First Time Bonder: Effy and Oliver

[Allophenic]

Hey, everyone.

I’m a first time Bonder, and I’m just starting the bonding process. I’m sure I’ll need lots of help, so please give me your suggestions!

So, I just brought home the new bun yesterday, his names Oliver. They met twice at the shelter and showed excellent signs, there was grooming, and flopping and cuddling. However, now that he’s at home, Effy is being pretty territorial. For the moment I’m letting them out of their cages in turns, so Oliver can get used to his new home without Effy bothering him. Oliver is spending must of his time next to Effy in her cage, even though she’s lunging at him. I’m going to try a semi-neutral zone later today, which is outside where Effy plays. Hopefully Effy will quit being a little Princess soon.

[tanlover14]

Hey there,

For bonding — you need a TOTALLY neutral territory. If he is still territorial in the area you described, move them somewhere neither has ever been before. Bonding in non-neutral territory can really cause a lot of hardships that you wouldn’t have to deal with and will make the bonding process go much smoother. By keeping them in semi-neutral territory you are encouraging them to fight over something that could easily be prevented. As they did so well in dates at the shelter, I would switch it up. Even if you have to do some bonding sessions in box, bath tub, or laundry basket. HAS to be neutral as your bunny is clearly frustrated over this new bunnies smell in his area.

Try flip-flopping cages also, this may help with his territorial problems. As well as putting a towel with the other bunnys scent in “his” area so he can learn to be comfortable with the new bunny smell in territory he considers his own.

[Allophenic]

Thanks! I’ve taken them in the bathroom together twice now and the territorial fighting has stopped. I tried the bath tub to force them to be closer but Oliver flipped out and frantically tried to get out. I’ve got towels in their cages that I switch every other night, to try and get them used to each others scents.
Sometimes Oliver will try to sit next to Effy buy as soon as she moves he runs runs off. Today I ended the session by encouraging them close to each other with raisins and then letting them eat one face to face. Hopefully they will start to associate one another with treats soon

[Allophenic]

Doing much better with the fighting! They often put there heads down together wanting to be groomed, but neither of them wants to go first.

We’ll get there!

[tanlover14]

Yes! Associating treats and good things is PERFECT for bonding. I ALWAYS ended my bonding sessions by doing face-to-face treat giving.

That is just a dominance battle thing which they’ll get over as soon as one of them gives in. Haha! You can try smearing banana on their heads to trick them into grooming each other!

[Allophenic]

I seem to be stalling! They’re at an impasse. They don’t fight anymore, but they won’t be friendly. They just bow their heads down to each other, but neither of them will groom first. What do I do? How long did it take for your rabbits to start grooming?

[LittlePuffyTail]

As long as there is no fighting, it’s going well. It takes time for some bunnies to “fall in love”. And there are pairs who don’t groom at all. Sometimes grooming is one-sided. As they spend more time together, they will warm up to each other.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

My two buns Baxter and Boo have been bonded for about 8 months now.  I’ve seen Baxter, the more aggressive bunny groom Boo  who is more gentle/timid…and yet to see Boo groom Baxter.   Baxter will lay his head down hoping Boo will groom him – but he doesn’t seem upset when refused.  My husband and I pet Baxter quite a bit – so maybe he’s satisfied.  

[tanlover14]

I agree with everyone else – it’s not about grooming at all. They simply have to be comfortable with each other – no aggression, lounging around (not being on alert around each other). The typical way of saying they’re bonded is by how much affection they show each other but more if you can leave them together with no fights or scuffles.

Try doing long bonding sessions (while doing your own thing) – leave them for a few minutes, come back in. See what your comfort levels are that they’re not going to break out into a fight. And how they do being alone together.

[Allophenic]

They did super well today! They just sat face to face for a good five minutes and their eyes slowly started to close and they ended up taking a little nap together! I’m comfortable with leaving them in the neutral area, but Effy is still a little aggressive in her area. Usually I sit Effy in front of me and pet her (cause as long as I’m scratching her ears she zonks out), and I let Oliver wander around her. Any tips on introducing them together in a non neutral area?

[Allophenic]

Thanks for the help so far too!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Aww…..bunny naps…so sweet

Make sure to go from neutral to semi-neutral to non-neutral. Don’t skip the semi-neutral.

[tanlover14]

^ agreed.

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