Bonding a scared bunny with Mr Confident

[Elise]

Hi! I’m in the process of bonding my two boys (both neutered, the latest over 3 months ago). I’ve tried all the methods. Adjoining cages, short dates, stress bonding and now we’re bonding in a neutral small space. I had been making progress. They went from fighting and humping (mostly from Peanut, them little bun) to flipping and grooming in the small pen. I was able to leave them for small periods of time And I slowly started upgrading heir space after a couple of days.

Then, the other day peanut suddenly decided he was afraid of Big Bun and any time bun approached Peanut Peanut would bolt, regardless of buns reason for approaching. This then causes bun to give chase, escalating the problem.

I’ve gone back a step and we’re back in the small pen but peanut still seems scared of bun. Bun is pretty relaxed about the whole thing. Flopping and grooming peanut. But if he comes towards peanut at more than a shuffle peanut will still bolt in the pen which will then turn into a small chase. ?

I was just wondering if I’m doing the right thing, going back to the crate? I keep hearing that separation is good but the reason I went to the small constant shared space is that Peanut gets super stressed by being moved for dates and I feel that this could send them further back (start the fighting again or something).

Also do you think by waiting it out for a few more days we could make progress again? Maybe just go slower before I upgrade?

TLR my bunnies are crazy I just want to smoosh them together to make them friends.

[DanaNM]

I think going back to the smaller space was definitely the right move! 

Sounds like the good behaviors just didn’t fully cement before you upgraded the space. I think your instincts are correct, prob go more slowly with each step. 

A big part of bonding is letting the buns learn to trust each other, and that can take a dif amount of time for each rabbit. Sounds like Big Bun has already decided Peanut is no threat, but Peanut isn’t so sure, so you’ll have to go at Peanut’s pace. 

I would wait until you see flopping (or at least other relaxed behaviors, like eating, grooming, etc) from Peanut, and hopefully some snuggling between the two, before you increase the space again. 

In terms of the smoosh, that is an actual technique that some people like! I haven’t used it much except for in the very early stages of bonding, which I think you are past. 

. . . 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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