Rabbit litter training/tricks??

Question

i got my minilop about 2 weeks ago hes about 11 weeks old now and ive been trying to litter box train him. i put hay n the box and herbs as a treat and i put it in the corner were he likes to pee but he still wont use it he just moves buisness spot some were else.also ive taught him to stand up on his hind legs for treats but what else can i do like tips on how to? and how do mini lops communicate with you like what are some signs that he likes you he is mad or is scared i noticed he does this jumping thing around me and sometimes he nudges me does that mean anything. also any good mini lop care site would be great :)

Answer 1

Toilet training a rabbit is a bit of a long process.  I personally use a paper based kitty litter as opposed to hay.  Then you just keep scooping up his poo when he does it and put it where you would like him to be doing it, likewise if you see a wee wipe it up with  toilet paper and put it where he should be going.  Given time he will pick this up and as rabbits get older they also get a lot cleaner.  Remember to keep his litter tray nice and clean because if it gets too dirty he wont use it anymore.  If he is mad or scared he will stomp his hind legs, they also growl, scratch and bite.  The jumping thing you aretalking about does he kick both back legs in the air and kind of twist his body a little, if so this is called a binky and is a sign of happiness.  Nudging is common as is rubbing you with their chin, this is their way of saying you are theirs.

In regards to care, I'm not sure of what are the best sites but I am happy to give you some care tips etc just send me an email and I'll give you some more indepth care advice.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Most rabbits won't litter train until they are nutered.  Even then they will usually only consistantly use the litter box to pee, and they will poo everywhere, fortunatly it is just hard little pebbles you can easily sweep up.  I put shaved wood pine chips in my rabbits box and no where else.  Don't put food in the litter box, put it beside the litter box. scoop up some of his poo and put it in the litter box so that he knows what it is for. Keep him in the  cage with the litter box as much as possible, letting him out to exercise for specific periods of time no longer than 20mins.  Until he learns to use the box. check out this website for good rabbit info.

www.rabbit.org

The jumping thing means he is very happy and is playing. the nudging is a show of affection or he is trying to get your attention.  Rabbit also mark territory, if he rubs his chin on things he is saying that "this is mine" he may also do it to you.  Rabbit are very social animanls and his is trying to socialize with you.

when ever i gave my bunny a treat I would hold it in my hand and make little circles so that he would run in a circle chaseing the treat a few times. now, if he wants a treat he will run in a circle in front of people until he gets something or if I have a treat in my hand he will run in a circle before taking the treat.

when you are playing with or petting him, talk in a differant tone of voice than you normally would, be consistant and he will get to know that you are talking to him, it is unlikely that he will ever learn a name but he will come to recognize the tone of your voice and may even respond to it.

Answer 3

Sorry i don't have a site but i know a way to house train them. Ok first of the bunny should be locked in his cage with the litter box,i know this sounds funny but put a few of this poos,and a bit of a weed on materiel In the litter box.And in the other side of the litter box put a tiny bit of hay,as when eating rabbits often pooh. And when he gos to the loo in the box,give him a treat.But he might not learn that,so if he continues to toilet where you don't want him to put something like an orange in the corner of the house he like to toilet as they don't like the smell of cirtrus fruits.And in the corner on the litter box put some fresh hay to tempt him.

But you MUST follow the same rules in his cage! Like if he doesn't use the box in his cage,then keep the rest of the cage spotless as if he doesn't use the box in his cage i doubt it he will use it in the house! i Forgot 2 say he should be not let out his cage for a least a day(as long as its bigger enough) Its to teach him to use the box.

And with the jumping round your legs thing,Hes just very happy,rabbits jump or spring when they are happy. He nudges you to get noticed as he feels. My bunnies(mine are Dwarf &mini lops!) Do this when i am sat down or cleaning them out,some do to say ''move aside'' if they want to get to something wheres others can do it to say ''stroke me'' So he probably just wants a stroke! Hope this helps.

Answer 4

On thing you can do is add poops to the litter pan when he uses outside the litter, this will help in knowing his scent goes here.  Let us know how it goes.