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Forum BEHAVIOR Foiled – Tinfoil / sofa peeing issues.

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    • TamarizRabbit
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        Today…another weeing on the sofa incident! I’m going nuts! I blocked it off and everything with laundry basket as suggested here and somehow she managed to get underneath them and pee and poo EVERYWHERE on the sofa.

        The sofa is in my study where her hutch is and up until today she’s had full run of this room whilst I’ve been at work and the whole house when I’m in. I really don’t want to pen her up all day bit I can’t see i’ve got much of an option if this keeps going on. Has anyone got any ideas of how to train her not to get on the sofa so she can be out and about…?!??

         

        When I shut her in whilst I cleaned the sofa she stamped and chewed the bars for a full half hour. Properly pissed off rabbit and pissed off human. Please tell me there is a solution?!?!?

         

        x


      • Stickerbunny
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          Block her off from getting onto the sofa. You can’t use something she can move, or just pile stuff on top of it. Use a NIC grid, or a x-pen or something that is solid and one piece without a way around to block the sofa off completely. For additional security, you can put something scary on the sofa (something that makes a lot of noise when she gets on it and will spook her off) in case she manages a way past it. Bunny proofing is all about trial and error. They are very good at getting past barriers we *think* they can’t.


        • LBJ10
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            Plastic! Have you tried a shower curtain?


          • TamarizRabbit
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              I can cover it in plastic more easily than I can block it off I think but this is a pretty ugly solution in a main room of the house. This is fine if I know it’s temporary. Does anyone know if she’s put off by the plastic and then I remove the plastic if she’ll still not do it?


            • Stickerbunny
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                It depends. The couch smells like human, so she wants it to smell like her. If she associates it with scary she might avoid it altogether, but she may not. You can work on training her that couch is off limits, but when you’re not home, she could very well decide to just ignore that training. It’s very common for rabbits to mark beds or sofas because of how strong the scent of human is on them.

                For easier clean up / to protect the couch you could get one of the child/pet couch covers that are waterproof, so at least you don’t get stains on the sofa while you’re trying to figure something out about either training or blocking it off.


              • TamarizRabbit
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                  Tell me more about scary…


                • Eepster
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                    Posted By TamarizRabbit on 06/10/2013 02:32 PM
                    I can cover it in plastic more easily than I can block it off I think but this is a pretty ugly solution in a main room of the house. This is fine if I know it’s temporary. Does anyone know if she’s put off by the plastic and then I remove the plastic if she’ll still not do it?

                    I’m not sure about plastic and bunnies, but it did with tin foil and cats.  Our cat always peed in a particular corner of the dinning room.  After cleaning it for the millionth time, we covered the area in tin foil, which the cat hated and would not set paw on.  We left it for a week or two (this was ages ago, so my memory of the details is foggy,) and once it was removed he left it alone completely till the day he died.   


                  • Stickerbunny
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                      Posted By TamarizRabbit on 06/10/2013 02:41 PM
                      Tell me more about scary…

                       

                      Scary, something she is afraid of. For my buns, when they say chew on something that they shouldn’t I can cover it with something that makes a sudden loud noise when they touch it and it makes them leave the area alone for example. IE: My cabinets were chew toys so I put the paper like they use in packing boxes (the brown rustly type) and attached it so when they went to chew, it made a loud paper crunching noise. They haven’t touched my cabinets since.


                    • Beka27
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                        I agree about the tin foil. If the rabbit jumps up on the couch and lands on something loud and crinkly, that might solve the problem.


                      • Beka27
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                          I locked your previous threads “Re Training Required?” and “Argh!  My Sofa!”

                          In the future, please keep updates on the same topic/issue to one thread. This makes it easier for members to follow along with the background, what was suggested, what you tried, etc… This way you aren’t getting the same posts two or three times with people saying, “Have you tried this, Have you tried that?”

                           

                          Also, you can go in and edit your original post to change the thread subject…

                          Your first subject might be “Peeing on Sofa”, you can edit that to “UPDATE: Peeing on Sofa” or “STILL Peeing on Sofa (Update)”

                          This way members see at a glance that there is something new in there and they should read the post again for new developments…


                        • TamarizRabbit
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                            Apologies. I have never really used forums before but thank goodness for this one…it’s keeping me sane!
                            So last night once she’d stopped thumping and chewing the bars in a strop because I shut her away after the peeing she was allowed out and immediately came and sat on my for cuddles for like 15 mins. This is the first time she’s wanted cuddles on a knee. It’s like she knew she needed to suck up! But nevertheless I had to shut her in today whilst at work and I felt awful. She’s been really subdued this evening whilst she’s been out and about. I have ordered some plastic covers for sofa in the hope that I can train her off it / to respect that it’s mine but we’ll see. I don’t really have any idea how to do this. Keep the ideas coming please!

                            In answer to Move diagonally’s question in the other thread, she has one big litter box in that room which is in her hutch. She uses this perfectly except for the sofa issue. I should also add that she has never yet peed on the sofa whilst I’ve been in the room or even the house. She waits until I go out…sneaky beast! I love her but this particular issue is rather testing my patience. Thank you all for keeping my head screwed on!

