Shew…Digger is M.E.A.N!

[TARM]

Hooo boy!  That Digger bunny does NOT like other bunnies!  Last night I tried letting Digger out at the same time as the bunny boys…thinkin that since the living room is large-ish they could all do their own thing even if they didn’t want to play together.  I was so wrong.  My poor bunny boys!

Digger made a beeline for Tank, growled, and ATTACKED him!  Fur was flying and poor Tank was screaming!  I didn’t see any puncture marks and I quickly shooed Tank and Ranger back into their cage (it’s easier to herd them in than Digger).  Once they were in there Digger went to his customary spot where he lays next to the boys cage and they all kind of sniff at each other.  This time, though, Tank and Ranger were having none of that, they both high tailed it to the second level of their house where Digger couldn’t get within sniffing distance.

This was a pretty traumatic event at our house.  Both of my daughters were yelling at Digger, I was tryng to separate them with a broom, and my dogs, who couldn’t get in the room, were worked up into a frenzy.

I guess my visions of having one large cage with all the bunnies living peacefully together have just been shattered.

Also, ever since his neuter Digger has become cage aggressive.  He’s nipped me twice when I’ve reached in there.  This is the same bunny who used to let me give him nose rubs and scritch between his ears.  He doesn’t come near us during out of cage time any more either.  I thought before his neuter that since he was such a friendly bunny he wouldn’t change much, I wasn’t expecting him to go in the opposite direction.

[Beka27]

anything is possible with bunnies. for every rule there is always going to be the one exception, he might just be the exception in this case. not all buns like other bunny companionship, but just letting them out to see what happens is not the right way to go about introductions. if you were serious about bonding you’d need to start with a neutral location where none of them have been, maybe even car or washing machine rides. it’s a whole process, so don’t become discouraged until you’ve actually tried doing it the right way.

in the meantime you might read some of the bonding threads, that gives you a good idea of what works and doesn’t work for other people.  also, the house rabbit network bonding article is my very favorite one.  http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/bond.shtml

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

It’s pretty natural for them to fight with bunnies they aren’t bonded with. I’d look into bonding techniques with that link Beka posted and maybe start a bonding process (in a few weeks after the feelings aren’t hurt anymore!)

If it makes you and the family feel better it’s just natural behavior

[TARM]

I just want to make it clear that I didn’t just set three bunnies who’ve never seen each other before loose in my living room. When Digger is out he spends most of his time laying against the outside of the cage while the other two boys lay against the inside of the cage. They look like they’d all be huddled together if there wasn’t a barrier there. They’ve done this for weeks. The first thing Digger does when he’s out is look to see if the little boys are in their spot. If they are he goes right over and lays down. If they aren’t he heads to the couch and checks back later.

I’ll look at those other threads but its gonna be a good, long while before I’ll be starting any of it.

[Beka27]

don’t worry. that’s a common misconception. some buns will be the best of friends across the bars, but once that “protection” is gone, it’s like they’ve never laid eyes on the other. mine were the same way, but once the xpen was gone, you’d think they were out for blood.

[MarkBun]

Unfortunately, this is more of a guarding the fence than he is interested in snuggling. That small amount of wire even had Maryann being a nice bunny.

It IS possible to bond all three together but you’d need to work with them in neutral territory and not in an area each of them frequents.

[Sarita]

Maybe he likes them but only from a distance.

[TARM]

What do you guys think about the cage aggression? I’m the only one who reaches in there. Usually to put his salad in or to get him out for his out of cage time. I can’t just let him walk out on his own because his condo is on top of the bunny boys. I don’t have enough room to do a side-by-side cage so if he’s going to come out I have to take him out.

[Sarita]

I have some rabbits who are like this. Pepe who now I have free roam downstairs and he is still somewhat aggressive – I think it’s just a behavior he’s learned, sudden movements aggravate him…otherwise he does love to be petted. I had him in a condo and he was always aggressive…just the nature of the “beast” I think.

My other rabbit Jingles used to be more cage aggressive but I now have him in an x-pen and it’s easier for me to maneuver around him and I think he has calmed down due to his age.

Some behaviors I think like aggression are difficult to change and require alot of patience or just giving in and accepting it.

What about switching the boys w/him so he can come out downstairs?

[MarkBun]

I know that this may sound silly but I believe that his cage aggression could be because of the neuter but not in the way you think. He let you reach in and pet him and take him out to play. However, you took him out one day and had his own ‘boys’ chopped off. He’s still a little mad about that. He’s not sure what you’ll have them chop off next.

Just push his head down after he grunts/lunges and say in a strong but soft tone, “No.” and hold him there for 3-5 seconds.

Mark

[TARM]

LOL Mark, that thought did cross my mind. But I dismissed it because when I picked him up on “N” day he was so happy to be home I figured I was easily forgiven. Guess he’s had time to think about that.

Sarita, I thought about switching the boys to the top but they don’t like to be picked up at all any more and truthfully…the bottom was theirs first.  I don’t think it’s fair to switch things around on them when they’ve adjusted fine just to accommodate Digger and his new dislike of anyone entering his cage.

[Beka27]

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/agressive.shtml  this is a good article about aggression.

my Meadow has her moments where she is a major pain in the butt.  firmness works well with her.  the territorialness might also have to do with the other buns.  he knows they are there.  even if you’re not planning on bonding for awhile, you might consider switching cages every so often so there will be less for him to be possessive of.

edited: i just saw your response to Sarita.  switching cages is an important part of bonding when the time comes. 

[Lagomorpheus]

Don’t give up hope! My Vicky was the same way and attacked both of my boys in succession before finally accepting them…but it IS possible!

[Lightchick]

I think one of the good/bad things about bunnies is how quickly they can learn…maybe you caught Digger in an off-mood due to neuter-pains, and because you REACTED to his aggression, now he thinks he’s boss and can push you around? I certainly made Lizzy worse trying to accomodate her nasty-streak, until I got sick of it and stopped tolerating it!

I used Markus’ method (thank you, btw!), and also just always had a spray-bottle in-hand anytime I had to get into her cage, so if she made any move toward me, I could zap her. This all helped.

Unfortunately, the other major factor that helped was that I stopped reaching into her cage to bring her out for playtime, and rearranged my apartment a little so she could come out on her own. Now she isn’t afraid that every time I reach in there I’m going to grab for her…

Just my experience, for what it’s worth…

[jerseygirl]

Posted By TankAndRangersMom on 10/01/2008 10:42 AM

LOL Mark, that thought did cross my mind. But I dismissed it because when I picked him up on “N” day he was so happy to be home I figured I was easily forgiven. Guess he’s had time to think about that.

 

Yes, plus the drugs had worn off!       Good to see you about again Lago, great picture.  That should give you some hope TARM!

 

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