Bonding a new bunny to a bonded pair

[CameronsMom814]

I have a bonded male & female pair, both Lionheads named Willow and Jasper.  I’ve also ended up with a rescue bunny who needed lots of medical attention. So as the {uh-hum} experienced bunny owner that I am, I decided to keep him even though I’ve never bonded a trio before. Although I’ve bonded many pairs over the years with success. I’ve done all the right things, neutral territory, car rides, pretty much everything there is to be done. I’ve done it any times, so I am not a novice. The male of my pair, Jasper, has actually bonded with the new boy pretty well. He grooms him and lays with him. Every now & then though he’ll dart or lunge at the new boy named “Lucky.” But my female Willow absolutely not having the situation. She chases & bites Lucky every chance she gets. I stream spray her with a spray bottle which is effective during the moment. But she will attempt again, especially if she knows I’m ‘not looking.’ It’s been several weeks now that I’ve been trying. The thing is, I really need them all to get along and live in the same room. My husband converted a walk-in closet in our home office into a 4 level bunny condo. The problem is also that Willow does not want the new boy “Lucky” in her environment. I know bunnies are territorial, but we need to move past this and get along. I’m exhausted from trying, overwhelmed with trying to allow them separation including two sets of litter boxes, hay, etc., and I just can’t sit with them 24/7. What I’ve been doing is putting the bonded pair in the condo and closing it off with gate, so they can still see each other. The new boy Lucky gets free run of the home office room. This is at night and when I’m away, or can’t keep an eye on them. Or I put Lucky in whatever room I’m in. So they are sort of living in the same space, but Willow is not happy. I know bunnies have to bond on their own time, and it can take months, or even a year, or more! But any new tried and true advice is greatly appreciated here to get this hater to change her way. Thanks! 

[DanaNM]

I’m interested to hear what the trio bonders have to say here, but have you been doing sessions with each combo, or all three together?

My understanding is that some trios progress best with all three in the session together, and others do best when you do sessions with just the two that have the most issues.

How long have you been working with them?

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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