Merry & Banner update

[cainan]

Hi all,

After some really bad sessions w/the buns, I’ve decided to start to attempt the bonding again.  I had been using the bathtub, but they just kept fighting, so I tried something new this weekend.  I opted for a bigger neutral space – my bed!  It seemed to work well – it allowed them to be close if they wanted to be, and allowed Merry to run away without actually getting into a fight.  Running away is better than fighting, yes?

Banner’s being such a dork – he’s got absolutely no finesse.  He has the whole “GIVE ME GROOMING NOW!” behavior (oy) but there have also been times where he’s been running around or exploring or trying to give me kisses and he’ll step on Merry or stick his butt in her face as if she wasn’t even there.  Short attention span

Merry DID allow him to do a little bit of grooming (yay) – but I do mean a little.  I’m getting the impression that she’s never been groomed by another bunny before so when Banner clumsily tries to clean her face she freaks out and thinks he’s trying to eat her or something lol.  Generally she seems to be scared of him, and I don’t know if it’s lack of experience or his aggression or what.  Both times she ended up flattened on top of a pillow in the “I’m flat so you can’t see me” position.  AND she peed on my bed last night when I guess it got to be too much *grumble*

Anyhow, does this sound more promising than the fighting before… the running away?  Also, Banner obsessively grooms me – should I not allow him to do that during the sessions?  I don’t know if it shows Merry that it’s safe or if it makes her jealous!

[RabbitPam]

I think it’s kind of a “Mom likes me best, see?” behavior on his part, like the butt view, but it definitely sounds better. In fact, to me, it sounds promising. They are feeling their way around their relationship with each other, the turf, and you. If you want them to be more focused on each other, you could remove yourself (not far) from their space for a bit to see if they are showing any more improvement without you to compete over.

bunnies do get jealous. I don’t have a second bun, but sometimes I fuss over a stuffed toy bunny, and someone runs right over to see who is getting pets besides her.

[cainan]

ah ha! As I suspected. And here I was thinking that having bunnies was easier than having kids

I will definitely try “staying away” next time. I’ve GOT to get these two bonded! I just don’t have enough time in a day to have two separate playtimes.

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