So, do you play logic games with your bunnies?

[Kat9055]

I have been reading all the posts on bunny approved (website) and I LOVE IT!

Their bunny has learned some unique ways to get treats using logic games. It makes sense. All bunny owners know rabbits are WAY smarter than the general population believes. My friends are always amazed when Barnaby does a trick (walk or hop in a circle on his hind legs for a treat like a banana piece or papaya vitamin), but I hadn’t realized that he is even smarter than I thought! (though I should have suspected because he is ALWAYS trying to steal my kleenex tissues no matter how I hide them and runs around with them)

Bunnies are able to recognize patterns (words or movements) better than most cats or dogs (which recognize inflection in your voice rather than words). I made some DIY toys after reading some tutorials on bunny approved and barnaby is loving them, so I thought I would share

I got an untreated box with a hinge and removed half the hinge, replacing it with a strong fabric strip. When I put a “treat” in the box, Barnaby runs over and grabs the fabric strip, lifting it to get his treat. I also have a box with a drawer which is the same idea. I ordered the brain cube, but I really wish they had stores that sold these games in the USA, there seems to be a TON in the EU.

They have lots of other cheap and easy DIY ideas which is especially great if your bun isn’t a cuddler, but still values quality time.

Anyone else have DIY or logic games they play with their buns?

[Deleted User]

The only thing I have managed to teach Henry (and even then I’m still in the process of success 2 months later) is for him to take a craisin from my lips, a bunny kiss (yes – I’m desperate for bunny love, sigh!). And words???? Um, I started with ‘NO’! But due to his quickness and my instant reaction, the NO has turned into a ‘very loud’ ‘UH AH’ (sorry, not sure if I translated that correctly? but I’m sure my neighbours can!) as I go crook at Henry. I’ve always marvelled at how some BBer’s have been able to interact with and teach their buns – I personally gave up on that dream long ago and am happy with my ‘craisin’ bunny kiss and my ‘uh ah’ when he’s getting into no good. Good for you Kat9055 (& no, I’m not jealous????) lol…. Cheers.

[Bam]

I’m trying with Yohio. He likes to gnaw and bite at the gate dividing the apt, and I know it’s because he’d like to be in the living-room. It’s sad, because he and Bam can’t be in the same room. The gnawing is annoying and I’ve had to shut him in the bedroom, which is super-sad. So now I’m trying to teach him gnawing is not allowed. He’s a very smart bunny. If I go to the gate and say NO; he will hop away. Then I praise him. And he turns and seems to listen.

I sometimes feel his potential isn’t being fulfilled. He’s such a clever little boy. I love reading about what you teach your buns, I will apply some of the ideas on Yohio.

[JG8]

George knows the word kiss or kisses. If I say George kisses he runs over and kisses me… its very sweet
I think rabbits are really smart! He’s even learnt how to open cupboards! I’ve found the word no isn’t working so if he’s doing something naughty I whistle and he knows its naughty and leaves the are hes in. Usually its biting my washing basket!

[Deleted User]

JG8 – free kisses! Yep, rub it in……. I have to ‘pay’ in craisin $!

[BubblesJo]

I’ve thought Chester tricks, he can stand up, walk on hind legs, jump over, touch and spin. He also recognizes his name and (sometimes) comes when called. And of course he knows what “din-din” and “banana” mean.

He does recognize patterns really well. He knows my routine to a T. I get home at a decent time I drop my stuff, turn on my computer and skype with my family. He’ll then hop on the couch when he hears the skype sound and gets petted (and gets some treats too) when I’m skyping

I want to get him a teach-and-treat kind of toy too. I feel like he’d love it, since he loves his treat ball.

[LongEaredLions]

I play a game with mine where I hide a treat under a colored cup, and then set two other cups by it. I rearrange the cups, they have to pick the colored one. I also use a treat ball and a dog toy similar to the teach-n-treat.

[FooFoosMommy2]

We sometime hid Foo’s treat and make her find them. She also knows “Up” (stands on hind legs) and sometimes “spin”. She knows kisses (will nose bump our faces). She reacts to so much of what we say in an appropriate way, I’m sure she knows the whole English language by now, lol.

[RabbitPam]

Bunnies like projects, and will return to one day after day to pick up where they’ve left off. Spockie had simulated building a burrow when I stuffed a comforter under my futon to block him from going under there. He just dug a tunnel.

