How To Train Your Bunny To Walk On A Leash
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You might have seen some cute pictures of bunnies walking on leashes, and wondered if you could do the same with your rabbit. You can, but there are a few points that must be noted and steps that must be taken before you can do it safely.
Firstly, and most importantly: Rabbits are delicate.
Really.
A rabbit can easily be harmed through clumsy handling, or through simply bucking and twisting in it's owner's grip. The same principle applies when it comes to walking your bunny on a leash. If the rabbit starts throwing itself around like a mad thing (and some of them do) then it is best not to proceed, at least not until your rabbit has had more experience with being handled.
That leads me to my second point, which is almost as important as the first: Handling
Your rabbit MUST be used to being handled before you even think about putting a leash on it. You should be handling your rabbit anyway on a daily basis in order to check its condition, and to bond more closely with it. Rabbits are prey animals, so the act of being handled is terrifying to them if they are not used to it. Putting a harness on a rabbit feels a lot like being gripped, even more so when the bunny inevitably finds the end of the leash and it can't go any further, which is when it is likely to panic.
Third point: Proper equipment.
You cannot put a collar on a bunny. Their necks are tiny and far too delicate as a general rule. There are plenty of little harnesses made especially for bunny rabbits however, and they can be obtained at a relatively reasonable cost. A well fitted and quality harness will keep your bunny more safe.
Okay, so now you have the basics, it is time to put your bunny on the leash. It should be relatively easy to fit the harness. If it is a struggle, don't do it. A little bit of resistance is okay, but if the bunny flies into psycho bunny mode, back off and don't try it again until you have built up more trust with your bunny.
Simply clip the leash to the harness and you are ready to go.
There are a few points to note here too:
Walking a bunny on a leash isn't like walking a dog on the leash, you don't really direct them where to go, so much as follow them around.
Make sure that the area you are walking your bunny in is safe. It is not a good idea to take your rabbit out of the backyard, as it makes it very vulnerable to predators and other frights.
Let your bunny take things in its own time, and do your best to avoid jerking motions. The bunny has no comprehension that it is on a leash, at least, not at first, and may very well run off, hit the end of the leash, and panic. Introducing your bunny to the leash in a confined area first and gently letting it feel the control you have by restricting its movements before it goes into a full run is a good way to let your bunny adjust to this strange new sensation.
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Comments
It's the cutest thing to watch bunnies on leashes. There was a lady when I worked at a petstore who would walk her two on leashes. One was long haired an gorgeous, the other short haired.
Hi. I have a 3 mini lops and one dutch. I got my dutch from a store because nobody would buy her and she was getting older and not so cute. Well due to the lack of attention as a baby, she is not friendly like the other bunnys I have. I would like to be able to walk them all this summer, mostly giving the dutch the attention she deserves. Any advice??
If so please email me at
cricketsmygal@yahoo.com
thank you!
Hello! This is ALOT of help! I didn't know much of this stuff! Thank you times a million! But I have just a few questions...1.So can you let my bunny follow me or do I have to follow him?
2.Would it be okay if i walked my bunny on the street? Because there is bearly any cars or other any animals and stuff.
3.Does it hurt the bunnys paws to walk them on pavement?
When you respond you can respond to me at mrr.clean@hotmail.com
THANKYOU SO MUCHH!
hello i have had my rabbit for 2 months now and he is really happy and handled every day so now i have started to put him in a harness but he just does not follow me anywhere and every time i gently pull on him jhis eyes go white and bulgy
please help me as i would love to be able to walk him
Okay Olivia, first of all, bunnies DO NOT follow you. Walking a rabbit on a leash is a process of you holding the leash and following the bunny around. As the article states, not all rabbits are good candidates for leashes. I suggest that if yours shows signs of distress, you stop putting the leash on him.
Even if you do get him to be okay on the leash you won't ever be "walking" him like you would a dog. Bunnies like to do their own thing :)
My bunny was recently rescued from the streets. I adopted him for about 2 months now and he is still not so friendly. He gets scared VERY easily and stomps alot, I really want to walk him though so help?
do you have any more bunnie info put it up on the web i would love to know i will give you my e-mail latter ok i have a bunnie i dont know how to care for please...
