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TRAINING
Yes, rabbits can be trained. Some breeds are posed when being judged, and a bunny that sits pretty for the judge will earn some brownie points. There are other kinds of handling that a rabbit must learn to accept.
The Netherland is a posed breed. It should sit squarely with all 4 feet under the body. Front feet should line up under the eye. Back feet should be under the hip. The shoulders should be higher than the hindquarters, but not too high. There should be no daylight under the rabbit. The head should sit high on the shoulders, and the ears should be erect. The photo on this page shows a nicely posed Silverado.
I begin to train the youngsters to pose for the show table and evaluation at about 3 wks of age. The sooner they get used to this the better. I hold my hands around their body to get them to sit still, and try to get them used to lifting the head. If they sit for a second, I release them with praise and a caress, and allow them to play on the table for a minute. I do this often until they sit for longer periods of time. I never pet the ears down, and a tickle behind the jaw can get them to raise the ears. I stroke the ears to get them up and together.
It's important to get the bunny to pose if possible. This is the best way to evaluate their type. Some NDs never learn to do this. "Carpet munchers" are NDs that refuse to pose up. They lay flat to the table with the head low. It may be due to poor type, or just shyness. It's very hard for you or a judge to evaluate such a rabbit. I've found it's somewhat genetic. A natural poser will often beget natural posers. Flighty rabbits may make squirmy babies. I love when a bunny comes out of the nestbox posing naturally!
Jrs, especially bucks, will sometimes become difficult as they start feeling their adolescence. They will be more interested in sniffing the table than posing. I've found an unfamiliar surface with less room to roam, such as a stool, will get them to behave.
Frequent handling of kits from the day of birth will help make sweet, calm bunnies for both show and pet. I play with the babies almost daily.
They will need to accept other handling. I get them used to being turned over for examinations. Teeth should be checked by holding the head and spreading the lips. Most babies will fight this at first, but will eventually be ok with it. They also need to be quiet when checking the genitals for sex or problems. Since I don't trust myself to sex correctly until 4-5 weeks old, they get this handling often. I handle the feet to check the nails.
Grooming begins early, especially nail trimming. I trim the babies' nails at about 7-8 weeks of age. This is just snipping off the sharp points, and they are usually quiet for this if I have been training them to be calm when handled. They should allow cleaning of fur or genitals when needed.
Continued handling and training is needed so they don't forget. My show bunnies are posed all of their lives, and even brood rabbits are set up on the table occasionally. I don't really expect them to give me a perfect pose, but I like to see their condition from time to time.
Related Info: Glossary; Links; Grooming; Shows
* DISCLAIMER * This article was written from personal experience and opinion, and some input from other breeders. It is intended as a guide only. Other breeders may disagree or have other methods.
This article or any part of this site may not be reproduced without permission.
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