House Rabbit Community and Store
What are we about? Please read about our Forum Culture and check out the Rules.
The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.
- This topic has 1sd reply, 1 voice, and was last updated 8 years, 11 months ago by
.
-
-
As some of you know, I’ve been trying to bond Winter and Licorice for quite some time. It hasn’t been going badly, just can’t do too much because of school. They been meeting once a week regularly since January, though they met before that as well. Some background on them:
Winter is my one year old Himalayan girl. She’s really social and energetic, and she was our second rabbit. We got her because we decided Licorice could use a friend. They didn’t speed date, which I think could’ve made things better but to be honest I love her anyway whether or not they speed dated. :p
Licorice will be four in April, he’s a Dutch. We’ve had him since he was four months old, but he’s always been a bit aloof and shy. Not anti-social, however. He did come up to us. Since he’s been meeting Winter he’s been much more bold, though. Anyway they’re essentially opposites.
To put things briefly, sessions have been ok. First few were conducted (HUGE MISTAKE
 
in a non – neutral space, which happened to be Winter’s room. As expected they fought. After that we moved them to the master bedroom, and it was mostly ignoring and sniffing, as well as eating. They’ve always had a salad prepared, and they can eat together fine.There were no fights in the bathroom, and no displays of dominance until Licorice started asking to be groomed. When he first did, she just stood there with his chin under her. Then she would go away. After a few sessions of that, he’d ask and she would mount his face. Licorice never reacted, so I just pet him and pushed Winter off after a few seconds. And that’s where we are currently. They’re fine till he asks, then she mounts and I remove. Repeat. I also tried to separate them for a minute or two after I took her off, but now I wonder if I should let them come right back to each other. I usually just put the dustpan between them, then waited.
Last session (Tuesday) Winter groomed his ear when he asked, but very little. Then she went and mounted him again.
So progress, except Winter did not want to get off. Should I just let her get on with it instead of removing her?I’m putting them together tonight, will keep updated.
(The mounting/wanting to be groomed happened in bathroom and bedroom. Grooming was in bedroom.)
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.