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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BONDING Grooming issues

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    • AliceLouBob
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        Hi everyone, this is my first post and I have no idea if I’m doing the right thing by adding a new topic. So apologies if there is a better way?
        I’ve just started bonding my bunnies. They’ve been familiar with each other for a year or so now as they’ve lived in separate hutches
        close by one another. When one is out in the garden they often say hello through each others bars and have occasionally laid together or
        Nosed each other through the bars. I started on day one by putting them in a deep cardboard box about 70cm by 70cm big. At first they weren’t
        Interested in each other at all. After a few minutes there was some circling and nipping, I only intervened about 4 times when it seemed to be lasting longer than I was (and they seemed) comfortable with. They eventually settled and there was less humping, a bit of circling then quite a lot of head bowing. The first session lasted about 20 mins. Later the same day I put them in a slightly larger space in an old run. They showed immediate attention for one another and there was a lot of head bowing and circling. Bobby, the male, did quite a bit of humping, and sitting on her, then they both pottered about for a while. When loulou the girl approaced him she would start by offering her head then when he ignored her, went behind him in an attempt to hump. Bobby didn’t like that and immediately turned and went to nip her. This turned into a bit of a scuffle which I intervened in. Eventually after a little bit of honey on both of their heads, Bobby began to groom loulou, quite persistently. Loulou seemed to enjoy this a lot and had a very low and submissive stance. Bobby continued for a while on and off but she could never get to return the favour as he immediately turns and clearly tells her off. I’m not sure if this is normal? Today’s session began with quite a lot of spraying from Bobby (which he hasn’t done so far- and not for a long time since he was neutered) loulou also had a wee, close to where Bobby sprayed. There seemed to be a bit more tension today and Loulou tried to hump Bobby a few times, each time unsuccessfully. Bobby gave loulou a good licking, but there was nothing else very notable. I feel like I’m being a bit impatient but I’m worried there are warning signs that Bobby isn’t enjoying the idea of being mutually accepted by loulou as a prtner and he wants to be the boss full stop. Any ideas or advice would be amazing. Thankyou!
        Sorry for the essay!


      • Mikey
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          Hehe, “Loulou seemed to enjoy this a lot and had a very low and submissive stance”, when the bunny getting groomed has their head down like that, it is them demanding that the underling groom them. So she wasnt being submissive here, she was being dominant When you say he wouldnt let her groom in return, what do you mean?

          It sounds like they are both very headstrong about being the dom and neither wants to be the sub to eachother. Since they are both spraying and peeing in the same spots, they are also fighting for territory. I would keep on with the same amount of sessions you are having, for the same time limit. I would increase the time they spend together only when it starts to become obvious that one is willing to back down and submit. Try not to intervene aside from to stop scuffles and stop any chasing. Some bonds can take a few weeks, while other bonds take a year or longer to fully cement. If after a few months they do nothing but fight about who is the alpha and neither show any signs of submitting, it might be best not to bond them to avoid further fighting and avoid possible injury

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      Forum BONDING Grooming issues