How to Train a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

28 14:20:57

How to Train a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit

How to Train a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit. Netherland dwarf rabbits, the smallest of all pure-bred rabbits, weigh in at about 2 pounds, and feature rounded bodies and short, upright ears. Often referred to as the "gems of the rabbit world," Netherland dwarf rabbits make appealing and gentle pets, and can live around 10 years with good care. Rabbits need plenty of time outside their cages to play and socialize; by training your rabbit to perform, you can enrich its life, promote bonding with you and give it both mental and physical stimulation. With patience, positive reinforcement and repetition, you can teach your Netherland dwarf rabbit to perform a surprising variety of tricks.

Things Needed

Bite-sized portions of your rabbit's favorite treats
At least 3 cat litterboxes, filled with fresh litter
Ball of crumpled paper
Plastic hula hoop

Step 1

Make sure your Netherland dwarf rabbit is teachable by providing it with a proper environment. Like all pet rabbits, your dwarf rabbit should be kept inside the house in a large cage or in a bunny-proofed room, visited often by household members. Not only is it inhumane to keep social creatures such as rabbits in isolation and boredom in outside hutches, it is not as easy to train rabbits that have been kept in such conditions.

Step 2

Train your Netherland dwarf rabbit to use a litterbox by providing at least three clean litterboxes at all times. Use both covered and uncovered boxes to see which one your rabbit prefers, and place them in corners of the cage or room. If there is one area the rabbit favors for elimination, place a box there. When you see the bunny using the box, praise it and give it a treat.

Step 3

When you see the rabbit eliminating outside the box, gently pick it up and place it in the litterbox. It's also a good idea to help along housebreaking by placing the rabbit in the box at 15-minute intervals.

Step 4

Train your Netherland dwarf rabbit to come when called by sitting on the floor and waving a treat while calling its name softly. Like cats, rabbits seem to respond better to a high, sweet tone of voice. Give the treat the instant your rabbit approaches, and praise it.

Step 5

Go around a corner when your rabbit has the hang of coming when called, and call its name. Most rabbits will waste no time in following the sound of your voice. This activity can even develop into a trick you can call "Come and find me."

Step 6

Teach your Netherland dwarf rabbit rabbit to play fetch by getting its attention and tossing a ball of crumpled paper. More often than not, the rabbit will bound after it and pick it up in its teeth.

Step 7

Pull out a treat that you have concealed in your pocket until now and call the rabbit, waving the treat. When the rabbit runs over to take the treat, it will drop the paper ball. Give the treat and praise the rabbit, saying, "Good bunny! Good fetch!" After the rabbit eats the treat and looks for more, throw the paper ball again.

Step 8

Train your Netherland dwarf rabbit to sit up and beg by holding a treat at eye level to the rabbit, then slowly raising it, saying "Sit up and beg." The rabbit will instinctively raise on its haunches to get the treat. According to the Rabbit Agility website, this trick--which taps into normal rabbit behavior--is among the easiest to teach.

Step 9

Fine-tune the "sit up and beg" trick by having your Netherland dwarf rabbit sit up for a moment before giving the treat. Many rabbits will do this trick on command after a while, without being enticed by a treat. Always praise your rabbit for cooperating.

Step 10

Train your Netherland dwarf rabbit to jump through a hoop by having a friend hold the hoop on the ground in front of the rabbit while you stand between the hoop and the rabbit, waving a treat. If necessary, bring the treat through the hoop toward the rabbit's nose to entice it to hop over the hoop to take it. When the rabbit steps through, praise it, saying "Good bunny! Good jump!"and let it have the treat.

Step 11

Move the hoop farther and farther from the ground as your rabbit gets more comfortable jumping through it. If the rabbit tries to run under it, the friend can lower the hoop so that the rabbit jumps through it; start again at lower heights, progressing more slowly this time. Soon, your rabbit should be sailing through the hoop.

Warnings

When your Netherland dwarf rabbit is out of its cage or its room learning tricks, leave the door open so it has access to the litterbox. It's not uncommon for litter-trained rabbits to return to their room to eliminate in their litterbox, then come back out again to play.

Warnings

Avoid a fatal accident or fire by supervising your Netherland dwarf rabbit closely so that it doesn't chew on electrical cords, which many find rabbits tempting. You can encase cords in plastic tubes, or spray them with bitter apple, a harmless bitter spray that acts as a deterrent. The ideal solution, however, is to supervise your rabbit when it is out of its rabbit-proofed space.