1st Bonding Session – Update & Advice needed

[LuvMyLops]

Hi,

Thumper and Tigger are male Holland Lop siblings that we seperated in early Jan after a fight. They are now almost 6 months old and were neutered a month ago.

We did prebonding during the last 3 weeks or so and yesterday we put them both together in neutral territory and all was well until Thumper started humping Tigger (he did that when they were together too, before the fight)…….we thought that was not good and seperated them, it happened again so we put them back in their cages. Before the humping, they were just circling/sniffing each other and the humping happened within minutes, so they didn’t get that much playtime together.

I read after, that humping can be a neutral sign in bonding: 

Some neutral signs in a first bunny date: 

– Humping. Mounting can mean “it is important to me to appear to be the rabbit in control” or it can be an invitation to chase, mount, and be the boss. 

– Nipping and minor chasing. 



It has been a month since having them neutered……Should I continue bonding them or wait a few more weeks because of the humping??

Thank you in advance.

[LuvMyLops]

We just put both of them in the bathtub but they tried to jump out so we put them on the bathroom floor instead.

1. Thumper continues to hump Tigger who mostly just sits and lets him or moves away. We only moved them apart them when Thumper was humping Tigger’s face.
2. Thumper was humping and biting Tigger’s fur…….little bit of fur was on the floor after. Moved them apart but this continued a few times.
3. Thumper just layed out on the floor and Tigger started to lick him around the head /neck/front feet areas.
4. They just sat around near each other.

We ended this session at that point & will have another session later.
How does this bonding session sound like it went??

[Deleted User]

The humping should subside once they establish their hierarchy and determine who is top bun. Seems that Thumper is taking on that role quite assertively

It’s actually good that Tigger isn’t fighting back. It’s still early and buns can be tricky, but it seems like Tigger is willing to let Thumper be top bun, which should make things a bit easier. Just make sure that you push Thumper off of Tigger if Tigger seems to be getting distressed. You can let the humping continue some so that Thumper feels confident that he has *ahem* asserted himself.

Sounds like it was an overall positive first session!

[LuvMyLops]

Posted By BunNoob on 4/13/2018 2:28 PM

The humping should subside once they establish their hierarchy and determine who is top bun. Seems that Thumper is taking on that role quite assertively

It’s actually good that Tigger isn’t fighting back. It’s still early and buns can be tricky, but it seems like Tigger is willing to let Thumper be top bun, which should make things a bit easier. Just make sure that you push Thumper off of Tigger if Tigger seems to be getting distressed. You can let the humping continue some so that Thumper feels confident that he has *ahem* asserted himself.

Sounds like it was an overall positive first session!

Thank you for the reply. Tigger is used to it from before they were seperated, Thumper has always been the dominant one.

Only thing concerning us is the fur biting, it doesn’t seem like Thumper is trying to bite skin but more like bite off Tiggers fur (hope that makes sense)…….is this ok at this point & I assume we should move them apart when this happens vs leaving them be??

[Deleted User]

I’ve always been told that some fur pulling during mounting is normal. He probably isn’t trying to break the skin. I would let the mounting go just for a few seconds (like 10 seconds or less) and then push Thumper off. Eventually he will get the idea that he’s done enough of that.

[Harley&Thumper]

When I was bonding Harley and Thumper, I didn’t break up any humping unless it was a reverse mount. I would just pet the bunny being humped. I think it’s important to remember that bonding isn’t one size fits all and that there are multiple paths to success.

[Deleted User]

Harley&Thumper is right, it’s not one size fits all. But I still do recommend not letting the humping go beyond 10 seconds. Simply because you just don’t want to push it, ya know? The one being mounted could be ok with it initially, but if it continues and they’re upset by it, it could trigger a fight. Then you’re just back at square 1. So all I’m saying is just don’t push your luck

[LuvMyLops]

The last session yesterday got really interesting LoL………….Tigger turned the tables on Thumper and was constanly trying to hump him, but Thumper was not having it. They didn’t fight but we had to keep pulling them apart until they both calmed down and just sat around and at that point we ended that session.
This morning they both mostly sniffed each other sat around, no humping at all.
Will update in a couple of days.

[LuvMyLops]

Just realised I could edit the title & not start a new post, so I will just update in this post.

It has been 9 days and sessions have increased from 10 mins 4 times a day to 45-60 mins 4 times a day.
They pretty much groom, lick and lay next/near each other during the sessions. There was no humping after the first few days but Thumper started humping Tigger again in the last 2 sessions…..no fights, Tigger just moves/runs away or we stop it after 10 seconds.

Since they are getting along well is there any way to speed up (Fastrack) the Bonding & would you recomend it?
If so, what would be the next steps?

Thank you in advance.

[Author]

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