HOLY SHIT! It took him 3 1/2 years, but our rabbit finally figured out how to unlatch his cage!

[HopeHoops]

He's studied the door since he was a kit. Initially he checked out the hinges and then those on the bathroom door. He inspected his latch and then looked up at the door handle, which of course looks nothing like it. His studies paid off. He finally got the latch undone.

It is a single length of thick wire curved in a 270 degree loop to provide the "spring" and has a hook on the end that catches the cage wire. You have to push in and pull up slightly to get it to unlatch. From his side, that means pulling and pushing up. I didn't think it was something he could do, but obviously I was wrong. We're talking about a 2 lb 2 oz rabbit here, not a bruiser.

He got back in his den when I told him to, mostly because he knows he'll get a yogurt drop treat. I bent the wire outwards to produce more tension but was still worried so I put a twist tie on the door for the night. I'll have to come up with something more convenient tomorrow. But SHIT! Is nothing safe?

[BlueJazz]

1. Awww...Good smart Bunny.

[HopeHoops]

2. I'm not sure "good" is a word I would use. "Naughty" seems more like it.

He is smart though. He potty trained himself when he was tiny. That comes in handy, as his cage floor stays relatively clean.

[Bucky]

3. From here on out, I foresee exponential growth in his learning curve. He'll be typing by New Years.

The only solution is to start negotiating your surrender terms now, while you still have some yogurt left.

By the way, I'm impressed that a rabbit knows voice commands. I never thought they were that smart.

[HopeHoops]

4. He's a little different. He's actually an outdoor bunny, but not quite normal.

When he was just old enough to venture out of the nest, he would come out to see what was going on when he heard my daughter's voices. I put him back with a slotted spoon a couple of times. One of the others came out just enough that I could get pictures of both - we're talking hamster size critters here. His nose is short and looks smashed in compared to the other one. That's has remained the case. He has some serious snot issues and it sounds like he has trouble breathing, but the vet says his lungs are strong and he's actually breathing just fine.

Anyway, the other kits left the nest and he was still hanging around. He had no fear of humans. He was still there at the end of the day and I figured he would get eaten if he just sat there. We have a lot of cats in the neighborhood that are out at night. So, I took him in. He loved being cuddled and I quickly noticed an abscess on his side. The vet shaved the area and drained it - bite mark. We think the mother may have tried to kill him because he was weird. So, we had to clean it with peroxide and put on Neosporin twice a day. It healed up just fine and he's been a great pet.

Soon after he came in, we introduced him to our border collie - she's about 77 lbs. He had absolutely no fear of her, but the DOG was afraid of the rabbit! That was probably because he didn't try to hide. She chases them outside. He just doesn't have normal rabbit instincts. One instinct that he DOES have (fortunately) is grooming. He keeps himself very clean and always bathes when my wife is in the tub. When she's getting ready, he'll put his front paws in his water dish and flick water at her legs. I think that might be because I flick water at him while I'm in the shower.

We aren't sure if he learned to use the potty by himself or by example, but he sits on it whenever one of us is on the john. Early on, we found urine all over the wall. The only thing I could figure is that he was standing up in the cage and peeing through the bars. One day I was in taking a leak and had a horrible thought. What if he was mimicking ME? So, I switched to sitting down to pee in that bathroom and sure enough, the wall has been clean since then. Now THAT is freaky!

[Sheltiemama]

7. That little guy is scary smart.

[HopeHoops]

8. He's a great pet. Unfortunately, he's an old man now.

Outdoor bunnies apparently have about a 3 year lifespan, at least the ones around here. Some of that is probably because of predators. He's 3 1/2, but he's been treated like a king. I hope he lives much longer.

[Bucky]

9. That is the coolest rabbit story ever.

Please don't eat him.

[HopeHoops]

12. Well, we're vegetarian so that's unlikely. Besides, he wouldn't make a meal.

He's a tiny little thing and a wonderful pet. He fell asleep on my chest while I cuddled him last night. That can be dangerous for two reasons: 1) although rare, he has gotten so comfortable that he peed all over my chest; and 2) if he startles, those little razor blades we call claws can do some serious chest damage.

[madmx19790]

5. smart little rabbit

[Kali]

6. oh they can be very mischievous

most are as easy to litter box "train" as a cat (instinct, no training really needed)

there are some you tube videos out there of pet rabbits getting all rowdy with their toys - hilarious

[Love Bug]

10. Given enough time, he'll rule the world! Muwahahahaha!

[woo me with science]

11. Smart bunny.

Better start negotiations. :)