OMG you have grooming already? If there is absolutely nipping, I would just pop them in a cage together and call them bonded…but I jump the gun alot LOL

Well, they are adorable together. I don’t think this is really a good indication as they both looked distracted and confused :~)

You need to try something else to get them to interact or even to know if they are truly ignoring each other (which is not a negative in bonding).

I think the washer is best only if you are having some really tough bonding sessions and right now you aren’t really certain how together they will interact or react.

thats great beka!  i think you’re ready for non-washer bonding for sure.  some where neutral thats big enough for them to roam around a bit & for you to be there with them to break up if any nipping / circling starts to escalate.  oh and a plate of greens for them to dine on.  what a great match for each other they are!  so sweet

awww they are soo cute together! I see you have that water bottle handy!  looks like they are off to a pretty good start.

My god girl, they look completely bonded to me!!! They are so adorable together. They look sooo much alike!  I always thought Meadow had gray spots!  I’d put them in a room together and see what happens. BUT I am no expert!  You are doing a fantastic job!  I still want Max.  I love the way his ear rests on Mead’s back.

awwee!! SO CUTE!! Max looks a little scared, though???

<3 max <3

***luvin’ the loppz***

I think Max is thinking “why the heck is she putting me in a laundry basket? That’s just weird. I need to pee”!!!

I would stop the washing machine stuff for now and proceed onto the neutral territory bonding. Actually, what I would do is set up the neutral space with the X-pen and then take them on a 5 minute washing mashine ride first and then place them into the X-pen. Do that combo for only the first time. Bring them back to the washing machine only if there is some severe fighting going on. The washing machine should now be considered a ‘time out’ place where you put both buns if they are very naughty.

You will have to be prepared for some nipping and mounting that will go on while they sort things out. The hardest thing for a parent when bonding is that they will interrupt any sort of aggression and, unfortunately, buns needta work things out. It only becomes a real issue when both buns decide that they’re not going to back down and go into fighting one another. If one nips and the other hops away and the first doesn’t immediately pursue, that is part of the bonding process.

The fact that Meadow groomed Max is a VERY good sign.

I would simply carry them in the basket to the neutral space. If some nipping goes on during transport, just shake the basket a little bit. If nipping happens during the bonding process, what I would do is clap and say “NO” once it starts and if it continues, then get the water bottle and spray. However, any nipping to the face is a no-no and should be corrected immediately (aka spray). It is hard to clap AND hold a spray bottle so what I do is wear shorts so that I can slap my thigh for the ‘clap’ and still have the water bottle ready to shoot.

It is always better to err on the side of caution though. It takes a bit of intuition to know the difference between Meadow’s nips saying “I’m in charge, get out of my way,” and “I hate you and want you gone!” Maryann was easy to read as she’d latch onto Dono like a lampry and pull. Good thing is was so fluffy.

It’s alot of work isn’t it! It’s good if you can be persistent and do a few bonding sessions every day – the more you can do, hopefully the quicker the bonding will go.

I think as long as you and the rabbits can tolerate hour sessions then I think you should keep up with the hour sessions – if after an hour they are getting along then I say start increasing the sessions. I think most people start out at 15 minutes because that’s all they can handle but it’s really not long enough in my opinion if they are having spurts of good behavior and it’s not all bad behavior – then longer is better.

have u tried bonding them in the bath? so they cant ignore each other? very nice video i love how u are such a bunny slave she nipped him and u squirted her and then gave her head pats hehehehe

i think your bedroom session went well.  i agree with markus when he says the buns need to work it out.  baby & pinky were both trying to be top bun but after the first few scuffles &… ahem… humping incidents baby backed right down.  it became verrrrry clear that pinky was the top bun dispite baby’s seniority & spunky rabbitude. 

imho (not speaking from experience but from having read stuff ) if you continue with these sessions the scuffles will die down once they both accept where they stand in the pecking order.  i really think this is what i need to do too.  [ maybe why i’m suggesting it for you… hmmm?  lol ] 

That’s a cool video.  Are you sure they are not playing??? Is Max a mini lop? He looks bigger than a Holland Lop.  Did you take him to the vet yet?

Thanks for all the vids. They help out a lot. I hope others weigh in besides me on what I am seeing as I often miss the subtle things.

First, I think that you have too much room for them. They need to interact with one another more to get the bonding working. Although it is good to have a place to retreat to, too much space and they’ll just remain bad neighbors. You should cut the space in half – put up a gate so that they can’t get past the bed.

Next, with the fight that happens in “Bedroom Bonding” – you don’t want the fight to continue for more than a couple of seconds. The moment that Meadow chases Max is when you want to stop it – either with a loud clap or the water sprayer.

Also, don’t let them into Meadow’s territory (any place she’s had free reign of) as she will fight ferociously to defend it.

Yup, Meadow reminds me a lot of Maryann. It’s going to take some time.

Oh, they can have free roam space by themselves. But when bonding, you should try to keep the space smaller and as neutral as possible.

I agree with Markus – too much space means too little interaction.