Hi, I am new to clicker-training.
I have three rabbits that I have been trying to train to jump, and then I saw a video on YouTube of clicker-trained rabbits running an obstacle course. So I thought I ought to investigate clicker training and see if it helped. So I ordered the edownload book today and started reading it. And, of course, I ordered three clickers, one for each rabbit!
My three rabbits are Dorcas, Maddie and Jemimah. I will try to post a picture of the three below, but since this is the first time that I have blogged here, I don't really know where the picture will end up. You can also see video of them on my YouTube account "MyRabbits". They are really very sweet and charming.
Dorcas and Jemimah are both five years old this summer, and Maddie was two this past Easter. I am not sure how much they will be able to learn with the clicker method.
We also have 12 cats, ranging in age from six years to 13 years. The cats and rabbits pretty much mutually ignore each other. We had thirteen cats until yesterday, when Audrey died unexpectedly from feline leukemia. She is in the cat picture, fourth from the bottom, and I am also including the picture of her grave.
high jumping rabbits
Hi Nora
I'm the person that trained the rabbits on the "Super Bunnies" video. I saw your high jumping video today. It does look like a paradise you live in with all that tall green grass. I'm lucky if we have a bit of scraggly grass with all my rabbits and so little rain here in CA.
I think you will enjoy clicker training and the ebook. You may recognize some of the super bunnies in the book. I like to train the jumping in the rabbit's own space at first, without a harness. Once they understand the jump and are doing it consistently, you can move to an outdoor location. You are already ahead because your rabbits are comfortable on a harness and leash.
The age of the rabbit doesn't matter much. As long as they are active and willing to eat treats, they can be trained.
Good luck
Andrea
Thank you
Thank you, Andrea, for your thoughtful response. And certainly Dorcas and Jemimah, my two five-year-olds appreciate your confidence in their appetite for treats!
I am still trying to decide what space to use as a training space. They are house rabbits, but we have 12 cats so the rabbits are generally confined to a bedroom, the Rabbit Room. As you may have noticed from the video, we also have an outdoor pen where they spend most afternoons. I have been training them only on the harnesses outside the pen, but now I see the advantage of working with them individually without the harness on. So maybe I will work with them individually in either the pen or the Rabbit Room. Do you have any recommendation for that?
Thanks so much.
Joy and peace,
Nora