Refusing the Water Jump!?

[MagicStar]

Ok.....I took Magic out for some training about 1 1/2 weeks ago. I was planning on getting him back into shape before the upcoming rabbit hopping show I'm hosting in February, as well as I thought I would be demonstrating rabbit hopping at my next 4-H meeting, but sadly this fell through, but I'm looking for a way to get it back up. Anyhow, I set up a multi-jump course. I had a blanket jump (new!), a lot of straight bars/cross bars, and a water jump. Magic was doing great over all the jumps, (except he pulled the blanket jump down, it was secured enough), but he just wouldn't jump the water jump!

He knew the water was there (in between two low fences (maybe 6 inches?) but he just would go to the first bar look and back off. How can I get him to gain confidence that water jumps aren't going to hurt him? He doesn't eat treats unless he's "in the mood" or "in his cage" so what should I do? I do have a doggy clicker training thing, but I have NO idea whatsoever how it actually can train them. It seems whenever I use a clicker (the right way) I get no results, over a multiple day-period. Anyhow, how can I get him to jump the water jumps? Thanks!

Emily

[abjerner]

Hello Emily
When we train our rabbits for the water pit, we sometimes put one or two bars upon the water pit, so that the rabbits have to jump both the water pit and the bars. Normally it helps the rabbits to understand what we want from them and they have no fear. When they have jumped the water pit many times, we take away the bars.
We do neither use clicker nor treats when we train but we praise the rabbits a lot.

Aase Bjerner, Rabbit hopper, coach and judge, denmark

[MIKOLI. =)]

Hi Emily,

Rather than simply facing him with something frightening to him, perhaps you should get him used to it. Next time you have a free day when it is a bit warm, introduce the water pit to him, not as a jump, but as an object. Get him used to it, and let him sniff around and maybe get his paws wet if it's a warm enough day and you have towels on hand. Try to get him to hop through the water jump, if he will tolerate the water, and generally just give him a day off and get his confidence up.

Then, the next time you have a training session, do as Aase said, and put a few bars over the pit, or set up a small jump behind it, or behind and in front of it (if you only set up the jump in front of it, he will most likely jump the jump and land in the water), and just get him used to it gradually. My bun, Ollie, is very neutral about water. With water jumps, he will jump them alright, but won't seem to like him, but has still jumped into my sister's fish and yabbie (little lobster things) pond on many occasions.

Rachel.

[MagicStar]

Thanks Aase and Rachel! I really think your tips will work! I'll have to try that the next time I train him.

Rachel, I need some help on building up his confidence on jumping in particular. What are some good exercises, do you think, that are especially good for a stubborn bunny?

Thanks Aase! Your info was very good.
When i first put the jump down, there was a bar both in front and behind the water pit, but I guess he didn't realize it? Next time I'll assemble it so that the water jump is -under- the bars though, thanks! I think I will do a confidence session (around/over/jumping jumps) and a water pit session this Sunday.

Emily

[MIKOLI. =)]

Hi Emily,

I think that he may be getting a little bored and frustrated with his current schedule, and may need a few tune up sessions. Rather than simply getting him active and then jump, jump, jump, try a nice confidence session. Play with him a bit, and get him following you around and such, then jump once every five minutes. Keep the jumps low, and relaxing things that he's comfortable with. Then, maybe add something low and new, like a water tray, and get him to hop over that.

Take a breather, and just relax for a while.

Rachel.

[MagicStar]

Thanks Rachel. I was wondering, for confidence, what do you think he needs to work on?

Emily