Hi! So I put my bunny on the leash for the first time today, It went good at first i followed him(in the back garden) and then he started to go somewhere i didnt want him to go because i couldnt follow him there and so i made a big mistake and freaked out so he started running,really fast, and i couldnt keep up with him, by this point i was practically crying,then he tugged on the leash more and more and kind of spazed like trying to get out of the leash.when i finally caught him he was frantic, trying to jump out of my arms which he never does he has always obayed me without force and been affectionate but he was being really agressive all of a sudden so i just took off the leash and put him back in his cage. I really dont know what to do he doesnt mind the leash im just scared he will freak out on me again and i'll loose him. Please help me!
email me on: anna_wilkinson7@hotmail.com, please!
thankyou
I have a rabbit who I take to the park, he just loves running on a leash!
I didn't know this was something that could be done! The idea of it is adorable... for some reason it doesn't seem like it would be hard, but I dunno... :) Great hub!
I went to walmart and found a harness I measured my bunnys body under her front paws she was a bout 10inches around.so i would know what size to get her in the harness.MY husband thought i had lost my mind hes like a bunny on a leash i would like t o see that.well I walked my bunny for the first time yesterday..it was great yeah she so didnt mind me puttting on the leash.:D.BUt you most definitely CANNOT walk them like you would a dog!I just let her roam and try to keep up... I am thinking about getting a longer leash i have a 5ft one but im thinking of getting the one that rolls up where u can let out or shorten the leash.She now has a favorite bush she hides in and munches on.I think she rather enjoyed it (she licked my face alot when i bought her inside the house.)
My Gray Flemish Giant had bunny like a month ago. I took a liking to the only white one. I have been handaling him every day. First of all should I start putting a harness on him? Second would a lil' pals halter be good for it? and last of all how can you tell his/her gender?
e-mail me a graceeasler@ymail.com
wow my bunny get off its leash but when i read this it walks like a trained dog!
thank you thankyou soooo much
We took are lovely bunny for its's first walk in the park today, it was quite good, although occasionaly he became quite stubborn and just lay down. Is there anyway we could train him out of this or is it all just a matter of time? Thanks
hi im getting two bunnies sould i walk them after a few weeks then walk them,do it striaght when i get them,or wait untill they are older?oh ya they are baby Holland lops and they are three weeks old!
Hi I have a rabbit and I enjoy him soooo uch people call us inseprable!!
How do u teel the gender let me know
Luvabug88@gmail.com
My bunny is male and his name is Pancakes. S far he is taking a very good liking to me. Whenever I pick him up..he doesn't squirm, but he does when others pick him up. When should I start walking w/him? Where can I take him?
My bunny, Percy, won't let me pick her up. Every time I pick her up she starts to spazz and she wrigles out of my hands. So i can't even try to start to train her how to walk on a leash.
OMG. Im getting a holland lop(boy), and i want to walk him on a leash but im new to the whole bunny. And like, he is a junior. Like a Babby. and Should i wait a while before i put him on his leash? LIke a week??
When i walk my rabbit she is very scared of the cars that come passed our house. When this happens, she will not move and become frightened, so, what i want to know is will she ever get over her fear? And i know that u should give your rabbit treats when walking, but what treats could u offer? Healthy options if possible? And ur advice is very helpful by the way, thanks! :)
my rabbits name is aj and wen i put his leash on him he squirmes alot so wat do i do???
love,shienel
Well im getting a 10-11 lb bunnie!! And i wanted to take it on walks to relive some of its engery....and when i get him tomorow, i'll use these as a guide line ^.^
Um maybe you should be letting your bunnies type. your grammar offends. all of you.
Um maybe you should be letting your bunnies type. your grammar offends. all of you.
