Normal?

Question
I purchased two Netherland Dwarf rabbits about a month ago.  They are now 2 1/2 months old.  They are brothers, and I can only tell them apart by the way the act.  Both are friendly and very active, and love being with each other.  Since I got them, both of them have a tendency to urinate on me, and only use the litterbox to roll around in.  I have tried all the tricks, putting thier soiled bedding in the literbox, using multiple litter boxes in thier favorite eliminations spots, and rewards for when the do use the litterbox.  The problem is, that they continue to want to urinate on me, and now one of them has started to do this with my husband, and he is not liking it at all.  I know that fixing them with help, but what can I do until then?

Answer
There are multiple things that could be going on here.  One is that they are very young, and just may not grasp the whole litterbox thing yet.  Another is that they could be marking you all as their territory.  It's kind of their way of saying that you are theirs.  They are too young at the moment to neuter, probably in the next couple of months.  Also they may want down to use the litterbox, and you aren't picking up on their cues, so they just go where they are.  

You can try not picking them up, just sit on the floor with them and pet them, and see if they will use the litterbox when they have the option to do so.  Also, maturity will help them learn.

Unfortunately you are going to have to have patience, since they are just babies yet, but if you can get through this period things should go much better.

Also, if you do hold them, be sure there are several layers of towels between you and them.

Kim