We’ve started! (Updated)

[jerseygirl]

Jersey, Rumball and I have started the Bonding Journey. After 2 weeks of living with the 2, I finally felt confident to begin. Plus I’m tired of Rumball being penned up so much & me battling the barrier fence and cleaning up Jersey’s marking of this fenceline! I set up his pen in her area (a 2 1/2 x 6 metre/yard room that adjoins the laundry). So they’ve become familiar and more comfortable with one another. I have them both there overnight, eat in view of each other, pet them both there, transferring scents etc. I even would find Jersey would go out to the room independantly to hang out or nap.

I wasn’t going to post until I had problem – but thought I’d report and ask all those more experienced to steer me in the right direction if I’m off track.

Session 1: Bath tub 30 mins. New experience for all 3 of us! Rumball had one thing on his mind and mounted about 4 times. He really surprised me. Guess he was excited (he was honking) and instictively went for her. I think Jersey was too shocked to start with and just froze on the spot. I pet her head and let him continue til he’d “displayed his dominance” (if that’s what he thought he was doing – lol). Most of her interaction was defensive aggression, nipping at his face and sides and growling alot. There was bloodshed. I noticed some on her fur but just the tips, so I figured it was Rumballs. He seemed fine….took me a while to realise it was just mine. Yes – I did read about wearing gloves etc…

So pretty much if he came near, she’d nip at him. She also instigated a few aggressive encounters, pouncing and nipping. All fur! I tried put them side by side but she’d turn her head and nip. I finished on them both laying down facing one another warily while I petted both until they calmed. They then lay like that facing, nose about a foot apart. I placed them back in the bunny room and they chilled out.

 

Session Two: 30-40 mins bath tub. So today was markedly different. Rumball less interested and only half heartedly tried to mount her once. She scooted out and turned/ Let him know she wasn’t happy. More ‘wrangling’ head to head from both in the first 5 minutes. Rumball pretty much retreated and sat belly down at one end for a good 10 minutes. During this time Jersey moved about trying to see out of bath and escape. She’d stand over him a few times, looking out and he lay there so she was obviously less frightened of him. He’d tense up a bit when she approached but stayed put. Eventually she groomed herself and sat down. For 20 minutes I sat on other side of barrier generally out of sight. I think this less hands-on approached helped alot. Anytime there was nipping, I was able to stop by a “NO!” or a clap. Jersey always the one to start it – but she got the message.

Jersey flopped, then Rumball would be up trying to dig his way out (hehe!) Anytime either got too close, they’d be a tense up but no pouncing or biting. They were becoming calmer in each other’s presence. I finished on this note and was pleased with it.

*No need to adjust your settings, the bath tub IS yellow! Oh gosh, they do look like 2 tubbies here!!!!

 

I am tempted to try another session tonight.  Am I pushing them?

[PEPPA GEORGIE]

Arr they are soo cute like that xx i am looking forward to next instalment now. xx bet they become great friends x

[3crazybuns]

Wow!!! Best of luck to you, I wish I could talk my hubs into letting me get another bun so oreo could have a playmate, but first things first…getting him NEUTERED!!! LOL

[Beka27]

You’re not pushing them. You should do daily sessions. It sounds pretty normal for first encounters. Are you able to switch them betw/ the areas each night? Put Jersey in his pen, put him in her space?

[TARM]

Obviously I have not read the bonding info…why the bath tub? lol

[jerseygirl]

Oh good, if it all sound normal so far, I’ll continue this way. I was pleased at the difference btwn sess 1 & 2. I’ll do a couple more of these then start pen switching. I’m predicting that’ll give me some set backs on Jersey’s part. Do you leave everything as in in their respective areas. Litter boxes, food/water bowls etc ? Jersey sleeps up on top of a set of drawers so she won’t have that in Rumball’s pen. I tend to cater to her overly just to keep the peace…

Obviously I have not read the bonding info…why the bath tub? lol

TARM, the bath is one place in most homes that is completely neutral space. So both buns not likely to think of it as their area. It’s turned out great as it’s a small space so they pretty much have to interact, they can’t really gain purchase with their feet and climb out, and it’s easy to clean up afterward. You plonk them both in such a foreign space then they’re both on more equal footing (so to speak) as each other.

[Beka27]

Jersey will probably be “ticked off” during the bonding process. Many changes, being around some intruder, not getting things her way… but it’s worth it for the outcome. You will leave everything as is, even the used litterboxes. It forces them to be among the other’s scent.

[jerseygirl]

Thanks for the quick reply. Argh – more pee & poop I guess…

[Beka27]

Yes. Lots of pee and poop too… but remember…

IT’S ONLY TEMPORARY!!!

[BinkyBunny]

I can understand the poopwars! With Jack and Vivan, it’s happening as well.

With the mounting – does she get bent right away or does she allow it? IF you find aggression getting worse at all, you may try to do another stress method. Also IF she is just not having any of the mounting and that’s what is creating the majority of the aggression, I was told to make him stop. I am having similar issues with Jack and Vivian. I’ll be posting more about that either later or tomorrow.

