Training a rabbit

Rabbits learn exceptionally well with positive reinforcement based training. This can include methods such as clicker training and lure/reward training. In both cases, the rabbit will receive a reward, usually a small food reward for completing good behavior. Owners can teach their bunnies interesting and complex behaviors for fun ("tricks") but also teach them things such as accepting nail clipping, grooming, handling, and management behaviors such as going home on cue or coming when called.

Benefits

 * Bunnies start to view their owners as the source of good things instead of the "enforcer" or a scary person that puts an end to their fun.
 * Increases your bunnies confidence around their owners and makes them less shy.
 * Good management behaviors such as going home with cues or coming when called decreases the need to chase down and catch a bunny (which can make them less accepting of handling).

Tools
For clicker training, all you need are the following:


 * A rabbit to train.
 * A clicker. We would suggest using a quieter clicker such as the i-Click Clicker so that the noise will not startle your rabbit.
 * Bag of treats. These treats should be in very small pieces so that you can feed many of them in one sessions. Pellets and small pieces of carrot or celery are easy to have on hand.

A clicker is not completely necessary since you can also train your rabbit to respond to a verbal cue such as "Yes!" However, humans tend not to be consistent with their verbal cues like a mechanical sound can with tone and inflection. Consistency is key when clicker training.

Tricks
Below are some links with more information on how to clicker train your rabbit to do specific tricks.
 * Joan Orr, Train Your Bunny to Sit in an Easter Basket
 * Joan Orr, Training Your Rabbit to Jump on Cue