Bunny Bully (UPDATE 8/8/13)

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

I am happy to report – ever since that day that I locked up Baxter 3x after each incident where he chased Boo into the man cave (and freed Boo), Baxter has not kicked him out of the living room.  And Boo has been getting more brave, and hanging in the hall outside of the man cave.  He hasn’t returned to sleeping behind the couch with Baxter….but I believe we’re making progress!  And I feel so happy for Boo, that he’s not limited just to the man cave.

Happy for baby steps with my buns…

———————————–———————————

(Original Post)

Although my 2 boys are neutered and bonded – Baxter tends to bully Boo.  

Whenever Boo tries to come out of the man cave – Baxter will chase him, till Boo returns to the man cave. The man cave is where we keep the boys while we sleep – but I feel bad for Boo that he hardly gets out of this room.

Yesterday – everytime Baxter chased Boo to the man cave, I would close the gate and keep Baxter locked up in the man cave – pick up Boo, and take him to the living room.  This however upset both buns – as Boo hates to be picked up.  

How can I discourage bunny bullying?  Any advice is greatly appreciated.  

[Winnie The Pooh]

I’m not sure, my last bunnies were sisters and they hated eachother much like sisters. They lived outside and sometimes they accidentally got locked out in the run, they would chase eachother non stop especially when we gave them their pellets. After awhile they started to calm down but there was always one that was the alpha.
Maybe that’s what Baxter is doing, showing Boo that he is the alpha. I’ve heard that rabbits of the same sex normally fight.
Do they fight when they are both in the man cave?

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

Winnie The Poo: Your bunny in your avatar pic is so super adorable!

Actually since Boo won’t stand up for himself (with the exception of food) – they never fight. Baxter will nip him in the butt, and chase him in the man cave, but they’ve never fought. I do believe Baxter is trying to enforce his dominance over Boo – but it really bothers me that Baxter confines Boo to the man cave.

We’ve been saying No – and even getting in the way when Baxter chases Boo…. but not sure what else to do.

[mia]

First, are the really bonded? I think bonded has a wide definition.
Mine buns have fights and it can get really bad but it’s a two way fight though for different reasons. If possible I try to discourage it as much as possible by spraying the offender with a water bottle and petting the one getting “abused.” At the same time, I don’t interfere with every tiff they get into because they may learn to not do it in my presence but behind my back.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

Miaeih: I’m pretty sure they’re bonded. They’ve been living peacefully together for almost 1 year now. They’re not really cuddly – but they will lie near each other…and groom each other, albeit not nearly as often as Baxter would like. I think withholding grooming is Boo’s only way to protest…but I have seen Boo give in on occasion, and have seen Baxter groom Boo pretty frequently. They never fight – but again, it’s probably because Boo is so submissive.

I’ve wondered if I should just let Baxter chase Boo – but I hate the idea that Baxter confines Boo to only 1 room 🙁

[Author]

Messages