Harness training?

Question
Hello

How do I get my bunny used to a harness and leash?  

Answer
Oh my. This is about as much fun as getting a cat to enjoy a harness and leash! In my experience, rabbits never really get very used to having the harness put on and taken off. It seems to set off a primal "trapped" reaction, especially putting something over their heads. But if you can get through that, then they tend to get used to wearing it as long as they get to do something interesting  that distracts them from the harness.

So, I wouldn't just put on the harness and try hanging around in your house or apartment, or the back yard if the animal already has access to it regularly. Go out in the front yard or a safe park or something, a new place to explore. To make the rabbit feel safer, you can take his or her carrying crate as "home base" so the rabbit can go in there when they feel insecure, and come out when they feel better. In my experience, they come out and go back in several times before deciding that the place is OK and get into exploring mode.

On the harness, I highly recommend a small dog harness and not the "figure 8" style harness frequently sold for rabbits. I know of more than one rabbit who has slipped out of one even put on properly. The dog type to get would be one that is an "H pattern." I also highly recommend one with  plastic snap fasteners, like on most fanny packs, rather than buckles--so much easier to fasten and unfasten on a squirmy rabbit.

I like the retractable type leash. I generally just sit in one place for awhile holding the leash as the rabbit gets used to the immediate area, and then gently follow the rabbit around, letting more leash out the more safe the environment is and the more eager the rabbit seems. Unless your rabbit is extremely unusual or you are a very talented animal trainer, your rabbit is never going to go where YOU want to go. The leash is more of a protective device so that if the rabbit sees something scary (or you do first) the rabbit won't bolt out of your control and you can quickly go pick him or her up.

Best of luck!

Gina