use the tray again as i'm having to clean the cage daily to avoid the smells in the house. aslo he doesn't like being picked up anymore. he will allow us to stroke him when he's on the floor but as soon as we lift him he scratches and kicks free. i need some advice on how to re-train him. i thought he would be more lovable and better trained once he had the op but it's otherwise.
thank you
katrina

Answer
Just to eliminate health issues, have you made sure he doesn't have a urinary tract infection that is causing him to miss the litterbox?  If he does not, then you may have to go back to basic litterbox training.  There is information on that at http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/litter.html  Sometimes rabbits will forget and have to be reminded that he needs to be using the litterbox.

Most rabbits don't like to be picked up, and it may be better to respect his choice.  However, sometimes he will have to be picked up, and there are various methods to do so.  You can try the info at http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-11/lift.html and see if any of these techniques will work for you.

My rabbits prefer to be petted while we are both on the floor, trying to pick any of them up immediately results in struggling.  This is because instinctually a rabbit that is being picked up is a rabbit that has just become dinner.

Kim