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Forum BONDING Fighting during bonding process, HELP!

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    • tlpierce
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        Hi, so im a new bunny mom bonding for the first time. I’ve had my lop, Theo, since november and he was neutured in January, and My lionhead, Remi, since decemeber and was neutered in december as well. Theo took a little warming up but now he’s a sweetheart and I’m not really having any issues with him. Remi, on the other hand, has been quite challenging to work with. He’s always been a little aggressive but lately he’s been much better since he was neutered. I still have to be a little cautious when i play with him because he still has a tendecy to get nippy once in a while. However, he allows me to pet him, inftact he nudges my hand to continue when i stop. 

        I have attempted to bond them a few times. This is with doing prebonding techniques a month before hand, such as, switching litter boxes daily, using stuffed bunnies with eacthothers scent and switching them out, and switching cages. They smell and see eachother a few hours a day during “out time” through wire mesh fence so they cant hurt each other. I started out in the car, without using food (i didnt know that trick at the time) and Remi was immediatly agressive, lunging and nipping and digging. He didn’t seem to even be afraid of being in the car. Then, i tried the bathtub a few times with some greens scattered to give them a distraction, and if they were on opposite sides it was okay, but the minute they would get close to eachother, Remi would attack. I used a hand kitchen strainer to prevent injuries, so they’re okay. I’m just not sure where to go from here. Do i just keep trying? or do i need to try something else?

        I tried talking to Remi in a soft voice and petting him to calm him down and it works until i stop and seem to get frustrated.

        Any suggestions would be much appreciated!!


      • DanaNM
        Moderator
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          I would give them more space in a new area. Small stressful spaces work for some, but many have found that it triggers the bunny’s flight or flight response, with no room to flee, so they fight!

          Also start with super super short sessions. So, get your bigger area (maybe your full bathroom?), put them in it at the same time. If they lasted 30 sec without fighting in the tub, start with 30 seconds! And repeat! Then you work up to 1 minute.. then 3… etc.

          How do they act towards each other through the fence?

          . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


        • Limit
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            Agree with Dana, if a small enclosed space isn’t working then I’d increase. Lots of distractions, scattered food, toys, etc. (Some of this may not work, toys only made mine territorial, but it may work for yours.)

            I too am going through the bonding process (again!) and I feel your stress. Is there anyway they can be housed together side by side, so they can see, smell, touch but not hurt? To me it sounds like your Remi is scared and is taking it out on poor Theo. Wishing you the best of luck x


          • tlpierce
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              Thank you! I will try that!

               They can’t really get to each other at all through the fence, but when they are righ next to eachother, they just sniff and then go about their business. Sometimes they will lay up against the fence, too.


            • tlpierce
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                Posted By Limit on 3/28/2017 7:34 PM

                Agree with Dana, if a small enclosed space isn’t working then I’d increase. Lots of distractions, scattered food, toys, etc. (Some of this may not work, toys only made mine territorial, but it may work for yours.)

                I too am going through the bonding process (again!) and I feel your stress. Is there anyway they can be housed together side by side, so they can see, smell, touch but not hurt? To me it sounds like your Remi is scared and is taking it out on poor Theo. Wishing you the best of luck x

                I built a C&C cage for them where one is directly on top of the other, and i dont think i’d have the space to put them side by side. But I am home with them alot and they have out time for several hours every night where they can see eachother through the gate. But im definitly going to try a bigger space and see how that goes!


              • DanaNM
                Moderator
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                  Let us know how it goes! Remember to keep it short! Don’t wait for a fight to end the date, so that you always end on a good note. Good luck!

                  . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


                • tlpierce
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                    Okay so, i tried it in the whole bathroom, and at first they chased a little and Remi was trying to assert himself. Then Theodore started to hop at Remi and was humping him. There was no biting, and eventually Remi chilled out and they both started eating and left eachother alone. This seems better than before, and we ended on them at least ignoring each other, so im hoping were taking steps in the right direction!


                  • Limit
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                    189 posts Send Private Message

                      Posted By tlpierce on 4/02/2017 12:41 PM
                      Okay so, i tried it in the whole bathroom, and at first they chased a little and Remi was trying to assert himself. Then Theodore started to hop at Remi and was humping him. There was no biting, and eventually Remi chilled out and they both started eating and left eachother alone. This seems better than before, and we ended on them at least ignoring each other, so im hoping were taking steps in the right direction!

                      All great signs! Hooray! Hope it continues to go well x


                    • DanaNM
                      Moderator
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                        That definitely sounds like progress!

                        Keep up the short dates in that space! Going from fighting to ignoring is great! After you’ve got a few short dates where they end ignoring each other, you can gradually increase the time they are together.

                        Also, for the short dates, you don’t need to have food or anything, and sometimes that can make them more territorial.

                        . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  


                      • DanaNM
                        Moderator
                        8901 posts Send Private Message

                          How’s the bonding going? 

                          . . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

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                      Forum BONDING Fighting during bonding process, HELP!