territory question

[cactuspancake]

Is having Jasmine running around the house playing with me then having Franz out going to piss him off and make bonding more difficult, or better? He’s mad curious and doing binkies everywhere though.

[cactuspancake]

I’m reading all this bonding stuff, but where do I keep my new bunny when they’re not in a bonding session? Is it ok to let them take turns every few hours in the living room with me? I cleaned out a cage a few times well and put it in my room for Jasmine at night and I’m making my room HER space only now during the night. But during the day, I’m having her in the living room with me so she can get used to me, but in the evening, I still want to snuggle with my Franz baby in here for awhile and not neglect him while all these new things are happening. I just don’t know if it’s a good idea or not, and what do I do if it’s not a good idea to do this? I want to be around them at least a few hours each per day.

Also I just got my xpen in. I was wondering if I could put the xpen up accordianned between the kitchen and the living room with a bunny in each room so Franz can still see me but Jasmine is near me? Is this ok or will it stress them out? Will Franz get jealous being within view of Jasmine near my feet? I just don’t want to ruin their first impressions of eachother.

[RabbitPam]

I think the step by step recommendations for bonding are helpful, both in that section and most likely described on the HRS site, http://www.rabbit.org.

I also would suggest that you read a few posts in the Bonding Forums, which describe similar starts and answer similar questions. I am thinking of Beka’s bonding of Max and Meadow as a really good example of a good bond procedure, and Mark’s for a good example of a very difficult, but ultimately successful, bonding process.

They need their own space, they need to be spayed and neutered, and you want about 1-3″ minimum between them at all times to avoid bites and other potential harm by being too close when unsupervised. Personally, while the bonding sessions initially take place in neutral territory, like a bathroom or a hallway, if they become familiar with each others’ scents in your communal spaces as they take turns playing, and they don’t get territorial by marking or acting up, then you have made good progress. You can put a surrogate toy in each cage, then swap them out, to further their familiarity with each others’ scent which helps them accept the real deal more readily. Also, if one decides he doesn’t like her, or vice versa, it can take the aggressive behavior and you will know who may need watching during the bonding sessions.

[cactuspancake]

So far Franz has been very excited. I seperated them via x pen and baby gate. He rolls around in her smell but when they see eachother at the gate they are getting a little nasty!

[cactuspancake]

Can you help me find Max and Meadows and any other ones that you think are good? I’ve read a bunch but they’re all a little more farther along than I am. I went to the HRS and it’s ok… but I don’t see anything step by step, and they also didn’t even have a bonding section; they’re selling their advice by DVD now. I got one cause I wanted something instructional, but I haven’t found a single instructional video, just videos of rabbits together in a pen which I get, I want a more overall perspective, and what to do if they fight through the gate even. I don’t get much on google either…

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