Training Question!

[MagicStar]

Okay, I posted this on the Rabbit-Hopping Yahoo group, but I figured I would also post it here for everyone else too. With all the answers I get from this, then I'm hoping to make a really nice etiquette training guide!

So here is the problem:

I have some questions on training!!!!

How do I train my buck to -want- to hop more efficiently!? I mean, he
knows that he has to jump, but sometime he takes forever just to jump
a jump, and he doesn't jump it with a lot of enthusiasm or anything.

I'd really like ALL tips, advice, ANYTHING! I totally have to retrain
my boy a different way so that he is more eager to jump! I also want
him to learn to jump from about 6 inches away, because he always has
to be right before the jump, and then it's harder for him to clear
it, etc.

The way he's used to being handled, is me right behind him, and I'll
guide him...he doesn't really understand voice commands...how do I do
this?
He knows directionals, which is great! He can back up, go forward,
turn right, turn left, all with a slight tug on the leash - nothing
horrible, just a pin-cushion pull.

This boy does NOT take treats/food unless he wants to, and that's
ONLY in his cage.

What about target training? I have a clicker, do you think clicker
training him would work? Once again, I can't reward with treats, but
I can reward with pats/praises, etc.
Basically ALL, ANY training guides, information, etc. will work!

if you have questions for me, that will give you better information
so you can give better advice, shoot them at me! I'll be on here each
day.

Thank You!

Emily

[MIKOLI. =)]

I heard clicker training works wonders when done correctly. I've never tried it, though. I don't really have too many pointers for you as of now, except maybe completely cut out all jumps over 30cm, and just set up one small jump in a play space, and see if he will jump it by himself. I find what works is if you completely stop hopping, and simply work on your bond with each other. Everyone goes "Oh, but me and my rabbits are already bonded!". No. You can always understand more.

Rachel.

[abjerner]

Hello Emily
It is not easy to advice you over the computer. If you were here it was easier.
Maybe you should go back to train easy class (25 cm) till he goes fluently through the course.
You have to think of all elements that can help him.
What kind of harness do you have? Some rabbits are particular about their harness. They won’t hop if the harness doesn’t fit them.
I also think it would be a good idea to harness train your rabbit a lot. Take some walks with him in your garden and if you don't have any garden then in your flat. Let him walk around and stay behind him but not just behind him. Walk about 50 cm behind him.
Because of the myxomatosis time here I didn’t train my rabbit kit much outdoor in harness and now it rebound on me, because he just doesn’t want to go forward. I harness train him in my garden just to walk. The adult rabbits haven’t forgotten how to hop even when we didn’t hop for nearly 4 month.
If your rabbit won’t go forward you also can tip him in his behind or tickle him in the sides.
We never use clicker or treat here, but we praise the rabbits if they do their best. Remember to praise your rabbit when hopping –even if they tear down.
I hope this helps you. If not, you are welcome to write back to me.
Greetings Aase Bjerner

[MagicStar]

Thanks Aase.
The harness I have is a vest harness, like an H -harness but with mesh, etc. I do walk Magic quite often in my yard and my friends and relatives walk him sometimes too, whilst I'm watching to make sure it's done correctly

He does go forward to a certain point....like straight after landing he heads to the next one, but he just doesn't jump it right away, so yes I do give him a little tap on the butt with my hand an I encourage him to jump, but he's picky!

Emily

P.S. This weekend I took him out for an hour, and I kept the jumps low, with the highest being 15 inches. He was doing really good, he actually was excited to hop and he took the course several times without much encouragement. He took new jumps much more betterly than he used to! (Like in the past, after he hopped a jump, I would switch it to another combination and he would refuse it for a little because he thought it was "scary".) but now he's getting better.

He broke his new long jump record as well.

Emily

Any more questions?