Their favorite projects seem to be the ones they think of themselves, but many bunny toys are designed to engage those smart minds. One toy is a maze haven, because, like burrowing, they can wander through underground tunnels. What keeps them interested is when you take it apart and move the inside walls around, so the maze changes and they have to figure out something new.

When I say “gimme kiss” to Sammy, she brings her face over to mine and deigns to let me kiss her. Sometimes. If I’ve been good.

[Jessie1990]

There is a thread with a toys r us dog toy with 4 “doors”. Each one opens using a different mechanism. Moogle figured it out in one day, so now he comes out grabs each treat and goes about his business. He also trained ME to give him grooms before bed each night He grooms my forehead (licks the whole thing like crazy) and then I groom his (rub his forehead). Then I wash my face lol.

Ashe has no interest in the mind game toys… She would rather do physical tasks. She knows how to stand, spin, and fetch (sometimes… Work in progress). Both buns like to try to get to anywhere I block off, but I think that applies to most bunnies. I have a treat ball for each but that doesn’t last very long anymore

[DaisyBunz]

I don’t know if this is considered a logic game, but…hey!
Every time they are going to get their daily ration of pellets, I stand in the kitchen and ring a little bell. After several times of doing it, now they just run to me while I stand in the kitchen. I feel like a crazy cat lady as all four buns crowd around me, waiting for their bowls. XD
I’ve bought puzzle toys before, and these are often fun for them until the novelty wears off/they destroy or chew it.
My buns like routines, as most do. I have cuddle times with them, especially me senior, Min. At night while I watch TV or go online(like on the forums!! (: )I’ll curl up in bed and have grooming/petting time with a bunny or two.

I haven’t tried teaching them major tricks. I have “taught” them “kiss”, which was done by having a bowl of Craisins in my hand, and then one of them hops up and licks my chin until they get one. But that isn’t real training….LOL.

[Kat9055]

Posted By bam on 02/08/2014 01:54 AM

I’m trying with Yohio. He likes to gnaw and bite at the gate dividing the apt, and I know it’s because he’d like to be in the living-room. It’s sad, because he and Bam can’t be in the same room. The gnawing is annoying and I’ve had to shut him in the bedroom, which is super-sad. So now I’m trying to teach him gnawing is not allowed. He’s a very smart bunny. If I go to the gate and say NO; he will hop away. Then I praise him. And he turns and seems to listen.

I sometimes feel his potential isn’t being fulfilled. He’s such a clever little boy. I love reading about what you teach your buns, I will apply some of the ideas on Yohio.

I had a huge problem with Barnaby and cords. You may want to try a firm “no” and a short time out. If Barnaby goes to time out (a cage) it s the end of the world for him, so he very rarely chews on cords now!

[Kat9055]

Posted By BubblesJo on 02/08/2014 07:53 AM

I’ve thought Chester tricks, he can stand up, walk on hind legs, jump over, touch and spin. He also recognizes his name and (sometimes) comes when called. And of course he knows what “din-din” and “banana” mean.

He does recognize patterns really well. He knows my routine to a T. I get home at a decent time I drop my stuff, turn on my computer and skype with my family. He’ll then hop on the couch when he hears the skype sound and gets petted (and gets some treats too) when I’m skyping

I want to get him a teach-and-treat kind of toy too. I feel like he’d love it, since he loves his treat ball.

That’s so cute!! I want Barnaby to figure out the whole jumping for treats, he loves binkies, but not on command! He used to respond well to come when I wiggled my fingers and stopped being naughty when I whistled, but he has been a bit snobby lately, but he still loves “grooming” time where he gets pet and I get lots of bunny kisses  

[Kat9055]

Posted By RabbitPam on 02/08/2014 01:49 PM

Bunnies like projects, and will return to one day after day to pick up where they’ve left off. Spockie had simulated building a burrow when I stuffed a comforter under my futon to block him from going under there. He just dug a tunnel.

Their favorite projects seem to be the ones they think of themselves, but many bunny toys are designed to engage those smart minds. One toy is a maze haven, because, like burrowing, they can wander through underground tunnels. What keeps them interested is when you take it apart and move the inside walls around, so the maze changes and they have to figure out something new.

When I say “gimme kiss” to Sammy, she brings her face over to mine and deigns to let me kiss her. Sometimes. If I’ve been good.

What is a maze haven? That sounds awesome! I am loving these ideas!

