Bonding Winslow and Poppet

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I’ll start with the backstory: I adopted Poppet from a rescue in August to be a companion for my first rabbit, Winslow. His foster mom did the introduction with me and it went well. Winslow was very interested in Poppet, but Poppet showed little interest in Winslow. Winslow even groomed Poppet’s forehead for a few seconds which we both thought was great. Winslow briefly mounted Poppet but we stopped that after a few moments. By the end of the intro, about thirty minutes in, we felt like we should end because Winslow nipped Poppet and they both seemed tired. We decided that we’d move forward in adopting/bonding.

I moved really slowly in the bonding sessions after that, desperate not to let them fight. Winslow got a few nips in, but nothing serious. Bonding was sporadic, as I began a new school year (I’m a college senior and an education major, working in schools) which has slowed things down. I felt like Winslow was definitely warming up to Pop in these sessions, and twice he flopped right beside Poppet. 

This week I’ve been more dedicated, making sure to bond everyday for at least 30 minutes. They’re at the point now where Poppet sometimes seems scared of Winslow, but Winslow isn’t particularly aggressive. They go nose to nose and I pet both to keep them calm. Winslow moves his face from one side of Pop’s to the other, I’m assuming he’s waiting to be groomed, which Poppet never does. This is surprising to me, because Poppet is extrememly affectionate towards me, and licks me all the time. I don’t know why he won’t lick Wins! Wins has become frustrated a few times and tried to nip Poppet but no damage done, and Poppy doesn’t even seem to notice much.

Any advice for moving forward? Thanks!

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I forgot to add, they are both neutered males. Winslow is a year old, neutered last December, and the rescue I adopted Poppet from told me they thought he was five or so, and he was neutered in January. Wins is a Lionhead and Pop is a Netherland Dwarf.

[Irina]

Hello! I am sure someone with more bonding experience will pipe in here. In the meantime, a few questions: where are they, and how big is the space they are being bonded in? Have you done the pre-bonding routine: swapping blankets/litter/cages so they both get used to each other’s smells? What about a “stunt” bunny- a stuffed animal for each bun that you run on each to get their scent all over it, then put the stuffies on the opposite bunny’s cage? May make Poppet less afraid of Winslow if the stuffie that smells like him is passive and not scary?Have you tried putting a piece of banana on Winslow’s forehead to “trick” Poppet into licking him? Sometimes grooming is not so essential to bonding, but perhaps it is to Winslow.

Those are my thoughts, perhaps with more information, others may be able to help more!

Good luck!

[WinslowAndPoppet]

They are each housed in two story extra large dog crates (separately, of course!) that are side by side. They have exercise time in the same area, but are just let out at separate times. I’ve switched their crates and litter boxes, but not in the last few weeks. I have also switched blankets.

I typically bond them between three neutral locations: bathtub, a corner of the kitchen, and the floor of the laundry room. I considered stress bonding at one point, but I think Winslow’s nips are out of frustration, not true aggression. I have thought about the banana trick, I think that will be the next thing I try! Poppet is crazy about food and treats (meaning carrots, fruit, etc. – not store-bought treats) so I think that is a good idea. Plus he licks everything else, so I don’t know why he won’t lick Wins! Thanks for your input!

[Irina]

Sound like you are doing a lot of the right things already! I would recommend continuing to switch cages (which is easier than switching litter/blankets etc. I agree that the stress bonding may not be helpful if there really isn’t aggression, but more frustration- although someone with more experience may have a different opinion.

What is happening between nips? Are they ignoring each other? Co existing? Or some lounging together?

Another thing I wondered after submitting my last thoughts: what is the size difference between the two? Is Winslow a lot bigger than Poppet?

[WinslowAndPoppet]

Poppet is typically in a corner and Winslow explores a little more and when he goes up to Pop’s face I rub both to keep everybody calm. Winslow did flop by Poppet in a few earlier sessions but not this week. We seem to be stuck in a bit of a rut!

[Irina]

That sounds somewhat like Tofu and Butterscotch when they were being bonded. They settled it when Butterscotch gave in and groomed Tofu. Hopefully the banana trick will work!

[MoveDiagonally]

Stress bonding is a tool that can be used in a couple different ways. I primarily use it for curbing aggression but I know others have had success with using it to increase or establish trust between non-aggressive rabbits as well. Essentially the goal of stress bonding is to encourage them to rely/seek comfort in one another which in turn brings them closer. I tend to think stress bonding is pretty necessary for bonding aggressive rabbits because while it may sound counter intuitive it usually makes bonding safer for them (some super aggressive rabbits will still fight during stress bonding). With non aggressive rabbits I don’t think it’s necessary but I do think it’s a great tool and worth a try if you’re up for it.

Being stuck in a rut sucks! Usually I move forward in the process when I feel stuck. So if I’m in neutral and not making progress I move to semi neutral and so on. If you move forward and things change in a way that makes you think they’re not ready you can always take a step back. Each bond is different and sometimes trial and error is the best way to figure out what they need to make the relationship work.

Best of luck!

[WinslowAndPoppet]

Progress tonight! We bonded in the kitchen, but I had it blocked off to a very small area. Winslow groomed Poppet, although it was a little rough, but I think I’ve read that grooming at first can be amost like nibbling? Anyway, after that, Winslow lowered his head to be groomed, Pop grunted and backed away and Winslow thumped, offended! This occurred again a bit later and Winslow may have nipped Poppet, but I tend to think that Poppet is just skittish and backed away because he doesn’t quite trust Winslow. After Poppet ran away, he immediately ran back and scooted his backside into the same corner that Winslow had his backside in! So they were squished together, side by side! This has never happened, and this was also the first time any grooming has occurred since Winslow groomed Poppet in their very first intro. I plan to try the banana trick next, and see if I can get Pop to groom WIns.

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I tried the banana trick last night and it worked, in terms of Poppet grooming the banana off of Winslow’s head, but he didn’t continue to groom after the banana was gone. I did that twice. Then Poppet clearly wanted to be groomed and they did their usual face-off. Winslow nipped Poppet once. But after the first grooming, they lounged together for a bit. I’ll include a picture:

[WinslowAndPoppet]

I wanted to update our progress and request further advice.. Tonight’s bonding session is going something like this: Winslow lowering his head to Poppet for grooming, Poppet running away (usually by jumping over Winslow’s head), Winslow flopping multiple times directly beside Pop, and one time Poppet even grunted and pawed at Wins. It seems clear that Wins loves Pop but Pop is either completely disinterested or scared or both. Help!

[Zombie-Sue]

I don’t think your assertions are accurate, this is all pretty normal. It sounds to me like they are just trying to work out who’s in charge.

That Winslow is flopping is a great sign, and it means you’re making progress.

[WinslowAndPoppet]

Thank you for the input, zombie-sue! I’ll just continue to be patient and let them sort things out. Tonight there was a lot of ignoring, some nipping from Winslow, and some running away/pawing from Poppet. Winslow flopped twice, once directly beside Poppet.

[Author]

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