Time yet?

[BunnyFriends]

Bonding Winter and Licorice is officially a wreck. The very first introduction was the only one without fighting. Now it’s instantaneous fighting…

Anyway, I’m just out of ideas. Laundy basket isn’t working (because Licorice jumped out before Winter was ever in it. They never bonded in it, LOL! ), carrier they’d be up and out of. Giving them lots of space isn’t working well either. (However I still have yet to try an x pen. Must order one soon. ) 

I do need to try out the stunt double, so there is that. We are also thinking about taking the seats out of the car and putting them in. (While it’s out of motion of course, but the idea scares me a bit.)

And then we could try bathtub. I’m very hesitant about this though because Licorice has proven himself to be quite the jumper in stressful situations. 

So basically, I’m running out of options. Any ideas? Would bonding in the actual bathroom help, if there were new toys and hideyhouses? They’ve not been in the bathroom yet but I’m not sure if putting new toys in would help them explore rather than fight. Although they’ve never been in an x pen either…

As of right now I am still trying to bond them, but is it really just time I take them speed dating? I do have a shelter in mind if it is… though I’m not going to give up yet.

(NOTE: Their fights haven’t hurt either one. No scratches whatsoever – just a bit of shed fur flying. So it may not be too bad…)

[LongEaredLions]

Who usually initiates the fighting? Is it one bunny, or does it vary?
Are you in a neutral area? The car could be a good controlled area if you are up for taking the seats out. You might want to try stress bonding if you haven’t already-put them in a carrier and put it on top of the running drier, in the car, or run the vacuum a bit. The stress forces them to lean on each other for support. The stunt double could help, as could switching litter boxes, toys, etc., between their cages so they can smell each other.
Keep working at it, you will get there. Whenever you have them together, try to help them associate each other with positive things. Place a big pile of hay or veggies in the area so they can eat together. You can put a bit of banana on their foreheads to encourage grooming. Try to not end a session with a fight, even if it means you put them together for a forced snuggle or give them a treat, try to end on a positive note. Good Luck!

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