[Bam]

Posted By DaisyBunz on 02/08/2014 05:14 PM

I haven’t tried teaching them major tricks. I have “taught” them “kiss”, which was done by having a bowl of Craisins in my hand, and then one of them hops up and licks my chin until they get one. But that isn’t real training….LOL.

But that is the essence of real training. It’s a classic example of positive reinforcement where the animal has to figure out what to do in order to get a desired reward.

I’d never dare try to stop Yohio from chewing cables with a command. He severs cords faster than lightning, when I’d say no, the cord would already have gone to cord-heaven =) I use cable covers.

I have done the time-out by shutting him in the bed-room. I just hate it because I don’t want him to be behind a closed door, alone in his bunny-world (my bedroom is a Bunny-World now, it’s full of tunnels, cartons, hidey-houses, fleece blankets and sherpa fleece, stuffed toys, apple-twigs and hay. Lots of hay.).

[Kat9055]

Posted By bam on 02/09/2014 02:39 AM

Posted By DaisyBunz on 02/08/2014 05:14 PM

I haven’t tried teaching them major tricks. I have “taught” them “kiss”, which was done by having a bowl of Craisins in my hand, and then one of them hops up and licks my chin until they get one. But that isn’t real training….LOL.

But that is the essence of real training. It’s a classic example of positive reinforcement where the animal has to figure out what to do in order to get a desired reward.

I’d never dare try to stop Yohio from chewing cables with a command. He severs cords faster than lightning, when I’d say no, the cord would already have gone to cord-heaven =) I use cable covers.

I have done the time-out by shutting him in the bed-room. I just hate it because I don’t want him to be behind a closed door, alone in his bunny-world (my bedroom is a Bunny-World now, it’s full of tunnels, cartons, hidey-houses, fleece blankets and sherpa fleece, stuffed toys, apple-twigs and hay. Lots of hay.).

haha that is my favorite thing about this website. Cause that is EXACTLY my room too. I have sticks everywhere and pine cones and twisted salt grass. He has more toys than I do!

[kinggoblin]

I did get my bun a teach & treat and he figured it all out quickly. He is too smart. He is very good about staying in his pen until he knows I’m home or just woken up. He figured out that he can jump over it onto the end table or onto his box of hay then runs upstairs to come see me.

Before I moved his treats into a twist top glass container he figured out how to open plastic tupperware type.

He pulls tissues out of the boxes and throws them on the floor even if I tuck the tissue inside the box grrrr.

He also hates when I’m reading or on my phone not paying attention to him. He tries to knock stuff out of my hands and throw them on the floor. He’s taken my glasses off ( I can’t see the tv without them! and only wear them at home when I’m watching tv ) and thrown them on the floor before too. He’s very demanding……….he loves giving and receiving kisses. He lays on my chest or sits on my shoulder and nose bumps my cheek or puts his nose right against my lips for a kiss.

[Smudge]

Posted By kinggoblin on 02/11/2014 02:17 AM

He also hates when I’m reading or on my phone not paying attention to him. He tries to knock stuff out of my hands and throw them on the floor. He’s taken my glasses off ( I can’t see the tv without them! and only wear them at home when I’m watching tv ) and thrown them on the floor before too. He’s very demanding……….he loves giving and receiving kisses. He lays on my chest or sits on my shoulder and nose bumps my cheek or puts his nose right against my lips for a kiss.

 Oh man, that is soooo cute. My cat used to do that when he wanted attention, Smudge mostly just wants to be near me but not on me.

I did just try a logic game with Smudge but now I’m wondering if he isn’t the brightest crayon in the box. I used the last of the toilet paper roll this morning so naturally, when I changed the roll, I brought the old one out of the kitchen and put some diggy cotton in there and a couple of raisins. Smudge quickly figured out to start banging the roll on the floor but didn’t notice when he got anything out of the other end or when the tube was empty…. I finally had to help him find the raisins on the floor. 

[manic_muncher]

Smudge! I put raisins in between each space between some stacky cups. Bumpy also didn’t notice when a few of them went flying nearby either. I didn’t help him and he did eventually find them… but took a minute.

[Smudge]

Posted By manic_muncher on 02/13/2014 04:50 AM

Smudge! I put raisins in between each space between some stacky cups. Bumpy also didn’t notice when a few of them went flying nearby either. I didn’t help him and he did eventually find them… but took a minute.

I think Smudge and Bumpy would get along well. Bumpy could enjoy just laying there (I just read your thread about that), eating raisins, while Smudge digs them out . 

[Author]

Messages