Hi Marksudark - I am trying to work on a pen set-up like the person who bonded Dono & Maryann did and I have some questions.  I can't find the post where you talked about it - it's not in the actual bonding post is it because I didn't see it there.

I'm trying to bond Cupcake, my 3-legged foster, with another older male and she's a spitfire much like Maryann.  Buttonz, the male I am bonding her with is about 2 years old and when I put him in the pen with her, he just sits terrified.  Well, he knows she's going to come after him, even after the car rides so I want to try your set-up.

I am going to use the neat idea cubes attached to the pen.   I have to figure out how many squares - I'm thinking I can only do 2 but I know it's got to be in the configuration.

Do you know how Dono figured all this out and how it actually stopped Maryann from continuing antagonzing Dono.

My last 2 bonds were such a breeze, this one is much more of a challenge :~)  I'm calling the bonding pen, the torture chamber - at least for Buttonz - the poor guy hates to see me coming and he constantly thumps.  Nothing wears Cupcake down and it all wears Buttonz down.  I think part of her problem is that she is still very young and active and bossy.  It's funny because she is so sweet with people, but obviously a terror to other rabbits.

Thanks

Sarita

Sarita, here is the discussion:

http://www.binkybunny.com/Default.a...1999#32069

I'm putting it in the FAQ section under bonding right now.

thank you thank you thank you!  i have been looking for this thread. 

Hee hee, no problem. Sarita, I hope you don't mind but I am going to pin this discussion at the top to be sure Marksudark sees it.

Well the main credit to the bond has to go to Marcy at Save A Bunny as she took over the role of Alpha bun. Her stern tone and hand helped to quell maryann's behaviors. If a fight started out, they both went into the carrying case and onto the dryer.  The pen set up was where they actually stayed together - they didn't go back into seperate cages afterwards.

The reason for the L pen is that for some reason aggressive buns tend to stop their pursuit if it involves turning corners. I know that sounds wierd but without a direct charge lane or place to circle freely, they have to be more careful about their movements. The other thing that is very difficult for bunny parents is to allow the fighting to go on. They need to work out the dominance issue and the only way to do that for some is via combat. The trick is to know when to intercede. If you give them enough space to move around (such as in a pen), usually they can get away if needed. It is only when they both stand their ground and begin to rear up and go at it that I break it up, but even then I let it go on for a couple of seconds. It may sound cruel but I do know that Maryann seemed to be nicer to Dono when he finally had enough of her, turned and fought back. Of course any squeal is an immediate stopping point. You can also use the water bottle and/or loud clapping to try and stop them without physically getting involved.

Tough bonding sessions are more grueling on the parents than the kids.

yes that is my problem too when to break it up I do it right away  however if someone has pointers let me know Itty Bitty Feda is only 3 mos right now and i have not really been working on bonding. when cotton gets into the bedroom and they have a tiff between the bars and he does walk away after a bit. so confusing to me. yesterday when they got to each other furr flew some  and cotton was humping feda and she was trying to get away and I grabbed cotton feda does fight back but I don't want this to be a habit between them. I am waiting to work with them on bonding when she is older and fixed I am so relieved Cotton is snipped tho I tell you or baby buns might be on the way. phew. dont' need that it is hard work when those accidents occur and they start hopping out of the nest box argh

working for a living does cut your time down a bit i find .  i'm not married yet so i still have hopes of being a kept woman to free up my schedule.  (jk)

i'm def going to try this set up with my 2 gals when we get started officially.  do you think they're both trying for top bun?  or does cupcake's chasing get it all going?