Need Bonding Advise x

[annie.lilyandbear]

Hello my name is Annie and I have recently rescued a male companion (Bear) for my little madame (Lily).  Though i have alot of experience with housebuns i have never bondeded two rabbits  and am finding the whole experience exxxceeedddddinnggllyy stressfull!!!!!

They have both been neutered/spayed and have been living cage by cage for the last month. 

I am now at the stage where i am introducing them in neurual territory.  I have decided on using my very small bathroom with some new toys and a big bowl of fresh vegtables.

The first, second and third date went a little like this, IGNORING > EATING > IGNORING > MOUNTING MOUNTING MOUNTING MOUNTING…. Lily would first react to Bears advances by being still, then running away and then becoming CROSS (understandbly).

My next three dates have been a little diffrent (no more humping thank god).  First there ignoring each other, eating, maybe even a little binky.  Then Bear strives for Lilys attention. He follows her, jumps on her, pushes his face right up to her face.  She reacts by growling, stomping, nipping and some weird kind of little two hand slap which she usually reserves for the dustpan and brush.

I know ignoring each other, eating and grooming ones-self is good but she doesnt want him anywhere near him?

Is this common?

I know some people bond rabbits with dates and others just use one 42hour session,  which is best?  Could you even achieve a 42hour session with rabbits which fight?

Any tips?

(sorry for the long post)

eternally gratful for anyones reply

xxxxx 

[Beka27]

This sounds like great progress so far! Can you do some forced snuggling in a litterbox? Place them in side by side and pet both of their foreheads (somewhat forcefully) at the same time.

[Elrohwen]

It sounds like you’re doing a really good job!

In my experience, Hannah was like Bear – she followed Otto around and wanted attention from him constantly. Otto started to get growly and defensive and I think it’s because he was very nervous around Hannah and didn’t know what she wanted. Eventually she got less nosy and he became calmer around her when he realized she wasn’t going to hurt him.

They’re just working out their communication style and things will settle down. Beka’s idea is good. You can also try stressing them if things get a little too stressful for you – I liked putting them in a laundry basket and shaking them around a bit. It made them settle and gave me something I could do when their behavior was stressing me out.

[annie.lilyandbear]

Thank you Beka and Elrohwen for your replys. To my housemates amusment I started todays session by putting both bunnies in a cardboard box and bouncing them around the house trying to be as loud and frightening as possible. They did not fight, however they did not snuggle either instead they just wondered in circles sticking their heads out, looking a little confused. I then put them back in the bathroom where i placed them side by side and gave them forced head strokes, (which Lily really enjoyed). They then did the usual ignoring each other, followed by Bear being very excited, binkying and shoving his face under Lilys chin, which makes her very angry and jumpy.

Its nice to hear you think this is good progress, i am terribly worried after hearing the stories of peoples rabbits that will not bond. i take it that you both bond with many shorter dates? how long did it take for you Elrohwen to bond Hannah and Otto?

[Beka27]

My pair have been bonded since June of 2008 (still can’t believe it was that long ago!) In three weeks time, they went from vicious fighting/chasing/biting to bonded, living in the same xpen. I did daily, one hour sessions. I tried to do two hours on weekend days.

Max had a difficult time because he was a really nervous guy, and Meadow was Queen of the house. The forced snuggling worked so well for making them stay in the same space. The litterbox, side by side, is also where I saw the first grooming between the two.

[Elrohwen]

I think it took me 3-4 weeks – I started with short 10min sessions and worked up to 1-3hr sessions. A month after they moved in together they had a scuffle (just fur pulled out), but were otherwise ok. They never really fought, but Hannah was very humpy and Otto got very nervous around her for a time. Most of my bonding time was trying to get her to settle down – she’s hyperactive anyway and she was so excited to have a friend that she wouldn’t leave him alone. Haha

[annie.lilyandbear]

Argggg

So after weeks of the same I tried bonding in the garden and finally thought i was getting somewhere. They ran around for hours, they lay together and Lily even groomed bear for all of about 5 seconds.

Then today I put the Bunnies in a box and took them for a 30 minutes walk. When I came back they were glued together, i put them in Lilys pen, they snuggled, slept and bear groomed Lilys head ALOT. I was so happy and phoned everyone i knew.

BUT THEN. After a few hours Bear started to put his head under Lilys bum and belly and began to mount her AMOROUSLY. She got nervous and angry so again i had to separate them.

Is this normal? I was really hoping they were friends now I feel so deflated

What do you think i should do next?

Thankuxxxx

[Author]

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