[BinkyBunny]

Oh, and I forgot to add, yes, you leave everything as is. Though you can shake out rugs get rid of some of the poos if it’s getting crazy out of hand, and as far as the litterboxes go – you can “partially” clean them. Just be sure to put some of the dirty part back in. That way they can still get the benefit of each others scent without your place getting to “ripe”.

[jerseygirl]

Yeah – “ripe”…ugh! He only really tried mounting in the 1st session. By the second he wasn’t so keen. Or just more wary. She did allow it a bit though in the first session.

[RabbitPam]

Check out Beka’s bonding thread for Max and Meadow. I found the bonding sessions on the washing machine fascinating, and it seemed to work so well and so quickly. If you have a washer or dryer with a wide flat surface you can get a laundry basket or one of those plastic storage tubs really cheaply at Walmart or Target.

Their mounting efforts sound normal, kind of “I’m dominent.” “No, I’m dominent.” “Let’s take a nap and then decide.”

Reminds me of an old Joan Rivers joke: When she was a newlywed they used to run around the house saying “Chase me! Chase me!”
Now, after 20 years of marriage it’s “Chase me……..chase me….” “I’m tired. Can I chase you tomorrow? “Yea, sure.”

[jerseygirl]

 So I’ve done 2 more session in the tub. Both longer, the 3rd was 60mins. 4th was 45mins, some stress bonding on the washing machine then back to tub for a further 40 mins. In the 3rd session I had Jersey eating grated apple off of Rumball’s head. She’ll do anything for food. So she’s absolutely okay being close to him. It’s when he approaches her that she’ll growl softly and put him in his place. He’ll often thump but I think it’s at me for putting him through it all. Most often he’ll be at one end, smooshed out on he’s belly and she’ll be at the other. Generally active, grooming, periscoping and flopping. Flopping alot!

They seem to be farily indifferent but in close proximity, they are doing better. Jersey ate more off of his head and groomed a tiny bit. I think it may confuse him though as he response when he approaches is different. He has a lowered head so he might be asking to be groomed however it’s hard to tell. To me it looks like a timid approach and being a lop, his head is lowered like that.

 

I did some washing machine/box bonding to move things along. He hunkered down and she just keeps looking over the box edge and stepping on him to do it. No regard whatsoever! Once they were back in the bath, no difference really. I ended up pushing them up one end together and put the box in to keep them there. Same, he stayed put, she moved about and over him but eventually sat side by side. I pet them simultaneously and they lay there content cheek to cheek. All forced by me though, they’re not really seeking each other out.

 

Video below is during this time, Jersey still flopping. I had them in close space for a good amount of time but toward end of sess 3 & 4 there was some trigger and she’d nip, he’d respond. He even tried mounting again toward end of 4th session and she definately is not ok with this now. I can usually break this easily and have them calm and side by side again before I end the session.

 

I’m thinking of trying a pen in the living room. Not neutral but both have spent time there. I guess I want to guage their interaction in a different setting but would this set them back this early on?

Video at end of session 4. Looks cute but I’m not fooled, nor forgetting the challenges and nipping… 

[BinkyBunny]

Jersey – What an adorable video! It’s so funny though, your last statement, because I finally got some great photos today of Jack and Vivian grooming each other, but I will ALSO be saying…this doesn’t mean they are over their issues yet. The nipping thing that Vivian does, makes them want to fight but I did have progress even with that today as they seemed to be “less” reactive.

I do understand the approach issue. Ours is less of the approach issue now, but the getting up or passing closely by can still trigger Vivian and sometimes Jack. I think I remember you saying you like to stay hands off, but I have found that so far (NO promises for tomorrow), that if I pet them as they approach, (either I pet them both or at least the one being approached) that is helps keep the peace. I also pet the one that is still laying down while the other one gets up to leave. My thought is that if I can calm the one that reacts in the situation, that it will help them bond and as they begin to trust each other more, they will not be so reactive. So far, it “seems” to be helping as the approach issue is almost gone. Tomorrow though, who knows!

Good luck! Bonding vibes to you!

[Sarita]

Oh my gosh – that is so cute with the flop. I bet they are wondering when they are going to get out of the bathtub.

I think ignoring each other is good – it means they somewhat tolerate each other.

[RabbitPam]

ROFLMAO!

First, just the idea of putting apples on Rumball’s head for Jersey cracked me up. I never heard of that. (Your table is ready madame. Just ignore the breathing.)

But the video – I finally saw the flop on the back with legs up that you described Jersey likes to do. It’s as if you got her this warm, squishy new pillow.

[Deleted User]

I want to cuddle with Jersey…
kisses from me for Jersey… Rumball is lucky you found him and he gets to live with her now.

[jerseygirl]

Posted By rabbitpam on 04/24/2009 06:53 AM
ROFLMAO!

First, just the idea of putting apples on Rumball’s head for Jersey cracked me up. I never heard of that. (Your table is ready madame. Just ignore the breathing.)

But the video – I finally saw the flop on the back with legs up that you described Jersey likes to do. It’s as if you got her this warm, squishy new pillow.

haha! It wasn’t a whole apple Pam, and I didn’t give Jersey a crossbow.  I had read you could put mashed banana on the forehead to encourage grooming and  Yes!  We had no bananas.
 

The flop is not quite on her back but the bath does prop her up a bit.  I’m still to capture that true back flop

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