Forum

OUR FORUM IS UP BUT WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF UPDATING AND FIXING THINGS.  SOME THINGS WILL LOOK WEIRD AND/OR NOT BE CORRECT. YOUR PATIENCE IS APPRECIATED.  We are not fully ready to answer questions in a timely manner as we are not officially open, but we will do our best. 

You may have received a 2-factor authentication (2FA) email from us on 4/21/2020. That was from us, but was premature as the login was not working at that time. 

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately! Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

What are we about?  Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules

BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum BONDING Marathoning

Viewing 20 reply threads
  • Author
    Messages

    • theshrew24
      Participant
      66 posts Send Private Message

        I have finally taken the plunge to do a marathon bonding weekend – yay! It is MLK weekend, so even though bonding did not begin until Saturday afternoon, we have the next 50+ hours to be together.

        As we have already done several hours-long sessions in my room with no issues, I have picked up a lot of the clutter and set up some bunny toys that I did not trust them with before (namely, a box I have turned into a hidey-hole that puts them in close proximity to each other but difficult for me to reach them). Albus is taking out all the nibbling/digging paper (*sigh*) and Wally is getting up to his normal mischief (no, you may not get into my underwear drawer!).

        Both seem really happy with the current situation, and I have to say, I am very happy and relieved with it as well. I felt so guilty and frustrated trying to schedule feedings, bonding, and individual playtime in between work and school; it is so nice being able to just let both out at the same time. I am no longer worrying about markings of territory (though I think Wally’s potty training was lacking, so I am reinforcing the idea of ALL goings happen in the indicated boxes, not just in any old corner).

        There are still times where I cannot be sure if Wally is bullying Albus or just trying to have fun. I think it is a mix of both; not being able to play leads to frustration, which he turns into bullying. A little while ago, I thought Wally was chasing Albus, and I was going to calm things down until I saw Albus do this gigantic binky, followed by a crash into their hidey box. Close behind was Wally, who did a ginormous binky, followed by crashing into Albus in their hidey box. I had to smile at that. Knowing that two months ago they would have viciously fought in this amount of space and seeing them playing with each other now – it’s just a wonderful, liberating feeling.

        I have decided to leave their individual cages up for now. I am going to make the shared condo so that we can do intervals tonight of individual cages and shared condo to minimize shock/surprise – namely, change.

        Albus just flopped! Wally went to go lie out right next to Albus, who got up, turned around, and flopped. I am still seeing some humping attempts from  Wally, which Albus tolerates from time to time, but while it definitely looks assertive, it does not look aggressive. Of course, I am catching a lot more of this cute “let’s cuddle” business.


      • theshrew24
        Participant
        66 posts Send Private Message

          As we move into hour 6, I feel it is time for an update. I have let them romp around my room as they please but have left their cages as is. I do not think they are ready for one shared, closed space.

          There have been no fights, but there is still quite a bit of bullying on the part of Wally. I think he also is developing a bad case of jealousy, because every time Albus asks for pets, Wally comes bounding over. I think he also wants to bond with me, which up until recently we have not really had a chance to do. It is really interesting, and I am trying to come up with different ways to have a few moment with both of them and then each one individually.

          They spend 3-6min lying peacefully side by side before someone moves and everything gets disrupted. Wally buzzes and chases Albus. They lie down separately. Calm. Wally gets up and shoves Albus, who promptly moves, usually tailed closely by Wally. Repeat process.

          It’s a strange dynamic. I feel like we are at the part where I really just need to push forward and get through this final step. I am hoping and crossing all my fingers that I am reading this right, that we are not going to go backwards from here.

          A the moment, they are both in Albus’ cage, side by side, munching on hay.


        • LBJ10
          Moderator
          16870 posts Send Private Message

            From what you have described, I really don’t see any reason to worry. They will probably spend some time working the kinks out of their relationship. Hopefully Wally will realize at some point that Albus isn’t as enthusiastic about playing and chasing.


          • LBJ10
            Moderator
            16870 posts Send Private Message

              At some point you will just need to take the plunge and have them together overnight.


            • theshrew24
              Participant
              66 posts Send Private Message

                I think you are right.

                So we reached hour 10. At the moment, Wally is…I would say desperate, in his wanting to get close to Albus. Minimal bullying now, it’s just a lot of, “I want to lie down next to you!”

                By this point, they have spent close to a week being out in this previously-not-neutral space for long hours together, and the last time I had to break up a fight was…maybe a week and a half ago? Definitely more than a week ago. Either way, it is so nice to be able to do work, laundry, go to the bathroom, even cook while these guys are out.

                Albus still will not groom Wally, which is a little disheartening, considering how much Wally seems to desire affection. I do think we are almost there, though. Tomorrow night will be the big test!


              • theshrew24
                Participant
                66 posts Send Private Message

                  So, as luck would have it, life happened and I was not able to do a full session of evening playtime, going to be together, and then breakfast and morning playtime together. I am still seeing a bit of bullying from Wally, so I am not comfortable leaving them alone together unsupervised, but we will be spending tonight together. I have fixed the shared enclosure into a more suitable shape, so we are going to be giving this a try.

                  Poor Wally loved playing, lounging, and kissing Albus, who refuses to groom him back. There was one occasion where Albus did seek Wally out to lounge because Wally was [surprisingly] very calm. Most of the time, though, Wally is a ball of energy, and Albus is not about that.

