Hi guys – I’m a first time bunny owner with two little rescued boys, Samson and Maxwell, who are currently in the bonding process.  We are making progress, but I have a question regarding Maxwell.  When I first got him he had no interest in me whatsoever.  Petting him was out of the question and he was very independent, wanting no human interaction.  He was also (and still is) a very nervous bunny.  His nickname is Moody Max because it takes very little to cause him to freak out and sulk.  He has gotten a lot better.  For example, he used to be freaked out by the noise my kitchen door makes when I slide it open, but has now learned that usually it means treats when I come out of the kitchen.  He has also become quite an affectionate bunny and will follow me around, asking to be petted.  However, before this happened, he was testy.  If I was sitting on the floor with him, he would come over, nip me if I was in his way, and then thump and hop away if I didn’t move (I wasn’t about to give in to his nipping demands).  It seems that once he realized I was boss, he calmed down substantially and the nipping stopped. Now he just chins my feet from time to time.

 Well, it seems he is trying the same things with his brother (not biological), Samson.  Samson is a complete 180 of Maxwell.  He loves to be held, petted, cuddled, and just be the center of attention.  Maxwell likes to burrow in things, while Samson I have to supervise more closely because he loves to jump on top of things and winds up in precarious situations…  During bonding, Samson could care less about Max.  He’s a happy go lucky little guy and honestly I think would be friends with just about anyone or anything.  He’s obsessed with trying to watch my two little parrotlets, and when I go visit my parents and bring the bunnies with, he loves one of their chihuahuas, Paco, and has no trouble interacting with him.  Maxwell being around doesn’t seem to phase Samson, and Samson doesn’t exhibit nearly as much territorial behavior as Max – i.e. leaving droppings if he’s in a room Max has been in, chinning things, etc.  

Maxwell, however, is not so sure about Samson.  He doesn’t directly lunge at Samson, but if they are together, nips at him.  It’s like he’s doing to Sam, what he did with me earlier, trying to figure out who’s boss.  Sam obviously, is not a fan of this nipping and immediately tenses up with his tail straight up.  From reading, I understand this is an ‘I’m going to attack you now’ stance, and so I separate them when this happens.  Any suggestions on how to proceed?  I’m nervous Max’s behavior will escalate into a full on fight and I would prefer no bloodshed.  

There have been measurable signs of progress.  Their cages are next to each other (they used to be in pens, Sam climbs/jumps out of anything and Max would run into the sides of the pen headfirst when something startled him) and they are quite content.  Max actually seems to be A LOT more relaxed with Sam next to him.  They get hours of playtime out each day, usually with Max in the living room and Sam in my bedroom, although I switch it up from time to time since the living room is larger and to mix up their scents.  It used to be that when I switched rooms, Max would mark EVERYWHERE with his droppings.  This doesn’t happen anymore.  Max would also go to the door separating my bedroom/living room and dig furiously to try to get at Sam and would even pee in front of the door (he is normally a pro at using his box).  This doesn’t happen anymore either.  Max is still interested in the door, but isn’t marking it as much anymore (still a few poo droppings, but dramatically decreased), and looks more relaxed and curious than ‘I want to kill the bunny on the other side’.  

They have also started to gravitate towards the same sides of their cages and when one eats so does the other (usually).  One has also gotten out a few times with the other in his cage, and the brief meeting between the bars was also uneventful (I try to avoid this interaction as I know they can hurt themselves this way if a fight did break out).  

Am I just being too chicken with them in terms of bonding?  I’ve read a lot of the forums on here and I really believe it is possible to bond them.  I’ve heard elsewhere that male/male bondings can be one of the trickiest.  Any input here?  Have you successfully bonded two males?  I realize it’s possible from reading some of these forums, but just wondering if you found it more difficult.  

Oh, lastly they both are neutered and have been for months.

Thanks for reading! I realize this is a bit long!