Dominance shift?? Help!

[Tiffany K.]

Hello! My fiance, Jason, and I got our lovely 3-4lb. Holland Lop (Barnaby) about 9 months ago, and he is just under a year old. We have wanted to bond him with another bun, but anticipated that it might be a long bond to begin with (the first two buns he met, it didn’t go well). So, we went to meet Meadow (Mini-Lop, 6 lbs.) yesterday, not expecting to come home with another rabbit. But, when we got there, they got along really well. Barnaby was mounting her and she was tolerating, they were sharing a little box, licking banana off each other’s heads. We split up one scuffle, but other than that, it was great. So, we brought her home. Things went well for a few hours… Read on!!!

(FYI: Both buns have been neutered/spayed for a while).

This is the email I just wrote the Meadow’s foster mother who has had experience bonding buns and who lead the intro yesterday:

So Barnaby and Meadow had a great day yesterday. Before Jason went out to get the bigger litter box, Meadow was in a triangle litter box, filling it completely! and Barnaby was somehow managing to hop in and snuggle with her. I got a cute picture with his head on top of hers- did you get it in the text?

 

Late last night, Meadow tried to mount Barnaby, but he wasn’t having it. So we broke up a scuffle, but she kept trying to mount him and they would start fighting. So, we split them up last night by a single gate, they could still touch noses and see each other, but we were able to sleep knowing that they would not be fighting. The night was fine and this morning they were sniffing each other when we got up. We would have kept them together had they not been still “on edge” when we went to bed.

 

So, this morning we pulled the gate and they were together again, sniffing, ignoring. I don’t know who tried to mount who, but a fight broke out and we had a very hard time breaking it up because they were moving so fast. In the end, Meadow bit Barnaby and there was fur everywhere. She broke the skin, but it didn’t bleed and when I ran my fingers over it, Barnaby didn’t flinch. 

 

Originally we had the x-pen in the living room where Barnaby used to hang out. We thought maybe it wasn’t neutral enough, so we moved it into the hallway. They’ve been there all day, together (I was sick and stayed home today). It started out slow, but eventually they started moving around each other and things were fine. They were together all day today, and I only had to break up one almost-fight at around 11am. (What was scary was that Barnaby kept lunging to keep fighting but I was blocked him with my hands/shoes). It wasn’t until tonight when Barnaby tried to mount Meadow again and she was not happy about it. 

 

So here is the situation now: Barnaby and Meadow are together in the hallway. Barnaby has been licking Meadow’s head pretty regularly all day. They eat together, share litter boxes and water bottles. She’s flopping all the time. Barnaby, though, is still trying to mount Meadow every now and then and we usually have to clap, yell, or break it up (I put sneakers on my hands and just plant my hands on the floor between them). We took them for a car ride tonight and they were huddled together, and ignored each other when we got home. Ninety percent of the time, they are doing fine. 

 

So here are my questions!:

-I will keep an eye on Barnaby’s bite, but is there anything I should put on it or clean it with as a preventative caution?

-Meadow doesn’t groom Barnaby. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but she won’t let him mount her now either. I’m assuming this is okay but was wondering if she doesn’t like him anymore? Do you think that she just got sick of it all of a sudden?

-Meadow tried to mount Barnaby I think twice tonight- Is she trying to be the dominant one now? Are we going to have a battle for dominance?

-Is the mounting something that they’re going to work through, and how does this happen without them fighting?

-I know you said not to separate them, but during the day when we’re not here I’m nervous. Meadow clearly has a couple pounds on Barnaby and I know he doesn’t stand a chance- AND he kept lunging earlier today which tells me that he doesn’t know when to back down. We’re probably going to separate them with the single gate tomorrow during the day, but I want to know what you think about it.

-Anything else you can think of that might help??

 

I’m feeling hopeful. I absolutely love Meadow- she is so friendly and sweet. I’ve learned so much today already, and can clearly read bunny body language now. I’ve found that talking to them calmly really helps out tense situations, with little pets on the heads. 

 

We aren’t going to separate them tonight, they are literally at our bedroom door so we will keep watch

 

ADDITION:

 

Hi everyone- So, Barnaby tried to mount Meadow again so we broke up a fight. We brought them on the couch and put them side by side and calmed them down with pets and talking. We put them back, and they are both flopped about a foot away from each other. I know this is good, but I also know the Barnaby WILL try to mount her again. Help me??

[Deleted User]

There are stages in bonding, and mounting can be a stubborn phase.They need more sessions and cannot be unsupervised yet. I would try nestling them together in a small box for scent emerging and calm petting and later on use a scent-infused stunt double in a larger space such as the bathroom too diffuse the excessive mounting. Be patient, it will resolve but restrain their zest for mounting or biting by having your hands in the box with them and administering head grooms or even keeping the bunny being mounted calm by head grooms.
About the bite, it should be OK but watch for changes in it.

[Monkeybun]

Wait a tick.. they told you NOT to separate them, even though you just got her? Definitely keep them separated when not in sessions with you right there. Bu8nnies can be very territorial, and you need to stay on your toes to stop any fights before they get too bad.

[Tiffany K.]

 Yeah, I don’t trust the buns for two seconds together, so I have to watch them like a hawk. Things have progressed. Barnaby kept flopping right next to Meadow, rubbing up against her, wanting to be groomed, and grooming her. Meadow was more indifferent so Barnaby just followed her around. She is okay with a little mounting, only when I am petting her head, though. I had to break up quite a few scuffles today, so don’t worry- they are never together and alone!

[Monkeybun]

Oh good, I got a little worried there Glad they are progressing nicely

[Tiffany K.]

 Problem solved! Buns are bonded

[Monkeybun]

yay! Congrats

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