Hi, Im having serious problems with my two Lops Poppy and Jasmin, Poppy had a litter of 4 when I got her in Aug last year from a place that called themselves a rescue centre and at the time I didnt even know she was pregnant! She was brilliant at first and I could let her roam the house and she would poop in her cage in one area and I didnt have to worry about her at all, althought she wasnt too keen on getting picked up. Then when the littler came along she behaved very strangly, I read alot about how to look after the litter and also to look after poppy. The litter went after 8 weeks and I kept one of the babies (jasmin) myslef. From then on Poppy poops and wees everywhere, and so does Jasmin, they are very messy, they distroy everything in their sight and im really with my whits end! Poppy keeps getting on Jasmins back and humping her, I mean all the time!!! poor Jasmin whimpers, during the humping and even after when I pull poppy off her... I really dont know what to do for the best. Neither of the them has been Spayed, one of the reasons is due to money shortage because I only expected one rabbit not two, and before I knoew it Poppy had already had 4 babies!! Do you think that getting them spayed would help?? If anyone has any good ideas or helpful hints please can you email me on beverley.roberts@tarsc.net .... Thanks!
I CAN'T WAIT to do this! I LOVE bunnies! This is TOO TOO CUTE.
hi
i havent got a bunny yet
but i will start training a soon as i get one my dad says yes but my mum says
no how do you rekon i can convince her to say yes i have tol dher that there not that much work but she still says no
please hELP ME OUT
THX
GG
I am getting a bunny.. and its a dutch x lop or something... well, its 9 weeks old and i havent really bonded with it yet. How long shall i wait until I take her 4 a walk? p.s is it true that males are more vicious than females?? thanks
for gg: I would suggest showing her how independent you are and show her that you put a lot of work into getting research for how to train one. Plus how much you want one. Tell your mom all about bunnies.
For Carolyn: get you dutch a lot of toys and special treats only for her/him. Bond with the dutch too so she/he knows you love her/him.
Thanks! This has helped so much. My bunny is just about 1 mounth old, but loves to be outdoors! My bunny loves her cage and can be queit clumsy and squrmy. I don't know why. This has helped alot
-Abby
i
I am such a beast crazy person!
Hello everyone, I purchased my first rabbit from a breeder at 8 weeks old, He is neutered buck named Pretty Boy, I have had him for 6 months now and I absolutely love him!!!!!, bonding was very slow at first because he was kept in a garage and didn’t have much people contact. it took two months for him to warm up to me, he was a real skittish little guy. Now however he is awesome! Shows me allot of love with kisses and follow me around his bunny proofed room wherever I go. Everything seems to be great he purrs when I pet him and buzzes a love song to me about 2 a week. I feel we have a great bond. However I can not seem to get him comfortable with being held I have researched how to hold rabbits and I feel I am doing everything right, I fear I made a mistake with him as a baby in not holding him unless I had to. I read that you should not hold your rabbit until u establish trust and bond with your rabbit and he was such a skittish frightened baby I didn’t want to set back the bonding by holding him so I never held him!. Now that we have established a bond I have began holding him or trying to once a day he normally struggles or sits there with his ears back. When I put him down he thumps his foot at me and with a foot flick, off he goes lol, thankfully he forgives or forgets fast and is back to following me around. I would really like to be able to hold my rabbit. I want him to trust me and feel comfortable in my arms so I can examine him and eventually be able to take him outside. Right now I feel I don’t have enough control over him in my arms to do anything but hold him there safely. There is no way I could feel him in my arms or even put him in a harness, it scares me because he is getting so big so fast he is turning into a little man, and is very strong! Already. Any suggestions on what I could be doing wrong or how I can make him at least tolerate me holding him I am exhausted trying to figure it out and asking rabbit experts that just don’t answer my questions.
I also just got my second rabbit a week ago doe named Precious who is only 8 weeks old, she however is so opposite to my lil man pretty boy. She is not shy at all and is very active she hoped into my lap the second day of having her and runs up to me when I am on the floor to sniff me already. It took months for pretty boy to even approach me I spent 4 hours a day lol I know get a life eh, on the floor just waiting for him to want something to do with me. He still does not hop into me lap he gets as far as his two front paws on my leg and then sits next to me. She however is very squirmy in my arms as well and when I hold her firmly in my arms so she does not hurt herself and she sometimes makes a squeak, which scares me I do not want to frightened her. And I know I am not hurting her. I would really appreciate your advice, on weather I should do the same bonding technique I did with pretty boy before I start picking her up or if that was my downfall with him, and should I be handling her already?
