So two more bonding essions so far. First we went over to the House Rabbit Society (HRS) and tried some bonding in an X-pen in neutral territory. Unfortunately, things weren't much different. Maryann nipped, Dono hopped away and he even begain hopping in front of her just so he could thump where she'd see it. I managed to get them quiet enough so that I could end on a good note and get them home. And, on the way home, once again Maryann let Dono groom her.

Tonight however was different. I took them on a car ride and managed to quiet them down in the same carrier. They went nose to nose numerous times without any incident. I brought them back to the created neutral space in my house and turned on the vaccuum. This also seemed to work to some extent. Maryann hopped around, checking things out while Dono remained petrified in the litter box. But, once again, as soon as Dono moved, Maryann nipped. I would seperate them, pet them, calm them down but once I let go, she went for him again. I tried removing her from the space, petting her for a little bit, then putting her back in. She immediately headed to Dono and attacked. I couldn't figure out a good way to end the session so they went back into their cages for greens.

Even the people at the HRS aren't happy with what they are seeing. I decided that if I cannot get Maryann to NOT attack Dono everytime he moves, that by January 2nd, I'm going to call his foster mother and make arrangements for her to come get him. I just don't think this is fair to him and if Maryann is so intent on being a single bunny, then she can be one.

oh how disappointing that they haven't made more progress!  maryann seems so determined to keep him in his place... maybe she's gay?    just kidding... of course... i just have nothing helpful to say.  have you been in touch with dono's foster during the bonding? 

i'm really sorry to hear things are not looking up.  Dono sounds like he's such a sweet bun who's just lookin' for love... we should get him a bunny dating reality show... lol.

i just thought of something... i know bunnies can be possessive of people... do you think the fact that you are doing the bonding primarily, that this is causing a problem with Maryann?  is it possible that a neutral person would have better luck?  a neutral person in non-neutral territory... like someone coming to your house?  would Maryann be distracted about who this strange person is?

the other thing i've been thinking, not necessarily in your case, but in bunny bonding in general... is it easier to bond after a move to a new home... when things are not yet "claimed" by anybun.  they can both start on equal ground... has anyone ever done that?

thats a good point about trying a neutral person to do bonding.  my bun chins my hands all the time when the dog's around and i take it to mean she's claiming me as 'her own personal slave' over the dog lol.  maybe thats why maryann & dono's first intro went so well... there were other humans there.

forgot to add... markus... didn't you mention before that maryann took a while to get used to your girlfriend?  maybe i'm confusing you with some one else, but if that's the case i think beka's idea is even more relevant.

yeah poor dono... i can imagine it's hard to watch him getting snubbed & bitten.  you know maryann better than anyone, so i can see why you'd not want to prolong this too much if you think she's not going to budge.  you certainly have been patient & willing to try anything.  hiding dono for a day would be an interesting experiment... do you think it'd hamper the situation somehow?   i'm wondering how she'd react to being re-introduced after a brief repreive. 

ahhh hahaha!  good one.  sorry to hear about your back markus... i can sympathize.  good luck with the HRS bonding.  hope you're feeling better / have time to post how it goes & hopefully you won't need to be puttin on that gorilla suit.  may aggrevate your back

i can imagine the doctor...

"markus... how did you re-injure your back...?"

"well, doc, i had to put on a gorilla suit and chase around the house in order to scare my bunnies into loving each other..."

"... i see..."

 LOL LOL LOL...that's quite funny to picture. Thanks for the smile. I needed that.

wow markus... what an interesting observation from the HRS people!  i was so happy to read that they are optimistic for maryann & dono.     i  can imagine its a relief to you to hear that your efforts haven't been in vain or to dono's detriment.  i agree that a bunny version of 'hitch' would come in handy for you now... i wonder how maryann will learn to groom by licking vs biting?  very interesting creatures they are!  and you're such a patient bunny dad to keep at it with them!  hope your back feels better soon

Just an update on the buns...

My back is still in pain so I am kept mostly on my back on the couch - hence bonding sessions haven't been happening.  I have managed to get up and let the little dickens have their time out of their cages though to get their exercise and for Dono to get to know the apartment better.  Maryann is always the first to come on out and I have to chase her out of the bedroom into the living room else she'll simply hop up on the bed and begin her bunny terrorist activities upon Dono through his cage.  The poor guy will still hop up to the cage wall to sniff at her only to have Maryann return a nip for his troubles.  But when she's in the living room, she's all binkies.

Dono's time out is much more sedated.  I think he's still unsure of the area around him.  He also wants to keep on going back into the bedroom to check in on the sexy doe in her cage - and again receives a nip for his troubles.  As he hops around the bedroom, Maryann will follow him inside of her cage with ears up and open towards him.  If he gets tired of all of his adventuring, he'll lie down next to Maryann's cage (it has a tray wall that is about 4" up from the ground so he can do this without getting nipped).  She, on the other hand, will dig at the bars trying to get at him.

I have standing bonding days every saturday and sunday at the house rabbit society where I can drop the two off and just lie on the ground while a volunteer worries about the buns.  I am not going to give up - especially since it hasn't even been a month yet since I've had Dono. 

glad that you're keeping up some hope with maryann & dono!  i can imagine how the back problems are interfereing... i know how debilitating back troubles are.  hope you're on the road to recovery very soon!

So something interesting happened at the latest bonding session at the HRS.  Maryann was her usually nippy self and it came down to them exploring the X-pen individually and anytime Maryann approached Dono, he simply hopped away.

As I usually do, I spend about 5 mins in the cage with them and then head out of the cage, leaving them alone because it seems that Maryann is more aggressive when I'm around (protecting her daddy).  A volunteer who was there to see another rabbit walked up to the X-pen to pet my buns.  Both Maryann and Dono immediately hopped over to her, put their heads down to get the pets - and did it nose to nose!  It looked alot like today's picture on dailybunny.com.  No nipping, no jockeying for position, just bumped heads, lowered down and waited for the pets.

I have a VERY strange girl...