Bonding is Failing – Please Help

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

I posted in another thread about how my bonding was going after 1 week. They would fight occassionally, but we were always able to put them next to each other and pet them, calming them down and ending sessions on a good note. Now it has been 2 weeks and things have gone rapidly downhill. My adoption counselor from the shelter suggested that we try a bigger bonding space for them because they were fighting way too much in the bathtub. 

We moved to our entryway.. when we keep the area larger – they mostly avoid each other, but when Hank approaches Dorothy, she chases him away (not in a slow, playful way either). After ten minutes, we made the space smaller. Hank would approach Dorothy, she would attack him, he would attack back, and this continued a few more times. Fur everywhere. We tried to put them next to each other to pet them both at the same time as this had worked before in calming them down, and they both tried to scurry away desperately and he would jump in the litterbox as soon as we released them… She would avoid him, cowering and/or peeing in the corner and again act defensively when he would approach her.

We were going to do stress bonding, but I now think a complete reset is our best option, giving them a break. I have read on here that the break should be 2 months. I have also read 3 weeks. Does anyone have experience with a difficult bonding like this? 

The only reason I chose Hank was because they seemed to like each other so much in the initial speed dates at the shelter. Now that we have officially adopted Hank, they don’t like each other. I’m feeling desperate and sad to be constantly stressing the two bunnies. PLEASE HELP!

[Mikey]

I agree, a complete reset would be best. They both sound like they are reacting in fear of one another. A complete reset takes up to 3 months. When I had to do a complete reset, I only had to wait one full month. In your situation, I would go one month in completely separated rooms, and then one month in the same room close enough that they can see and smell but cannot reach, with daily item swapping (prebonding)

[DorothyTheMiniSatinBun]

After also discussing with my adoption counselor, we decided on 1 month of complete separation, then prebonding. She also suggested the use of something called Bachs Rescue Remedy to calm down Dorothy. Thank you for your help.

[Luna]

I agree with Mikey that a reset would be the best choice. I hope things go well after their break .

[Author]

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