Teach a voluntary rise, then add a cue. The aim is recognition, not a long balance or a higher reach.
Prepare a willing learner
In Best Friends' rabbit training guide, participation depends on the rabbit. Keep rewards small and avoid adding excessive calories; its examples are not a required treat menu.
The RSPCA behaviour guide calls for accessible hiding places and escape from unwanted interaction. Leave those choices open.
Mark the rise
Use a clicker already paired with a reward. The Rabbit.org clicker guide starts with a target or treat above the rabbit's head, without a spoken command. Click as the rabbit rises onto the hind legs, then reward.
Let the rabbit make the movement. Do not pull the front paws or lift the body to create the pose. If there is no voluntary rise, stop rather than raising the lure farther away.
Add the cue later
Rabbit.org then replaces a food lure with the clicker held above the head: click on rising and reward after the rabbit returns to all four feet. Add the spoken cue only once the behaviour is reliable.
Work on one change at a time. A new hand signal and a new word together make it harder to tell which the rabbit recognises.
Finish before frustration
Keep sessions brief. Pause if either participant becomes frustrated, and resume later.
There is no need to progress to prolonged balancing or jumping. For a different floor-level skill, try nose targeting.
