Bonded Rabbits / Possible Dominance Issue

[Laurizzle7]

Rocket: Male, 4.5yrs, neutered, Netherland Dwarf

BunBun: Female, 5.5yrs, spayed, Holland Lop

They have been bonded for about 1.5 years. I’ve notices that Rocket is very dominant in the relationship. He needs to be with BunBun 24.7. He chases her around during playtime in a small bedroom and always wants to be mounting her. In the cage he isn’t as bad, but he is the one always mounting, grabbing, and grooming. BunBun tolerates him most of the time but runs away just as much when she can. Sometimes when he is grooming her when she lays down it looks like he is reallllly trying to get down there and groom her… almost like biting? One time I did see him grab a bunch of her fur and pull up, about half an inch off her body was her skin being pulled back. I looked at her back where he grabs here when he mounts and it looks like he’s starting to great a bald patch and some raw skin is forming. It’s not terrible, very small but it’s starting and getting noticeable because she is a Holland Lop.

Any advice on his behavior? What can I do? I’m worried he is stressing BunBun out to much, but he gets really anxious if they are ever separated. He acts like an overly attached boyfriend 95% of the time. How do I make them both happy and safe? 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

When two dogs play and it looks like dog A is bullying dog B, the best way to tell is to hold dog A (the “bully) and see if dog B runs for safety, takes off, or tries to engage with dog A. If the bully is a bully, the dog being bullied will be relieved and try to get away. If not, they were just playing.

I think you could do the same “check” here. If there is behaviour going on you are concerned about, hold Rocket, and see what Bunbun does.

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