Scratch all my prior bonding… Rodan and Dozer!

[calipa_st]

Here’s the background.. tried Lucky and he hates *all* rabbits. Particularly Rodan. Got Calvin to bond with Lucky, they did amazing at HRS but with multiple vet trips for stitches needed, an ear, a nose and lips and cheeks being ripped apart…I have not even attempted to let Lucky near the others. He instigates and then gets severely injured. 

Calvin did okay with Rodan, but I am diagnosing Calvin with PTSD from his breeder years. He still has not gotten comfortable in the house, he does not like to be touched, he freaks out if Rodan sniffs him…like, super jumpy constantly. I’m giving him more time to acclimate.

 

So, impulsively got another, have had him geez, not sure when we got him but he was neutered and healed. He lives next door to Rodan because he, unlike my other two dutch’s, has not figured out how to jump the xpen.

They never fight between the bars, so I wondered if it was worth a shot.

 

They did a tub date and did great. Then I did a hallway date first date went great! It’s a small space, enclosed with a baby gate (we need two doors to ensure Lucky can’t get downstairs…he’s that much of a monster! lol)

 

They had a second hallway date and fur flew, Dozer is younger, I think he was 6 months when I got him and Rodan’s age is unknown…so Dozer is quite hyper. Rodan is super laid back though, so with Dozer doing jumps over him, Rodan will get defensive and then a little circling and nipping happens.No major fights though.

 

I had a second wall in between them, because when I tried to bond Lucky he would jump it or attack through it… but, I removed it so Rodan and Dozer could be closer. It’s been two days and they lay next to each other more and sniff more

 

We are doing a kitchen date right now, for over a half hour…only one little tiff. I gave them hay and they’re eating together!

I’m doing my semester and determined to bond these two this summer!

[calipa_st]

Dozer thinks I’m an insane person… he looks at me like this all the time. Always makes me laugh

Rodan really wants someone to groom him, he has tried multiple times to get Dozer to groom him and tried with Calvin as well

I began petting them both separately on the head… Dozer snuggle all the way up behind Rodan and they enjoyed being petted together!

and a picture of my big boy, just looking for love

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more pictures…

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[LongEaredLions]

Dozer and Rodan are adorable!
Looks like it’s going well!

[calipa_st]

So, question…

they’re getting along, but no grooming. Is that okay?
They had a long bonding session in the kitchen and shared a litter box, dozer got a little protective (it was his box) but they ate together just fine otherwise.

What’s the next step? I’ve never gotten this far!!

I just let them out together in the living room. I made my boyfriend lift the couch against the wall so they can’t fight under it lol

[MoveDiagonally]

Grooming is nice to see but it’s not necessary. One of my bunnies almost never grooms my other bunnies… But wants them all to groom him. Lol. When I bonded my trio Monty and Penny didn’t really groom during bonding (maybe once or twice) and they still ended up bonded.

It sounds like they’re starting to show a bit of territorial behavior (with the litter box) so I wouldn’t move forward yet as it could escalate. I would do at least a few more sessions like the kitchen one. When they get a bit more comfortable with the sharing I would move forward.

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