                  We are not fully bonded, but we are very very close.


                • LBJ10
                  Moderator
                  16870 posts Send Private Message

                    You can sleep near them while you have them together overnight. That way you can intervene if necessary.


                  • theshrew24
                    Participant
                    66 posts Send Private Message

                      UPDATE: My boys are pretty much bonded. I still see a fair amount of mounting (usually because Wally gets frustrated that Albus is not an energetic playmate nor affectionate), so I do not leave them alone together during the day, but we are almost there. I just wanted to share a difference in behaviour between these two. It is very cute and I would not trade it for the world, even though it means more trouble for me.

                      My boys used to tattle on each other when the other one was getting himself into trouble. One would hop over to me, give me nose shoves, binky, and otherwise bring attention to himself if the other was doing one of several things they are not allowed to do (like hopping on my bed or sneaking into my bathroom or weaseling into my sock/undergarment drawers).

                      NOW, one of them will try to be cute. I get little nose bumps, licks, etc., and when I look around to check on the other one, he has gotten himself into mischief! The last time I reprimanded Wally, Albus nipped me, and the last time I reprimanded Albus, Wally started stomping and grunting at me. And they *always* snuggle after I catch one of them being “bad”. They have also mastered the “I have absolutely no idea what happened, Mom, but it wasn’t me” look – both of them.

                      Double trouble.

                      I do sigh in exasperation at times, but this has to mean that they are taking well to each other and enjoy each other’s company. Brothers at long last!


                    • LBJ10
                      Moderator
                      16870 posts Send Private Message

                        Yes, it certainly sounds like they are accepting each other and even looking out for each other.


                      • theshrew24
                        Participant
                        66 posts Send Private Message

                          Brilliant!

                          Also, I reorganized their shared enclosure. They were never calm during the night so we have yet to spend an entire night together. So far, so good. Both of them have checked out their new cage, have eaten and drunken some water and are now just lounging. Everyone just seems very, very relaxed, something that was lacking the last time I tried doing this.

                          Here is to getting through the night and me getting a full night’s sleep!


                        • theshrew24
                          Participant
                          66 posts Send Private Message

                            So, we spent the night together. The problem is, I must have been worrying about it subconsciously, because after 3 hours of just lying on my bed, I still was not getting any Z’s. I figured I might as well get work done, but at that point everyone wanted to be let out (“Lights are on? Mom is up? Yay, it must be playtime!”). So technically there has been no separation for hours, but they had full run of the room for most of those hours.
                            I guess we will try again tonight.


                          • theshrew24
                            Participant
                            66 posts Send Private Message

                              We are going to try again tonight. I think everyone is settling in now. Right now, they are lying out underneath the shelf i made for them. Wally loves cuddling with Albus. How do I make Albus like cuddling more? It makes my heart break sometimes. Overall, though, they are doing splendidly. Usually they are romping all over my room but now they seem quite content to relax in their enclosure, even though I have it open so they have full access to my room. I think it gets the bunny stamp of approval.


                            • LBJ10
                              Moderator
                              16870 posts Send Private Message

                                LOL, sounds like you set yourself up for that one.

                                Hmm, I don’t think you can really force a bunny to want to cuddle. I’m sure they will work out the cuddling (or not cuddling) part later as their relationship develops more.


                              • theshrew24
                                Participant
                                66 posts Send Private Message

                                  Aaaaand, we’re back to the humping.


                                • LBJ10
                                  Moderator
                                  16870 posts Send Private Message

                                    Humping is okay, just as long as it doesn’t lead to fighting.


                                  • theshrew24
                                    Participant
                                    66 posts Send Private Message

                                      I think at this point we are past the fighting, but we did have a skirmish a few days ago.

                                      Also, they have taken to dumping the contents of the litter boxes out and flipping over their water bowls. -___- Wally started it, and now Albus is like, “ah, yes, good idea, brother, this fun!” Albus was so clean before, as an only-rabbit. Now, it looks like a bomb hit this place.


                                    • LBJ10
                                      Moderator
                                      16870 posts Send Private Message

                                        Hehe, the pleasures of a bonded pair. The “good” one always picks up the bad habits of their new friend.


                                      • theshrew24
                                        Participant
                                        66 posts Send Private Message

                                          OMG, stop what you are doing!!

                                          Albus just licked Wally.
                                          Repeat, Albus just licked Wally!!

                                          I almost interrupted them in my shock!

                                          Now they are cuddling under the shelf I made them…*heavy breathing*

                                          Please excuse my enthusiasm, this has been 3 months+ in the making.


                                        • LBJ10
                                          Moderator
                                          16870 posts Send Private Message

                                            Yipee!


                                          • theshrew24
                                            Participant
                                            66 posts Send Private Message

                                              I am still seeing a lot of humping from Wally, especially when he is trying to release energy. On a really positive note, Albus just finished a 7min grooming of Wally’s head x)


                                            • LBJ10
                                              Moderator
                                              16870 posts Send Private Message

                                                Sounds good. Like I said, humping is okay as long as it isn’t causing a fight. And yes, grooming is good. I’m glad Albus finally decided it wasn’t such a bad idea.

                                            Viewing 20 reply threads
                                            • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.

                                            Forum BONDING Marathoning