  SugarbearNPepper
304 posts  | |
|
| 06/22/2011 06:50 AM |
|
It is finally time to start bonding Sugar and Pepper. We will start tonight. I've decided we will block off the kitchen (since this is pretty much the only neutral area in our condo). Couple of questions: Is mounting/humping OK? Should I stop it? Thank you in advance and please cross your fingers for us!!  |
|
|
|
|
 RabbitPamFlorida
 Forum Leader 8758 posts | |
|
| 06/22/2011 07:21 AM |
|
The only kind of mounting/humping that is NOT OK is on either bunny's head or face. It is safe from behind, so one is mounting the other's back end, but no one should ever mount the front. That is because the one doing the mounting can be bitten severely, and the head and face is delicate too. So stop that immediately. (For now, wear gloves to protect you and keep a strainer with a handle ready to slip between them if they begin to fight or bite.
Otherwise, let them mount without comment or interference until one can't get away but wants to or some biting and fighting begins. They are establishing who is going to be dominant in the relationship and it is not harmful or even sexual, just important to them to make this decision. They may go back and forth in mounting until they work it out. |
|
Samantha Bunnykins, Private Eyeliner  |
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/22/2011 10:48 AM |
|
Thank you RabbitPam! |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/23/2011 06:49 AM |
|
1st bonding session which lasted about 30 minutes. They did pretty well. Lots of humping/mounting by Sugar but it didn't seem to bother Pepper much. Hopefully this will subside after a few more bonding sessions...
 
|
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/24/2011 02:20 PM |
|
Today is the third day of bonding. We hung out in the kitchen for over an hour. Pepper suprisingly started grooming Pepper! 
So what now? Do I continue to do this for a couple weeks? I mean, when is it OK to share one living space? Thanks in advance!! |
|
|
|
|
  MonkeybunHillsboro, Oregon
9147 posts | |
|
| 06/24/2011 02:39 PM |
|
Keep going, until you can do several hour sessions without any aggression, and until you can trust them enough to leave them alone for a bit. |
|
|
|
|
 peppypooTexas
Forum Leader 1302 posts | |
|
| 06/24/2011 08:22 PM |
|
Wow, they look quite comfortable with each other already! Sounds like things are going well, if there's only mounting and minimal aggression. I gotta say, your buns are so darn cute!! |
|
| Tammo (RIP), Milo (RIP), Peppy, Remi |
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/24/2011 09:50 PM |
|
Thanks Monkeybun and Peppypoo...Hopefully this will continue! |
|
|
|
|
|
| 06/26/2011 11:39 AM |
|
They're already cuddling! Looks like the bonding will be a cinch. If they are comfortable and so are you, you can progress to the next step.
What a cute pair!! |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 07:55 AM |
|
Thanks lwayne! The past couple of days, I've noticed Pepper (girl) trying to hump/mount Sugar??? I guess they're just trying to figure out who's the dominant one? It also seems as though they keep wanting the other one to groom them. Is this all part of the process?
I only used the kitchen (neutral space) for 2 days (30-1hr). I'm letting them run around the house now together. They love going in each other's cage, but I'm still not comforable putting them in one cage yet. |
|
|
|
|
 ElrohwenDanbury, Connecticut
Forum Leader 6178 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 10:11 AM |
|
They're so cute together!
Humping is very common and it's often the girls who do it as they tend to be more dominant. Sometimes the humper will even change. The demanding of grooming is also very typical. At first it's a dominance thing - I'm dominant, so groom me first - but eventually they will groom mutually as they work out their relationship better. |
|
| - Elrohwen |
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 11:00 AM |
|
Thanks Elrohwen! I've been reading your other postings as well. Do you think it's a bad idea to let them run freely in the house versus putting them together in a neutral area? It seems as though Pepper gets super nervous when I put her in there? |
|
|
|
|
ElrohwenDanbury, Connecticut
Forum Leader 6178 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 11:51 AM |
|
I assume you mean she's nervous in the bathtub? If that's the case, are there other neutral areas you can use? I graduated from the tub to a small hallway that was upstairs where neither bun had been. A pen set up in a spare bedroom or something where they don't go could be a good option. |
|
| - Elrohwen |
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 03:10 PM |
|
Oh sorry Elrohwen, I actually had them in the kitchen (which is the only neutral place). The first couple times were fine, but when I tried to get put Pepper in there the third time, she didn't like it much and that is why I decided to let them run around the house. |
|
|
|
|
ElrohwenDanbury, Connecticut
Forum Leader 6178 posts | |
|
| 06/27/2011 05:37 PM |
|
Ahhh, yeah, I can see why they might not like the kitchen - neither of my guys will ever go in there! If you don't have any other neutral areas, then I think doing sessions in a common play area is the next best thing if they're mostly getting along. Though sometimes having one bun be nervous can be helpful - Otto was very nervous in the bathtub, but him staying still helped keep Hannah calm. Once they were on carpet and both running around, she was more likely to chase him. |
|
| - Elrohwen |
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/28/2011 06:43 AM |
|
Thanks Elrohwen! They NEVER went into the kitchen, but since I had them in there a couple of times, now they walk in themselves! They are so silly! Thanks for the advice...I will keep it up and hope it all works out! |
|
|
|
|
|
| 06/30/2011 10:17 AM |
|
They are SO cute, oh my gosh. |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 06/30/2011 12:50 PM |
|
Thanks Miles and Me! Look at your buns...way tooo cute! Love your profile pic! |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 07/02/2011 07:47 PM |
|
Last night was the first night my buns stayed in the same cage! So excited! I added one more floor so now they have plenty of space when I'm not home to let them run around....  |
|
|
|
|
 OhMommaButterGrits
59 posts | |
|
| 07/02/2011 07:51 PM |
|
Not only are you buns ridiculously cute...I am uber jealous of your set up! I can't wait to make one...just waiting till I can bond my buns. Congrats on your success! |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 07/02/2011 08:10 PM |
|
Thank you much OhMommaButterGrits! They sure are wonderful buns! <3 |
|
|
|
|
ElrohwenDanbury, Connecticut
Forum Leader 6178 posts | |
|
| 07/05/2011 06:51 AM |
|
What a fantastic cage! Congrats to having a bonded pair now :-) |
|
| - Elrohwen |
|
|
|
| 07/05/2011 07:31 AM |
|
I really like their cage setup, and these buns are just so beautiful! |
|
|
|
|
SugarbearNPepper
304 posts | |
|
| 07/05/2011 07:53 AM |
|
Thank you Elrohwen and Meg P!  |
|
|
|
|
|
| 07/07/2011 09:08 PM |
|
You did a beautiful job with those cubes! Sometimes they look sloppy but yours is really, really nice! Lucky bunnies |
|
|
|
|
|
| 07/07/2011 09:08 PM |
|
You did a beautiful job with those cubes! Sometimes they look sloppy but yours is really, really nice! Lucky bunnies |
|
|
|
|
|
| 07/30/2011 09:18 AM |
|
That cage is awesome!!! what did you use to build it?? |
|
|
|
|
 LoveChaChaRabbit Warren
5857 posts | |
|
|
|
| 07/30/2011 09:25 PM |
|
Oh, that's such a sweet picture of your snuggle-buns! Congratulations on their bonding...best wishes it continues to go well. Doesn't seem to be any reason why it shouldn't. |
|
|
|
|
|
|