Thanks so much for your time and help, Rachelle Pretty Boy and Precious.
Great hub. This is really interesting!
Can u walk pregnant bunnies or can it hurt the babies?
my bunnies only let me pick them up when they are really calm and not hyper. what do i do to make me able to carry them in any state they are in?
it would really help thanks,
marie =]
My rabbit Cole walks great on a harness. I've had him since he was 5 weeks old but i got him from a relative so i was able to see him every 1-2 weeks since he was born but mind you he never squirms when i hold him and when you are taking him on a harness he listens to what you're saying and if you say to him "turn" he turns round,etc. He is a very , very good natured mind you and he usually always licks you.lol He is my pride and joy. He is just the best EVER. Oh! By the way as soon as i put the harness on him he just started walking about with no fuss at all!!!!!!!!
i just cant wait to let my bunney run around!! he is a mini rex and his fur feels like velvet!
i got a bunny about two weeks ago and i got it a leash and harness (was i being a bit too hasty?) i did nt walk it thought it didnt fit and only my dad carries her cause me my mom and my sister are afraid to because we think we are going to drop her... so my question is when should i let her roam a round and go out for walks and how do you bond with a bunny i mean i hand feed her some times and pet her and she alredy sniffes me and comes up to me so when should i try to pick her up and take out for walks please email me at cetchunjang@yahoo.ca
I was wondering what is too tight or too loose for the bunny. i dont want her to get out of it, but i dont want it to be hurting her.
hi everyone, my birthday is comin up and m mom says i might be getin a bunny for my birthday. i saw a bunny in lockport and i fell in love
my little sisters minilop is slightly mad she jamp out of her tall hutch i didnt want her to jump of the balcony so i grabbed her and put her back in her hutch i strocked her till she calmed down how do i stop her from jumping out
I like rabbit very much. I think this is great advice. thank for share.
is it ok i have the bunny in side (in a cage too)?
How can i ask my parents for a rabbit
Getting the rabbit used to being on a leash (once you get that far!) and restrictions of it can be done by first teaching the rabbit how to give to pressure. This is always first done indoors and in a confined area where you can keep up with the bunny and it can't go anywhere where you cant.Pressure training is done by going some distance from the rabbit and applying Slight and I mean SLIGHT pressure on the leash. Be ready to reward the bunny for any movement toward you (=away form the pressure) by releasing the pressure completely for a 4-5seconds. When the bunny takes a step or several, so that the leash becomes loose naturally, reward it with a food treat. Depending on the bunny, you might first need to release the pressure just for any movement and then later be more specific. Also with some bunnies, it is a better idea to start this by being on the ground level and later proceed to standing and applying the pressure. Always be gentle and if the bunny struggles do not try to keep it close and never aply more pressure as punishment for anything. If the rabbit seems indefferent to the pressure, you can "wiggle" the leah a little every now and then to remind him of the pressure. If the rabbit gets terrified and panics while applying the pressure keep a break (if it does it all the time and you are not applying too much pressure, pressure training is not for you and more trust training is in called for).
When I first start training a rabbit, and it moves, I will consistently repeat the words "stop" and "go" when the bunny moves and stops. All the raabits so far have learnt the word after about a month this way. These simple commands and the fact that the rabbit konows what to do when I apply pressure on the leash have given me much more control at the walks, and this means safer walks!
can you put steps on how to put a rabbit on a leash,like step
1.
2.
3.
Thanks Bunzie and JoJo your advise sounds great and i would like to try it. I am definately going to have her get used to it in the house first, then our yard, then maybe the park (i'll have to check with maintenance about if they use pesticides on the grass)I hope that she likes it. It's now fall almost winter and i live in New England so I'll wait till spring to try I'll let you know then.
Krista 07 says:
2 years ago
This has helped alot. Thank you so much just 1 question how many bunnies do you have?