Monday, May 24, 2010

Bunny help, please?

Ok, I have a Dutch Dwarf Rabbit. He's two years old, and the best pet ever. The only thing that bothers me is that he doesn't respond to his name! Could someone suggest something that would make him turn his attention to the person calling his name? We've tried and tried, but nothing works! He hears us, and occassionally tilts his ears towards us, but doesn't come or show any sign of interest.
Is there anything I can do about it, or is it too late?
Answers:
This may, one day, save your rabbit's life. Teaching your rabbit to come when called will be helpful if your rabbit would get loose. The best and fastest way to teach a rabbit it's name is to call the rabbit's name when you feed it, as you are playing with it and when you give your rabbit a treat. Teach this the same as you would a puppy, or even a child to learn it's name. Also, call your rabbit by name to come to you as you get it out of it's cage each day. To the rabbit, it's name should equal fun and/or food and time with you. If your rabbit ever does get loose and come back to you when called, get out it's very favorite treat and give the rabbit verbal praise like never before. Choosing a name for your rabbit is more important then you might think. Here are other ways you can teach your rabbit to come over when called:
-Sit on the floor near your rabbit.
-Hold out the treat and say “Thumper [or whatever your rabbit’s name is], come.”
-Give him a treat and verbal praise if he approaches you. Repeat the command as he approaches.
-Move a little further away. In the beginning, don’t move very far: just a couple feet will do.
-Hold out a treat and again give the command. If the rabbit follows you without you having to say the command, simply say the command as he approaches.
-Give him a treat and praise when he approaches.
-Repeat this several times in a row, several times a day. Use treats each time for the first few weeks to get your rabbit to associate the command with the treat. When your rabbit comes every time from a close distance, start calling him from further away. In time, reward your rabbit with petting and toys, and only use food occasionally to keep the behavior strong.
There's nothing to worry about, though. Rabbits are, sometimes, independant and will lose interest, but some, they'll come right away as they hear their name. My rabbit used to pirk up her ears as soon as she heard her name. I miss my bunny rabbit. :(
hes deaf then
its nothing to worry about they are self center and not very active in the morning and afternoon they are more nocturnal animals and i never herd of a rabbit coming to the owner from calling it's name I think that might help
Elena has the best technique. Time will only tell.
In all my years of raising rabbits, many of them learned their names, but I did find the smaller the breed, the more likely it was to ignore you, and as rabbits go dutch dwarfs are on the lightweight end of the size scale. Just keep at it, always refer to it by name, and if it turns to you after you say the name, praise it. Eventually he'll learn. Though, there is always the possibility that you just have a stuck up rabbit... :-D

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