What Rabbit Training Really Is (And Why It Matters)
Think rabbit training is just about teaching tricks? Think again. Low stress training can turn everyday challenges—like getting a rabbit into a carrier or guiding them safely between rooms—into calm, stress-free interactions. It’s not about obedience; it’s about building trust, giving your rabbit agency, and making life easier for both of you.
A Foster Rabbit, A Couch, and A Target Stick
I remember the moment when rabbit training finally 'clicked' for me. My foster rabbit Bubble Gum escaped from his home base in my bedroom and absconded under the living room couch, a forbidden zone with multiple exposed electrical wires that he was surely tempted to chew. This area wasn't safe for him, and I needed to get him out of there immediately.
But how?
I didn't want to shove a broom under the couch and push him out. That felt forceful and scary. I was also afraid to reach my hands under there and grab him, knowing he had a history of biting, especially in small, enclosed spaces. I needed another option, fast.
In desperation, I grabbed my clicker, some treats, and my target stick. We were both still new to clicker training, and we had only had a few target training sessions together. I wasn't optimistic this would work, but I had to try.
I took my homemade target stick, a chopstick with a ping pong ball on the end, and held it so the ball end went under the couch. Moments later, I felt a nose bonk. I clicked, placed a treat under the couch, and heard crunching. I held the target just in front of the couch and waited. Could this work?
Moments later, Bubble Gum's head emerged, and he touched his nose to the target. I clicked and gave him a treat.
Bubble Gum paused, his big ears oriented towards me, watching me for my next move. I positioned the target farther from the couch, towards my open bedroom door. Bubble Gum rushed forward and rammed his head against the target. Click, treat.
I moved the stick closer to my bedroom door, shocked at his intensity and speed. It only took a few more nose bonks against the target until we returned to his rabbit-safe room.
Exhilarated at our success, I gushed praise and dropped a few treats on the floor. Suddenly, Bubble Gum erupted into binkies, leaping joyfully and shimmying mid-air, tossing his huge ears back and forth.
Problem solved. What could have been an adversarial interaction turned into a positive experience that built connection and trust. It was fun, fast, and easy for both of us. I finally saw how training could actually solve real problems with rabbits. But it had taken me years to get here.
I Used to Think Training Was Just for Dogs
For a long time, I didn't think training was relevant to rabbits. I knew about training for dogs, but I couldn't see how it applied to the challenges I faced rescuing rabbits. Training seemed like it was about obedience or tricks, not something that would solve real problems. Take picking up rabbits, for instance. Most rabbits don't enjoy being picked up, but some go full prey animal the moment they sense your intention, launching into evasive maneuvers that would make a gazelle proud. And if you do manage to catch them? They act like you've tried to murder them and avoid you for days afterward.
My rabbit training journey began in earnest when I saw videos of zookeepers incorporating training behaviors like targeting, stationing, and carrier training into their caretaking routines. These behaviors didn't look like the "tricks" that came to mind when I thought of animal training, especially dog training. I realized that training these behaviors could help me at home with my rabbits - moving them without picking them up, getting them into carriers for vet visits, and managing their care in ways that reduce stress and avoid conflict.
This porcupine demonstrates target training to move safely from one area to another and then into a carrier—without ever being picked up. These techniques reduce stress for the animal and give them choice and control. The same approach can be used at home with rabbits, helping them move calmly and voluntarily while keeping interactions positive.
In this video, a pig demonstrates protected-contact target training—a technique that allows animals who are fearful or have limited experience with humans to participate safely. Protected contact is especially useful for rabbits who are nervous around people, letting them learn and engage at their own pace without stress.
What Is Target Training?
Target training is when a rabbit voluntarily touches a body part—usually their nose—to a specific object (like a target stick) to earn a reward. It's simple, and most rabbits pick it up quickly.
Here’s a short clip of Latrice, my disabled French Lop, demonstrating basic target training. Notice how she’s choosing to participate and how little pressure is involved. This is what low stress, cooperative training looks like in real time.
Why Target Training Matters for Your Rabbit
Target training isn't just for emergencies like Bubble Gum's couch escape. It's practical for everyday situations and eliminates the need to pick rabbits up.
Some of the ways I use targeting:
Moving rabbits without handling them. When you need to move a rabbit from one location to another, targeting allows you to calmly guide them to a different area without picking them up, chasing, or herding them. For example, when you're vacuuming or deep cleaning, or when you need to return your rabbit to their enclosure at the end of playtime.
Getting rabbits to and from bonding spaces. I use targeting to get rabbits into bonding areas with less stress for everyone involved. Instead of picking them up (which many rabbits hate) or herding them (which can increase anxiety), they can follow the target on their own.
During bonding sessions or dates. You can use targeting to move one rabbit away from the other when one is uncomfortable and needs more space.
What I love most about target training is that it gives rabbits agency in their own lives. They're choosing to cooperate with you rather than being forced. Every time you use targeting instead of picking up, chasing, or herding your rabbit, you're showing them that interactions with you lead to good things, not scary things.
These opportunities for positive interactions are especially important for rabbits who are fearful or have a history of negative experiences with people.
Training has transformed how I work with rabbits and how I help my clients build stronger relationships with theirs. If you're struggling with bonding, behavior challenges, or just want to create more trust and cooperation with your rabbit, I'd love to help. Schedule a call with me to talk about how we can work together.