Thinking of pausing the bonding…

[jerseygirl]

I’m thinking of pausing the bonding because of shedding.  Rumball has been under going a mild molt since I got him but Jersey has just begun a big one after no molting for some time.  So she’s very testy at the moment, during my handling of her and during bonding.  If I give them a break, am I pretty much going to be at square one when I resume?  Continuing at this point doesn’t seem to be helping.

[BinkyBunny]

Well, IF she really has been testy and more difficult in bonding to deal with, I would think that that attitude could unravel it too. I would place their pens near each other while you wait out her “testy” self. (you might already be doing that)

If you do take a break, sometimes it can take you back to square one, and sometimes it’s what they need to settle down. So it’s very hard to know the outcome, but if you think that continuing at this point will also bring you back to square one, then that is no better either.

If were me and she’s just testy! I would try at times of the day (if you can) where she is more mellow/sleepy, or just wait it out.

Of course, I am still having bonding issues, so I may not be the most “secure” in my bonding answers right now. LOL!

[Beka27]

I would still try to do some type of bonding activity each day, even if it is just switching pens or litterboxes during the “break”. Or you could try stunt doubles, or toys/blankets that smell like the other bun. Make sure they realize the “other guy” has not gone away forever. Or maybe do very short and sweet sessions… ten or fifteen minutes tops. You obviously know the situation and Jersey better than we do, so it’s your call. A couple times during my 3 week bonding I either could not do a session or I was borderline burned out, so I took a break for a day and I don’t think there was any adverse effect b/c of doing that.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Good idea Beka-that way there’s no forgetting but they can still take a break!

[MimzMum]

I made the mistake of stopping bonding with Mimzy and Pip some time ago because Mimzy has been ill. Not that I wanted Pip to get sick too, but I think I’m going to have to start from the beginning when he’s better because of how long they’ve been apart now.

Funny, since one lives upstairs from the other, they don’t seem to miss each other all that much. I think Mimzy would like to have a tiny broom to smack his ceiling with sometimes when Pip starts trouncing around at strange hours of the night though…

“Hey!” *whack* “Keep it down up there! And turn that stereo down!”

[jerseygirl]

lol! It was probably for the best MM anyway, given Mimz recent health issues. If they had bonded, you might be taking them both of to those vet visits.

I actually had them together in non-neutral space last night. I’ve been impatient and just want to give Rumball more room, so I had them, me and the squirt bottle all in the same room together. It didn’t go to badly. There was some initial scuffling but as long as Rumball didn’t venture into Jersey’s hidey-nooks, they were fine. Spent most of the time in opposite corners but no territorial marking. Jersey however, was allowed in Rumball’s “personal space” she’d approach now and then and run over him, little regard for his head.

A few days ago, I opened the pen door between them and Jersey ventured into his zone. Not so good. She pranced about, finished his food, peed in his litter tray, chinned his cardboard box and generally lay claim to the space. He thought she was fair game, being there and tried to mount her. So, that space was not a good idea. I haven’t done any pen switching yet, but think it’ll benefit things, so they’re less territorial about their space.

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