July is Adopt A Rescued Rabbit Month! Bunnies could definitely use some help in the PR department. They’re not only adorable, they’re cuddly, clean, and lots of fun. They can even learn some cute tricks! A Lexington, KY vet goes over some of them in this article.
Come
Floppy is definitely smart enough to learn her name. To teach her to come when you call her, start by sitting in the same room as her when she’s out of her cage. Hold out a treat and call her name. Do this several times a day. Sooner or later, it will sink in!
Jump
This one is both fun and adorable. Bunnies are natural jumpers, so it usually doesn’t take much to get them to hop on command. Hold a treat up, just high enough so your furry buddy has to jump to get to it. Then say ‘Jump’! Stage two of this one would entail teaching Floppy to jump into your lap.
Cage Time!
This one can actually be quite useful, as you’ll be able to get Floppy to go to bed whenever you want her to. Sit beside her cage and hold out a yummy treat. When she comes up to you, move the hand holding the treat into the cage, and tell her to go in. Just remember that she’ll have to see the treat move for this to work.
Give Kisses
This one is super cute! Start by enticing Floppy with a treat. You’ll want to hold it so it’s easily visible. Then, move the treat close to your face, making sure she sees it. You may need to bend down so your face is near Floppy. Then, close your hand, so your furball can’t see the treat. She’ll start sniffing around, looking for her prize. When she gives you a ‘kiss’, make a kissing sound—or say ‘kisses’ and give her the treat.
Tips
These are just a few things Floppy can learn. You can also teach her to jump through hoops, walk on a leash, or even play piano (sort of). The main thing is to be patient. It may take days or even weeks for your furry pal to truly learn something. In general, shorter, more frequent sessions are better than hour-long classes.
Do you have questions about your bunny’s health or care? Contact us, your Lexington, KY veterinary hospital, today!
