First time bonding, help!

[Shani]

Hi all,

I created an account just to see if I could get people’s perspectives on our bonding situation.

We very recently adopted a desexed male bunny, Merlin (almost 4 years old) from a shelter, as a husbun for our (also desexed) female bunny, Willow (also a rescue, we’ve had her for about a year and a half. We estimate she’s around 2 years old).

Willow is fairly timid but has bonded with us well, she can be very affectionate when she wants to be and is usually happy to receive all the pats and cuddles! She’s fairly obstinate with us too, not a fan of being picked up and will stomp at us when it’s time to go to the vet etc.

Her first date with Merlin at the shelter went well, they mostly ignored each other (he was pretty keen on exploring the room).

From what they told us at the shelter, and from how he is with us, we think he’s actually got a lot of love to give! It’s only been a week and he’s already grooming us, and is very brave around us.

However, their dating has been challenging. She gets fed up with his mounting after about 3 goes and is quick to get aggressive if he doesn’t back off or settle down, she will try to bite him (we usually intercede at this point, and even wearing oven mitts have a few war wounds on our hands). He will fight back at this point also, so we seperate them and let them try again after a while.

One of the main issues is that he’s just WAY too keen. He won’t give her any space, he won’t groom her etc. Just lots of mounting and nipping. He often tucks his head under hers, so we think he’s asking for kisses but- no dice.

She won’t have a bar of it and he’s never tried to groom her, he just nips/bites her a lot, which we do our best to stop.

They do have moments of peaceful coexistence, but they don’t last long during the bonding sessions.

As for their set ups, all “dates” take place in a neutral area (kitchen) with lots of toys and treats etc, and we have mitts and a spray bottle handy.

They are living in the same room (they have the whole room) in 2 seperate enclosures. We’re swapping them every day, so they don’t feel like one is “their” space, and we did a deep clean before we got Merlin as it was previously Willow’s space.

Any tips, tricks or encouragement would be welcome. He’s a very sweet little dude and we don’t want to give up just yet. Thanks!

[DanaNM]

It sounds like things are going OK, and they prob just need some more time, and probably some more settling in time.

Since you’ve only had Merlin a week (if my interpretation is correct), I would pause for a moment and let him just settle into his new home for a week with no side swaps or bonding sessions. I’ve noticed sometimes that bun’s nervousness can translate to mounting and that type of behavior in bonding sessions, even if they don’t seem afraid.

Then I would do a bit more pre-bonding side swaps (without actual bonding sessions) for another couple of weeks. I’ve found that this really can help with the obsessive high energy mounting situation you’ve described.

Then continue the side swaps but resume your sessions. I have a strong feeling he will be more calm once you resume.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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