Making a neutral area in one rabbit’s territory?

[Dee]

I’ve had Precious for nearly 4 months now and must get her and Luke bonded- I feel so guilty that they are still living separately although they’re both happy. They have done great at the rescue, car carrier and laundry basket. They have snuggled in the basket and even groomed each other! But when I let them together in the hallway that Luke some tea hangs out in, he trailed behind her sniffing her, then suddenly it looked like they each thinking of humping each other, someone snorted, someone lunged, there was a brief flurry of bunny, and I grabbed Luke up. There was one chunk of Precious fur, but they were both fine. I am still traumatized by Luke and Nelli’s fight when Luke scratched Nell and she needed several stitches in her belly. They got together by accident and were alone for about two minutes before I found them, so I know it’s unlikely that it will happen with my supervision, but still… The fact that they can hurt each other that badly so quickly terrifies me. Another thing is I can’t tell if they are just nipping and lunging, which is supposed to be normal, or if they are about to get into that “rabbit tornado” where they rip each other apart. Any words of advise or comfort would be great ?.

OK, now to my original question. I have a big problem with Lukie- he is so afraid of being picked up that he will hide for days if I pick him up just once. Not only is this sad, but it makes transporting him for regular bonding impossible. So the bonding area must be somewhere that he can go into on his own. And obviously they need neutral territory. Problem is, I think it should be in a place where I can supervise them for the hours and days of final bonding when they are together all the time. Obviously, at first they will just spend an hour at most together, so then I could set them up anywhere Luke could hop to willingly. The only places that I could actually see/hear near them during regular household activity is the kitchen (Precious territory),living room and my bedroom- (Luke’s rooms). So I put an Xpen in the living room and put linoleum flooring under it. I have cardboard up on one side and will block the other side’s with sheets so they can’t see out when they are in there. However, right now Luke can see into it and he is circling it and inspecting the outside of it. Will this be neutral enough? Or do you all think it will be considered Luke’s territory still? I just don’t get how we could set up a place in another room that is not bunny territory when it’s not a part of the house where I normally hang out or can see from the kitchen or living room. How could I leave them alone in the final part of bonding unless they are located in an area I can sleep? Maybe I’m over thinking this. Any advice would would be great. I’m just so afraid of doing something wrong and them hurting each other. Thanks!!!

[Dee]

Update: I was too afraid to let them it in the “maybe neutral” area today, so I kept them in the laundry basket inside there. They both groomed each other!!! I was so pleased. There is no aggression between them, I think Luke just gets nervous because other rabbits have been mean to him.

[DanaNM]

Hi Dee,
It seems like you would be good to try your new set up, since they are doing well otherwise.
A few things I would do:
-Don’t leave the new “neutral” space you have created set up while Luke is out running around, as it sounds like he is marking the outside. You might even want to use fresh cardboard when you are ready to put your buns into it. That said, moving into less neutral territory is the next step following happy buns in the neutral territory.
-I would try starting your marathon session in the laundry basket, a place where they have been happy together, and then move them directly into the new pen you have set up. Don’t be surprised if there is a bit of aggression in the new place! It sounds like they are doing great together in the basket, even with their little tussle, so that’s great. I recently bonded a very timid rescue with our very outgoing bun who had claimed out whole apartment, so I can relate. We had the most success with marathon bonding in a cardboard box, and then moving into the kitchen, which was definitely less neutral.

Would love to hear how it goes!

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[DanaNM]

Also want to add, have the vacuum cleaner near by during marathon bonding! Pots and pans are good too! I also found an ambulance siren noise online that I had to resort too once. I felt sooooo terrible, but it is best to break up fights using loud noises or water spraying. You want the buns to “decide” to stop fighting, rather than separating them physically. Wild rabbits are social due to fear…. so you kind of have to convince them they need each other! Obviously you dealt with a very serious fight, so you know that injury needs to be prevented, but a little fur pulling and lunging allows them to sort out their dominance heirarchy. The main warning signs of a real fight are chasing and circling, so those should be stopped with loud noises. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Dee]

Hi Dana,
Thank you so much for your reply and excellent ideas ☺. I just noticed your post today.

I never thought of not leaving the pen set up- will definitely do that from now on! The bunnies have been bonding in their laundry basket, as I still haven’t gathered the courage to let them out in the pen. Now I’m glad, because taking it down will make it much more “new” and neutral to them. We had to break for a few days because Luke had a health crisis. He’s fine now, but he seemed to have trouble peeing, so I’m waiting until he’s been better for several days before I add bonding stress in there. It actually isn’t bonding that scares Lukie, it’s getting picked up or confined, but if he ever wants to have the lovely Precious as his bride, he’ll just have to be brave lol.

I’m glad that you were able to bond your bunnies! You all must be happy about it- and it gives me confidence that I can do it too. I know I need to calm down and let them interact and establish dominance. The vacuum will definitely be nearby since both rabbits are afraid of it!

I’ll keep you posted on how things go!

[Author]

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