Hmm, I would probably opt for the smooshing technique. When they’re in neutral territory, have them close together (between your knees for example) and pet them both for a few minutes. Then give them a treat and then immediately stop the session. You want to build up trust and by petting them and giving them treats they’re going to associate each other with something pleasant. You then stop the session before Jay tries to bite. Try this for a little while perhaps?

Posted By vdemske on 1/29/2018 8:34 PM

Thank you sarahthegemini! I will try that – I have a hard time wrangling the bunnies – do you sort of grab them and forcefully put them together? Do they try to bite in this situation?

Before I saw your reply, we had a quick bonding session – Jay didn’t try to bite but Lola boxed him out of fear… she’s pretty nervous with him.

I’ve never had to try this technique so I can’t be sure  but I think the idea is that they are too distracted by being pet to bite. I’ll let others with experience chime in on that! I’m wondering if it would be best to have a break for a week or two? Especially as Lola is nervous. Have a break, and let them calm down and then try the smooshing technique when you start back up? 

Your kitchen is probably not neutral enough, i would call it semi-neutral from what you described. Try to either disguise the space, or find a new area.

I’ve always had great progress with stressing. I don’t like to use a carrier for car rides, as it’s hard to intervene if they start squabbling, but a large plastic bin works great. Get someone to help you the first time. Alternatively a ride on top of the washing machine works great too and you don’t need a helper.

As for smooshing, I’ll wait till they go nose to nose on their own, then pet pet pet pet both of them and swap scents.

I have used my bathtub with mixed results, but found my bathroom floor works better. My bunnies are tall enough that they just try to escape from the tub, rather than just settling down and accepting their situation.

For the car ride, I will put a towel and some hay on the bottom of a bin, then put both bunnies in (at as close to the same time as possible). It helps to have someone there to prevent the first bun from jumping out (mine are tall enough that they can see out if they stand up fully). Then I use some cube grids (already zip tied together) as a lid and clip it on, and take them straight to the car.

Again, it is best to have a helper with you the first time, so one person can drive while the other supervises!

Sounds like you had some positives with your last session, so if the car ride isn’t possible, you can try the vacuum again. You can also have the vacuum running, and then drag the bin around a bit to simulate the car!

Jay laying down will really help Lola trust him, so that’s a very good sign!

That sounds like very good progress! Maybe the vacuum helped? Or maybe it was just time.

Eating and relaxing in each others presence is a great sign.

My first bond was tough, as Bunston was very scared of Bertha as she was aggressive towards him at first. But eventually, once Bertha started laying down he was able to learn to trust her. We got kinda stuck on that dynamic for a while (she would lay down, and Bunston would huddle in the corner). That went on for weeks, but eventually he trusted her enough to approach her and groom her, and then they were bonded and in separable just a few days after that. It sounds like Jay is now convinced that Lola isn’t a threat, and it’s good that he isn’t being aggressive towards her. Now Lola has to decide that she can trust Jay.

So yeah, just give it more time! The car ride might help Lola seek out Jay as a source of comfort. But, it sounds like what you’re doing is working, so if the car ride doesn’t help it seems like they will get there on their own eventually.

I would continue the sessions as you’ve been doing, and try to do a couple in a row that are 25 min. If you can get through those with no aggression, aim for 45 min or an hour. Then 2 hours, etc. It’s a balance between extending the sessions, and ending on a good note. If they get a little feisty, try to wait for several minutes after calming them down to end the session. Of course, when using stress techniques, make sure they aren’t getting too stressed (make sure both are eating and pooping, etc.)!

You might even try starting the session with a short car ride, then moving them into the larger bonding area for the rest of the time. If they start getting feisty, you can either vacuum or take them back to the car before ending the session.

I’ll just add that it is ideal to do bonding sessions every day if possible, especially when you get to a point of “tolerance” like you have.

That’s great!

Try a car ride with them together or go to Petsmart or a store where you can brind them and put them in the shopping cart and go shopping with them for about half an hour- this usually worked for me but it will take as long as it takes and it will take consistency and don’t forget you are the one in charge. I always told my bunnies they better get used to being friends and that they will have to get along becase THIS IS HAPPENING- bunnies are smarter than we give credit for. I am about to bond sadly for the 5th time in my 15 years of owning rabbits. It’s exhausting and sometimes you get to a point where you are ready to give up(been there) but if you stick it out and stay persisitent you will get where you want to go- YOU CAN DO IT!! Good luck!