Can Rabbits Be Leash-Trained Like Dogs?
Rabbit leash training requires patience, positive reinforcement and a properly fitted harness to keep the animal comfortable and safe.
But one organization has attracted attention for training pet rabbits to fetch thrown toys like dogs and even use a litter box.
Nancy LaRoche of the House Rabbit Society (HRS), a rabbit welfare organization in Colorado, U.S., said, “Leash-training a rabbit does not simply mean having it hop alongside its owner. It means following behind the rabbit wherever it wants to go, letting it run around in a large space or navigate an obstacle course, and keeping it from getting hurt.”
It is fortunate if a rabbit readily accepts training to walk on a leash, but if it is afraid, the owner should be patient and observe the rabbit, even if the process takes a long time.
As prey animals hunted by predators, rabbits are instinctively always cautious in order to survive, so it is natural for them to fear trying something new. The rabbit itself must be comfortable with the training and not feel anxious.
Animal training and behavior consultant Barbara Heidenreich advised, “Leash training should be conducted with positive reinforcement,” adding, “A desired reward should be provided each time the rabbit completes a step in the training.”
Meanwhile, LaRoche recommended using a leash that attaches to the back of a harness. A harness wraps around the rabbit’s body, helping it feel comfortable and preventing accidents that could occur if it tries to escape. She explained, “Because the force is distributed across different parts of the body, it can safely restrain a rabbit that tries to run away.”
[FamTimes = Reporter Kang Gyu-jeong]
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