A Good Sign?

[dlscanne]

I had paused bonding Frank and Winston first of all because they both developed minor health problems (that are now resolved).  Also Winston was so darn mad that I figured if it was mostly hormone driven, as the vet had suggested, then it would be easier for everyone if I gave him some time.

That was almost a month ago.  I was going to wait longer to bond again, but I noticed that the past week Winston hadn’t been trying to attack, lunge, and growl at Franklin when she came near his pen.  Before it was literally every time she came near.  Now they nap together through the bars.

I tried again today in the tub.  I would like to try the car method, but it is just about -10F here (brrrrr) so I don’t even want to take them on the short journey from my apartment to the car.  I feel like that is illness waiting to happen.  Also, I do laundry at the laundromat next door, so a jostle on the washer isn’t really an option either.  I’ve been switching their pens 1-2 times a day for several hours, litter boxes included. 

At first Winston was up to his usual tricks and was NOT excited to see Franklin.  When he lunged, I used a pillow to block Franklin.  This went on for probably 2 minutes.  Then, Franklin came up to Winston and he froze.  Franklin licked Winston’s back and put her head under his to be groomed.  He didn’t budge.  He didn’t seem scared, but not thrilled either…definitely tense.  His ears weren’t pinned, but were back a little.  He was sitting upright against the tub. They both sat like that, frozen, for probably 3 minutes.  Then Franklin groomed Winston’s head.  Winston still didn’t move .  This went back and forth for probably about 5 minutes, until Winston nipped and growled a little, but not quite so aggressively.  He then let Franklin lick him again.  At this point I put them back.

What do you guys think?  Is Franklin trying to be dominant?  What do you think Winston’s action’s mean? 

[MarkBun]

Anytime one bun grooms another bun, it is a great sign.

They are both trying to establish dominance. They’re not sure who is top dog yet so it depends on who bends/er licks first. I think that Franklin’s grooming was like “I am here, and I will allow you to be my slave, so groom me.” Winston sat there there saying “Nope.” By the end, I think that Franklin was just trying to get Winston to acknowledge his existance.

An indoor alternative to the car ride/dryer ride is the bungee ride. Using bungee cords, suspend the carrier in your apartment and put the buns in there. If they begin to fight, their movements will cause the box to shuffle and bounce, which should calm them down once they realize what’s up. You could also attach a rope to the bungees or the carrier and tug on it if they begin to act up. Or just continuously rock it for a few minutes. I liked to watch a TV show and just keep on tugging on the rope until commercials, then let them alone for the commercials so they could move a little, then begin again when the show started up.

I suspended it with bungee cords from my bedroom doorknob to my front door knob.

[Author]

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