                            x


                          • TamarizRabbit
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                              Loving the tinfoil idea! Thanks, will def try that!

                              Also…with the blocking off thing. I’m not convinced x pen will work as yesterday she managed to jump from floor to desk with no level in between and eat a candle on the window sill!!!! She seems to be an olympic bunny when it comes to jumping. Again..not that I see this. It’s always when I’m out.


                            • Stickerbunny
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                                Just be careful with tin foil that she isn’t trying to chew / ingest it. Some rabbits find it attractive, so supervise her around it before you try leaving her home alone with it (one user on another rabbit forum had a bunny steal an entire sheet from their kid and run off with it to munch it). I prefer the paper, because if my buns decide to take a bite, it’s just paper no harm done and it’s still crinkly. As for the x-pen yeah they can jump high – that is why you need an x-pen of I believe it’s 36″ at the least.

                                Some members have also had success in training them to use a litter box by putting one on the sofa and getting them to use it there, then moving it to beside the sofa.


                              • TamarizRabbit
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                                  Good knowledge. Will try both and see what happens. Off to the shops for me!
                                  Poor thing was very subdued tonight and I don’t want her to lose her confidence and not enjoy being with us but she has to stop peeing on the sofa! Thanks so much everyone.


                                • Stickerbunny
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                                    She’s probably just pouting. My rabbits do that if they don’t get to run around as much as they thought, though they get over it after a few days.

                                    http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Kraft-Roll-100-PAC66011/dp/B001AZ9RJY/ref=lp_12898141_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1370985520&sr=1-6 <— that's the kind of paper I use


                                  • NewBunnyOwner123
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                                      For the paper trick, be careful because that might actually ATTRACT the bunny too. Sally was chewing on my carpet and I put some paper over the carpet and now she just shreds the paper instead of the carpet (sometimes). Some bunnies actually ENJOY the sound and texture of paper. So this trick just depends on the bunny itself

                                      Please keep us updated on that tin foil idea! I’m very curious to see if it would work! Sounds promising!


                                    • Stickerbunny
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                                        Yeah, some bunnies are adventurous and the sound of crinkly stuff doesn’t scare them. And some are just fearless and it’s hard to find anything to scare them. Mine like newspaper / printing paper, but hate the packing paper.

                                        Could also get something like… http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Waves-Electronics-PIRSOUND-Motion-activated/dp/B00B8XRNX0 on the couch with a sound that’d spook her when she jumps up on it.


                                      • TamarizRabbit
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                                          I am about to plastic wrap and tin foil the sofa…will keep you posted. If it doesn’t work I’m definitely buying one of those motion sensor things! Thank you!

                                          Now just got to apple spray the colouring pencils on my desk as she seems to have nibbled them in my absence too!

                                          Thanks so much everyone!


                                        • TamarizRabbit
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                                            So…covered the sofa in plastic sheeting and a layer of tinfoil having throughly laundered the sofa covered and deep cleaned matrass with enzyme cleaner. Bunny allowed out for limited time this morning in the room and…peed and pooed all over the tinfoil! More ideas please?!
                                            I’m at a loss!


                                          • Sarita
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                                              My suggestion is to keep him out of that area for now – he is about the right age to be neutered as well. It seems like that will be the only way for this behavior to stop – there isn’t going to be a magic solution other than that at this point.


                                            • TamarizRabbit
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                                                She is neutered! She didn’t do it before she was neutered! She’s now two weeks post op.

                                                I can’t keep her out of the area as it’s the only room we can close the door and let her run around when at work so it’s the cage for several hours a day if I can’t work this out.


                                              • Beka27
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                                                  Hmm. It does sound like she will need to be penned when you are out and at night then if deterrents have no effect on her.

                                                  Not all rabbits can be 100% 24/7 free range. It’s not anything you’re doing wrong, that’s just the way it is. If she is young still (under 12-18 months), there is still hope that she will eventually grow out of this behavior. Right now tho, I agree that penning her (in a large space) when you’re not around is the best (only?) solution.

                                                  What is her cage like? Can you attach an xpen for her confined hours, or is she already housed in an xpen?


                                                • NewBunnyOwner123
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                                                    I didn’t realize she is still recently neutered. Limit her freedom to give it some time for the hormones to disappear. It takes them about 4 weeks for a bun to calm down after a spay. Harley actually got WORSE post neuter for a few weeks. Right around the 4 week mark he calmed back down to his old self. You don’t want her developing a habit while she is going through menopause :p So just limit the freedom for now.


                                                  • Sarita
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                                                      Definitely do an x-pen for her – many rabbits – especially young ones – just aren’t ready for free roaming. Especially not 2 weeks post spay – too soon and she’s too young and it’s just obvious she’s not ready.

                                                      All the free rangers I’ve had including my current one have been well past a year old before I would even consider free range – partly for behavior reasons (not mature enough) and safety reasons. So take your time making before you allow her to free roam – it will happen when she’s older.


