Bullying behavior?

[Erin]

I posted a few days ago about bonding my overly dominant male rabbit with an extremely submissive female. I’d made some progress in the bonding process but nothing too promising. Then another two nights ago they started fighting. It seems like it started because my male wouldn’t stop mounting my female (even after my frequent interventions) and she eventually got fed up and went after him a little bit. Ever since that incident, I feel like I’ve seen some bullying behavior in my male. He’s just been very irritable in general. He’s upset with me, thumping his foot, even honking, every time he sees me. I’ve noticed with him, he only ever honks in upsetting situations rather than exciting ones. He picks fights with the female every time I have them in a bonding space. Even if she just moves a little bit he runs at her. He’s never drawn blood, but it seems like he’s nipping at her for no reason. As soon as he sees her, he’s nipping at her butt. He comes up to her face and nibbles on her ears and neck. Not grooming behavior, he’s definitely biting at her ears. I feel bad because I know I’ve slightly reinforced the behavior because when it gets bad enough, I give him what he wants and I separate them. I’m just wondering if this sounds like bullying behavior. I think my last option is gonna be stress bonding. But I’m not sure if that will be worthwhile because it doesn’t seem like they’re compatible. But if he doesn’t work out with this bunny, then I don’t know if he’ll work out another. Is it possible my male is just not suited for a bond?

He’s a teenager and she’s an adult. There’s a considerable age gap with him only 6 months and her 5 years. There’s also been a lot of circling that I’ve had to break up in attempts to prevent fights. I’ve also seen my male literally jump on top of my female and attack her. He had very few issues with her in the beginning, then things got a little tense, and then my male went into full blown “I hate you” mode towards both me and my female. Is it a hopeless bond? And is it worth pursuing the bond when my male may keep attacking my female?

[Erin]

Oh and as an added note I’ve tried switching the rabbits between their two separate spaces and body doubles and everything I can to get them used to each other’s scents. Could also consider setting them up side by side with a barrier between them, but I’m not sure that would be a permanent solution that would ever lead to a solidified bond.

[Mikey]

Careful on the ear and neck nipping. Those are very thin areas that can bleed pretty easily if he bites too hard. Try shorter sessions, and try with them in a smaller area. Such as a box. Put them in a box together and watch them. When either does anything they shouldnt, wiggle the box enough to spook them, but not enough to harm them. Do sessions like this 10 minutes at a time, as often as possible. Start here. When they can handle 10 minutes in the box without you needing to wiggle the box, move to 20 minute sessions as often as possible. If after a few days of 10 minute sessions your male really cannot stand her, stop with bonding. It will not work. He is only getting worse so starting this small is kind of a last ditch effort

[Author]

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