While verbal corrections and being placed in a “time-out” generally work well on rabbits, be careful about trying any sort of physical discipline, LaRoche warns. “People sometimes tap rabbits on their noses,” she says. “But rabbits are so delicate, I'd never do that.
Rabbits tend to do whatever they want and sometimes just won't listen (much like cats), so sometimes they need to be reminded how to behave! Keep in mind that there is no need to punish your rabbit, but help steer him in the right direction with discipline.
Rabbits will know if they have done something wrong during play if they are immediately put back into solitary, for example. Some owners also use spray bottles (see below) for small misdemeanors like a bite.
Clapping also seems to work to stop bad behaviors most of the time. we sometimes squirt them with a spray bottle of water. they hate this, so it usually works!
Rabbits can be trained, but it's important to remember that positive reinforcement is the way to go! Negative reinforcement will begin to break the trust you have built with your rabbit.
An example of this would be squirting your bunny for chewing something inappropriate. Negative punishment is REMOVING something GOOD to decrease or punish a behavior. An example of this would be removing your attention or ignoring your rabbit when they are incessantly begging for a treat.
When a rabbit nibbles or bites you softly it is often accompanied with licking, which is a sign of love. He is trying to groom you and is simulating the grooming process (however, you have no fur to build up knots in so it results in just a little nibble of the skin).
Depending on the severity of the offence, a rabbit can hold a grudge from hours to several days. Sometimes, a simple stroke on the forehead or an apologetic treat can remedy a miffed bunny, but if your rabbit is truly offended, they can sulk for quite some time!
Giving a loud “Ouch” or “Eek” can help your rabbit understand their behavior was bad. If they are nipping you to tell you to move or go away, you can continue to hang around a little longer so the rabbit will learn that the behavior won't get them what they want.
Never shout at or punish rabbits, they are very unlikely to understand and can become more nervous/scared.
Remember: Yes, bunnies can get mad. And a mad bunny can grunt, box, and, in a few circumstances, bite. No matter how badly your bunny behaves, it is never a good idea to try to physically discipline your rabbit. Not only does it not work -- it can kill your rabbit.
Never shout at or punish your rabbit. It is unlikely to understand and can become more nervous or scared.
Watch for aggressive behaviors: tail up, ears back, growling, boxing, circling, chasing and biting. If one of these behavior occurs several times in a row; if neither rabbit backs down; if it leads to further aggressive behaviors, it should be interrupted.
Bonded rabbits can also break their bond. This can happen if they've been separated, for example if one bunny needs to spend a few days at the vet. It can also happen if you move house, move or change your rabbit enclosure, or upset the hierarchy by introducing new rabbits.
Common actions between rabbits in a bonding session can include: chasing, nipping, swatting, spraying or mounting. Flattened ears or a lifted tail are both signs of impending attack. Beware of nipping on the nose or ears of the rabbits.
If you have a single rabbit, it's never too late for them to bond with another rabbit.
Rabbits like to play and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. Ideally you want to provide them with up to 4 hours daily of supervised time out of their cage. Rabbits are subject to depression and poor health if they're not provided with daily interaction and mental stimulation.
To keep your rabbit happy and healthy, let it out of its cage at least once a day, giving it time to roam. Though at least one hour is necessary, aim closer to three or four. As a rule, never keep your rabbit cooped up for 24 hours at a time.
Grunting: Grunting noises are angry reactions towards another rabbit or a person and should be heeded as a warning to back off; otherwise the rabbit might escalate by scratching or biting. Rabbits grunt when they feel threatened or territorial. Thumping: Thumping is an attention getting behavior.
Pay attention to the pecking order.
Give the dominant rabbit their treats first and give them their first choice of toys. You can provide equal treatment to the second rabbit, but you do want to pay attention to who gets stuff first.
Why do my rabbits seem to ignore me? Rabbits are a prey species so they instinctively avoid drawing attention to themselves. The mistake many first-time rabbit owners make is to impose themselves on their pets – to a rabbit, even a hand reaching overhead can feel like a predator approaching.