Hello

Our bunnies may have an aggression problem, I wanted to ask if any of you experienced this and what to do with it. 

We have a bonded pair, and the boy, who is younger and slightly bigger, SOMETIMES charges at the girl like he’s some kind of linebacker, but no biting, followed by chasing her away into a corner or some such hiding space.  The word Sometimes basically means when there is some kind of startling noise or sudden movement interrupting a serene, cuddly moment, or when both are being petted but Somebody feels like he’s a redheaded stepchild who’s not getting More petting than somebody else, or when for example, everybody is getting some treats but a certain Somebody feels like somebody else May be getting slightly more treat than he is, and Boom, we have a problem.

When he lunges at her, he basically nudges her in the body, though not hard, but startling her, she runs away, he gives chase, but no fighting ensues, they go back to lovey dovey in 55 to 88 seconds.   Yeah, it sounds inconsequential, but I’m not so sure, since the stress level increases during this time, and that cant be good for Emma, who has had a rough year with 3 visits to the vet (stepped on, clogged tearduct, and upper respiratory infection, in that order).  Its my understanding that increases in stress decreases immune system which in turn decreases my wallet and so on…

We’ve tried verbally reprimanding Sparkplug, but he looks at us like he doesn’t understand the reasons why bunnies should not be aggressive towards one another in a civilized society-household-thing. 

We adopted Emma when she was about 1 yr, and after 2 yrs with us, she was well adapted and absolutely sweet, but slightly lonely when we’re at work.  We took Emma out to find a mate, had a good date with Sparky.  So we adopted Sparky, right after his castration, he was about 1 yr old.  We bonded them ourselves after bringing him home.  He sprayed and humped and tried to assert some control, but bc Emma is a dwarf, smaller sized and more docile than the rambunctious  Sparkplugg, we wanted her to be in charge (otherwise she might get picked on).  So we helped her subjugate him.  This is how they were bonded and things were fine in the kingdom.  Other than the occasional Emma-humping-Sparkys-face, they were sweet and caring towards one another as your bonded pairs usually are.  Not much has changed except now, 2 yrs after Sparky came home, after he has grown a little more (5lbs Sparky vs. 2.5lbs Emma), he has sort of subverted the power structure through some complex and subtle political maneuvers.  As of now, the kingdom is peaceful, with lotta snuggling and flopping, and binkies,…but it is uncertain whose kingdom it really is…

So what does this mean?  Do we need to re-establish dominance? Squirt water?  Car ride?  Ignore the problem and it will go away?  Call the British Supernanny lady?