flopping is known to be their most relaxed position so i wouldn’t worry. if he is new then he is going to take to time to adjust! and of course, some bunnies just are shy! dougal isn’t shy at all, but he will spend many an hour in his cage rather than out because it’s his home.

Well, the fact that he’s flopping is a very good sign.  Means he’s feeling happy, safe and relaxed. 

He might not be ready to venture out yet, because it’s all new and I’m sure he smells your other bunny around.    Once he realizes this is home, he will settle in and feel even more safe to explore.

Tallullu, you are describing Blue when i got her. A month on she is so different, she still likes lying down and flopping a lot but does it out of the cage now and does spend time exploring, running and binkying too, though i still sometimes need to encourage (bribe) her out of the cage initially. I definately agree with everyone, and i think the key is to just relax – because the environment is new and needs getting used to slowly, first the noises and smells and sights whilst in the safe environment of the cage, then the rest will follow to varying degrees depending on personality. Also remember you don’t know what he had to deal with in his old ‘home’ before he was rescued, so being wary may be second nature to him. Everyone who sees Blue now thinks she’s a different rabbit (someone actually asked me if i got a different one!), so just persevere and i’m convinced he’ll come out of his shell.

aww. yes i agree with loopy-lop, i was also in a kind of similar boat with one of my buns. seamus was very quiet, subdued and shy when we first got him. we kind of just accepted the idea that he’s a bit “shy,” and “timid” and “cautious” though we loved him all the same. however, about 3 months after we got him, it suddenly clicked that things were safe here and he started coming out of his shell. now he comes when called, comes when not called, follows you around, loves interacting with you, and likes to skip around your ankles for pets and treats. also, before, he had a very slow, gentle and cautious hop, kind of a little tip-toe, when he explored his surroundings. now, he has a full-on gallop! it’s absolutely remarkable =) so just give whiskey a little time, it takes a while to become accustomed to the new home.

Yay! I’m so glad the bonding is starting off on the right foot! =)

Yeah!!!!   That sounds great!  I’m sure it really helped to do the bunny dating first to help find the right match.

Still go slow at first and keep us updated!

I think bunnies that have been in shelters for a while take some time to warm up and feel safe.Many of them don’t get a lot of out time or terrain to explore. Over time I bet you’ll be seeing binkies and a much more curious bunny 🙂 I’m so glad your first session of bonding started off on the right paw!

oo I’m so glad to hear it’s going well – it sounds like they’re making good progress. I’m betting Rollo’s blues will go away once he and Boo are fully bonded.

Yeah!  Sounds like things are going along well. Rabbits can really get territorial about the box.  What does Boo actually do when Rollo uses the box? I agree with Gravehearted that this will most likely be tolerated once they are bonded. I know that Jack, for the longest time, wasn’t too thrilled with Rucy, the love of his life, using the litterbox at the same time.  He didn’t care if she had to go in it, as long as he didn’t have to go.   Otherwise, he’d give her harmless, gentle nips on her backside to move her out if he was in there at the same time. So I just kept two so Rucy wouldn’t be forced to outside of the box.   However, just recently Jack allowed Rucy in.  You can see his new tolerance in a his latest Blog entry "Two in the Loo"  (short w/pics)

That’s so funny.  She is very serious about her box!  IF the box ends up being a real deal breaker with her,  Meaning it ends up hindering the process, you could just use his box, OR buy a box that hasn’t had anyone’s scent in it yet, and then clean it so it’s new each time you bond. 

Otherwise, if Boo ends up settling down and not getting so agitated then it should be fine.

How are they with food?  I mean have you brought in food yet for them to share?   IF so, do they get territorial about this or can they share?  (NOTE: if you haven’t tried that yet, be sure to spread the food out the first time so that they can eat near each other, but not nose to nose in a bowl yet – just in case they aren’t ready for that yet)

Wow, the fact that they are sharing a territory (underneath the couch), that’s really great!  Do they cuddle near each other or do they stay on opposite sides? 

Things are going very well, and you are doing a great job at going slow even though things are progressing very well. This is when people just think…"eh, it’s okay" and make the mistake of moving too fast.   I commend you on having the patience to be cautious. 

Do they groom each other yet?

Regarding leaving them out overnight.  First, how long are they together now?  If they can be together for several hours without fighting and they can hang out under the couch together, then I would think it would be okay HOWEVER, is there a way for you to camp out nearby just to make sure they don’t fight in the middle of the night?  Can you sleep on the couch?

You can also check out what I did in the bonding section.   (scroll down to Final Step – PERMANENT HOME:) I kept them in an x-pen to get used to hanging out with each other in a confined area and I slept on a cot.  (well, the picture shows my husband joking around on the cot) 

The trickiest part will be having them share "their" final home together.   Are you going to build a new place for them or are they going to take over one of their cages together?  IF they are going share an existing cage, then I would clean out Rollo’s first (since he seems to be less territorial) with a 50/50 vinegar/water mixture.

it sounds like they’ve made wonderful progress!

Tallullu, how are things going with Rollo and Boo?

Tallullu – That’s great!  I think luck  does come into play, but didn’t you do take your bunny to meet Rollo?  Basically bunny dating?   That really is the best way to go about it.  Though it doesn’t guarantee success when  you bring them home (which is where luck works) , but at least this cuts down the chances dramatically when you take your bunny to speed dating. 

Again, Congratulations on it working out so far!

Yeah!  You are welcome.   I am so happy to hear when bonding goes so well.  Good for you!!