                                                    • TamarizRabbit
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                                                        Maybe I’ve been too impatient. Can I just clarify what you mean by free roaming? Should I pen her in whilst at work and whole house when we’re in? Or do you mean keep in small room / area until she seems ready. How will I know this? She’s very good around the house when we’re in.


                                                      • Sarita
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                                                          I would pen her while you are at work for sure – she’s not ready for full freedom. If you are home and she is using her litter box well and not peeing on the couch then you could allow her free roam when you are home – if she’s not ready for that then allow her into a small portion of your home with a litter box readily available and without a couch or chair that she can pee on.

                                                          When I think free roam, I think free roam all over the house – I only allow this with my rabbit Bobby – he’s very good at using his litter box and he doesn’t pee on my couch – he doesn’t even jump on my couch just on an ottoman to be petted but he never pee’s on there.

                                                          You will know she is ready really only when and if she stops the peeing on the couch behavior and there is no way for anyone to give you a time frame for this but usually an older rabbit over a year old is probably more LIKELY to be trusted out and about unsupervised. That’s not all rabbits though – some just can never be trusted out and about on their own for various reasons (like bad litter habits, chewing, digging)…it truly depends on the rabbit.


                                                        • NewBunnyOwner123
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                                                            To put her in her cage when you are gone. Let her out when you are there. It’s the safest thing to do until she matures a little bit. My buns are 7+ months old and I still can’t trust them free roam yet. You need to wait until they aren’t as mischievous. It’s just safer that way anyway. If you are consistent with penning her when you are away and letting her out when you are home, she WILL adjust. She will probably just nap while you are gone anyways.


                                                          • Stickerbunny
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                                                              Ahh, yeah recently altered rabbits have a hormonal surge. Her marking behavior will increase for up to four weeks after that. And now it’s a habit, so she isn’t likely to stop when hormones go away.

                                                              As for free roam – my Stickers is 2 years and I can’t trust her free roam, she’s too destructive. Powder is approaching six now and I can trust him, he’s a perfect gentleman.


                                                            • TamarizRabbit
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                                                                Ok. Will go back to putting her in the hutch when at work and out and about when we’re in. Hopefully she can be let free roam in one room before too long as we are out at work quite long hours. Will try to be patient though and am at home almost all of July and August so hopefully we’ll get her really good for September and beyond. This bunny training business is a lot harder than I’d imagined!

                                                                Thanks so much all for your input.
                                                                x


                                                              • Stickerbunny
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                                                                  If you’re worried about her being in a hutch (which I assume is pretty small and doesn’t allow exercise?) you can attach an x-pen 36-42″ to the hutch and make a run area for her that you can totally bunny proof while you’re at work.


                                                                • TamarizRabbit
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                                                                    The study isn’t big enough for an xpen…hence the idea to let her roam in just that room whilst we were at work. Took me AGES to bunny proof all the wires! The hutch is probably ok for now (she can do quite a few hops across and stand up and everything) whilst she’s still quite small but if she can’t be trusted in the room after a while I’ll have to rethink but really not sure what we’ll do!

                                                                    I have now put the plastic cover at an angle on the sofa so she can’t jump up there. So far so good this evening but we’ll see. I’m hoping if we leave that on there long enough she’ll finally work out that’s an out of bounds area but will still pen her when at work for now.

                                                                    It’s all a bit demoralising but we do love her. She’s so calm and likes to sit by us for ages for nose and cheek rubs. She’s not very mischievous (so far!) in any other way. She’s very calm. I’m a bit worried about the lack of bunny 500s or binkies but not sure if this should be a cause for concern?

                                                                    Anyway, hopefully it all come good with time. I’m sure I’m turning into a paranoid whinge bag on here but genuinely really grateful. It’s really helpful to compare stories and feel like I’m not entirely doing the wrong thing!

                                                                    x


                                                                  • NewBunnyOwner123
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                                                                      It really all is trial and error when it comes to this kind of stuff. What may work for one won’t work for another. Our buns sure do teach us how to get creative sometimes!


                                                                    • TamarizRabbit
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                                                                        Thanks.

                                                                        What kind of bunny is the all brown one on the left of your picture? Ours has ears like that but we’re not sure what kind she is. Probably a cross breed.


                                                                      • NewBunnyOwner123
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                                                                          A lot of buns have erect ears. My bunny, Harley, is a full breed Harlequin rabbit. If you post pics in another topic everyone loves a good guessing game!


                                                                        • TamarizRabbit
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                                                                            Good idea!


                                                                          • Eepster
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                                                                              Let me clarify about the tin foil, I used it with a cat. Cats don’t chew stuff so it was totally safe, bunnies are chewers though. I was just trying to say that something unpleasant enough can have a life long effect on peeing even if it is only used short term. I would use something bunny safe, not tinfoil unless you were supervising.


                                                                            • TamarizRabbit
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                                                                                Thanks Eepster. She didn’t chew it but she did pee all over it regardless! We now have plastic sheeting sloped so that she can’t jump onto the sofa at all. We’ll see…

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                                                                            Forum BEHAVIOR Foiled – Tinfoil / sofa peeing issues.