Bonding bunnies but she is a bully? Or is she? Help

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 7sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 11 months ago by Deleted User.

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- 12/27/2017 at 12:20 PM
  Bun
  Participant
  11 posts
  4 months ago I purchased a six-month-old lionhead and his mate passed away so two months ago I purchased I believe in Angora female to be his friend I have gone through the bonding they sit together he try to show her affection she would just hopped away. He tried to show dominant behavior but I stopped that after 10 seconds in the tub. I have followed many methods. Finally I made an enclosure and all changed she began to nip him. Never drawing blood sometimes fur. I separated them she knocked down the barrier 3 times. She seems to go up to his hide and sits with him but no grooming. If he comes by she tries to nip him but not bite. She was an abuse rescue. Is she a bully or can this be working? Should I leave them alone or separate them?
- 12/27/2017 at 12:47 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  How long did you bond and prebond for and what kind of bonding and prebonding? Because if you’ve only had her for 2 months that is not a long time at all. Did you give her time to settle in and adjust? The first month or two is scary for a new bun in their new home and they really need that time to adjust to their surroundings and she can get very stressed from all the new changes at once. And did you build this new enclosure as a last ditch effort? Because just putting them into it isn’t going to just make them bond. You should keep them separate, let her actually adjust to life without attempting a bond, do a bunch of prebonding, and then you can begin bonding them again. It’s also important to know if the female is spayed. If she is not you need to stop putting them together because she is hormonal and will act as such. Is he neutered? If neither are fixed you need to keep them separated completely until 1-2 months after the operations.
- 12/27/2017 at 1:23 PM
  Bun
  Participant
  11 posts
  They are both spayed. I tried the car ride he snuggled she just looked around. I tried the bathtub she just sat there I had her two months and my new enclosure was to attach to the indoor hutch I have for him. She never showed any emotion until i set up a barrier for her to live on one side and he is on the other side but she kept knocking the barrier down. I thought she wanted to be with him after the third time. I just want to know should I separate them and keep bonding or should I leave them together. And she is pooping everywhere
- 12/27/2017 at 1:30 PM
  Bun
  Participant
  11 posts
  Also I have been working on the bonding for the two months she moved in 3 days ago and won’t leave his cage. I just want to know. I switched litter boxes and cages. The run was not a last ditch effort. It was an extension for third forever home.
- 12/27/2017 at 3:10 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  The girl seems very territorial, especially with the poops. I think you should keep them separate a little longer just for her to continue to get adjusted to the new environment, especially coming from abuse it is so important for you to bond with her before attempting to bond with another bun. Both buns need to be able to feel safe during the bonding process. And they fact that you’ve only had her for two months is not a long time.
- 12/27/2017 at 4:49 PM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  If she is pulling fur regularly then of course you need to keep them separate.
- 12/28/2017 at 5:20 AM
  Bun
  Participant
  11 posts
  I want to thank all of you that helped. She wasn’t pulling fur everytime just once or twice but she would nip at him or lounge forward. I took all of your avice and I put her in her cage. I put it inear the enclosure and his hutch. I will try to bond with her and him first then together. I read to let them bond, thats why I tried so quickly. How long should I keep them seperated? She climbs on the enclosure trying to get back in. She is friendlier to me now which is good.
- 12/28/2017 at 5:55 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  It’s not because she wants to be with him. It’s because she wants to chase him. Keep them apart completely for another 1-2 months and go through prebonding again while you bond with them individually. Switch their litters and toys and even switch them between the two cages. After 1-2 months start with short bonding sessions in a neutral space so your girl isn’t overly territorial.
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