Clickers are available at your local pet store. For rabbits, the sound of the clicker is more consistent and less confusing than human words. A click is a more immediate reward than verbal praise or treats. You could also use a pen as a clicker.

Visit your local home decoration store to find the jingle bell and a stick. The purpose of the stick is to lure your rabbit into performing a certain task.

Repeat this about 15 times. [6] X Research source

As you move the target stick further away, your rabbit should start to follow and try to touch it. If he doesn’t follow, shorten your distance and try again. [9] X Research source To challenge him even further, do not click immediately after he touches the target stick. Instead, wait for a second or two. This will teach him to be patient before he earns the reward. [10] X Research source You may find that your rabbit enjoys the extra challenge. [11] X Research source

Your rabbit will be hungry in the morning, which should make him more receptive to getting a food reward. Your rabbit may get bored with a lot of repetitions. If your rabbit starts to lose interest, end the training session and work with him again later in the day or the next day.

Choose a carpeted area of your home. Hardwood floors or tiles would be too slippery.

Whichever item you choose, make sure it is light enough for you to hold above the ground during training sessions. Visit your local pet store to pick up a pole or other small object for your rabbit to jump over.

Do not rush him while he investigates the object.

Your rabbit may surprise you and jump over the object without you needing to use the target stick. If he does this, click when he is at the height of his jump. [15] X Research source Whether he jumps with or without the target stick, reward him with positive reinforcement after you use the clicker. If your rabbit decides to run to the side of the object, or maybe run away from it, simply pick him up and place him in front of the object again. You may need to do this a few times until your rabbit understands that he is supposed to stay in front of the object and jump over it. Keep on practicing until your rabbit can consistently jump over the object at a low height.

Immediately click and reward your rabbit when his back feet clear the object. Do not hold the object so high that your rabbit is not able to jump over it or risks injury trying to do so.

Say the verbal cue softly. If you say the cue in a loud voice, your rabbit may become frightened and run away from you. With practice, you should say the cue only once. Initially, you may need to say the command several times before your rabbit understands what it means. Make sure your voice does not sound threatening or emotional if you have to say the cue multiple times.

Eventually, you should also start phasing out the treats —you don’t want your rabbit becoming overweight while teaching him to jump!

Large breed rabbits include English Lops, French Lops, and Americans. [20] X Research source Although younger rabbits are easily trainable, their bones and joints are still developing. They could injure themselves and develop orthopedic problems with too much jumping. [21] X Research source Before you teach your rabbit to jump over something, take him to your veterinarian for a physical exam. Your veterinarian can let you know if your rabbit’s physical condition is ideal for jumping. [22] X Research source

Although rabbits are social animals, they are not pack animals and thus do not have an ‘alpha’ rabbit. [24] X Research source Your rabbit is unlikely to see you and respond to you as his ‘alpha. ’ In addition, a rabbit’s appetite is smaller than that of a dog. Therefore, treats may not be very enticing to your rabbit as a reward (unless he’s hungry). [25] X Research source If treats are not enticing to your rabbit, offer him other forms of reward, such as head scratches. [26] X Research source

Punishing your rabbit can also make him more aggressive, fearful, and maybe even vindictive. [29] X Research source