We are in the process of bonding our Checkered Giant (Domino)  & Flemish Giant (Chess), both are males. We have had their cages in close for a week now. Problem is we were giving them turns being out roaming, each on a different floor with gates blocking the stairs. We have had Domino for 6 months. He used to run out of his cage as soon as we opened the door. Now Domino does not want to get out if he sees Chess still in his cage. We have had 4 bonding sessions in the bathroom, that went fairly well, some nipping, some snorting, and one session we had to use the water bottle to spray. Since they are not ready to be out in shared teritory together yet, it is difficult to get them out for their individual exercise. Any ideas? (Also Chess is pretty skittish and not used to us yet so getting him in and out is an ordeal in itself).

Yep, they both are.

I figured it out! I put more barriers up around our new buns cage. So that when one is out they can still see each other but not inflict harm. The towel thing freaked both of them out. Since Domino is used to being out  we have been letting him out first, he generally runs upstairs, then we put a gate up and let Chess out. So now they are both getting their time out. One problem with the bathtub and giant buns is that they can get out of a normal one. I think we are going to try my huge one - Lol

Chess is starting to come out of his shell, so to speak. He allows me to pet him and does mad racing around the house when he is out, yesterday he started eating from my hand. He and Domino are not taunting each other as much either. We are making progress. I have also discovered that Chess likes laundry baskets filled with clothes. He loves to jump in them and burrow. Domino does not seem to care for window & door boxes, but I have a feeling Chess might.

Thank you for the wonderful suggestions, especially putting a little bit of hay in the treat ball.

Well I thought we were doing alright. But the last two times we have tried to bond them Domino nips Chess, he just keeps doing it, and it is hard to tell if he is progressing to biting but that is what it looks like.  We have been switching their cages daily. That goes okay. Although Domino nipped me the other day when I was cleaning Chess' cage as if to say "do not invade his territory". I know Domino is the dominate one and so does Chess. I can't figure out why he keeps trying to establish that. I hate to stress them both out with a car ride because Chess it generally stressed anyway. Should I take a break from the bonding until Chess is more comfortable? And then try again? HELP!