Things You'll Need
- Apple branches
Instructions
Spay or neuter your rabbit to help ward off any potential behavioral issues. Rabbits are hormonal creatures that can become agitated easily. By removing the hormones, you create a rabbit that is much calmer and less territorial, which makes them less likely to bite during handling.
Allow your bunny to roam outside of its cage for a minimum of 20 minutes each day. Be sure and keep an eye on the animal while it is roaming, to help keep it from chewing on dangerous or valuable items. When caught in the act of unwanted chewing, say "No," firmly to the rabbit and give them an acceptable item to chew on. A good chewing substitute and training tool are apple branches.
Teach your rabbit the benefits of human contact by petting them any time you are passing their cage. If the rabbit is disgruntled and avoids contact, then begin by approaching the rabbit from the top of its head and work your way down its back with your palm.
Determine what causes stress to your rabbit, that consequently results in unwanted behavior. Some rabbits are territorial over food or their litter tray and may bite or charge when you handle it. In order to remedy this, pet the rabbit with one hand, giving them reassurance through touch, and then gather the item needed with the free one.
Do not use aggression to punish your rabbit. Rabbits are extremely delicate creatures, and a forceful impact could injure or kill them. Also, rabbits do not easily forgive their owners for physical altercations, and this could cause your rabbit to distrust you and make training impossible. Proper rabbit punishment involves positive reinforcement and strong verbal commands. Time out after engaging in destructive behavior is also an effective training method for rabbits.