Rabbit lunging at people and bonded partner

[Dface]

So I’ve been leaving my rabbits at home with my family for half the week while Im in college. This is only a temporary arrangement.
Im currently not there but my brother messaged me to say that he and his girlfriend were sitting with them, he was petting Peep, she was petting Yumi They decided after a while to switch rabbit, and Yumi lunged at and nipped my brothers girlfriend and then proceeded to run Peep off (Like a “No, these are mine, you get no pets.” )

Since they have bonded he has always shown himself as the slightly more dominant one -and she tolerates his occasional humping very well- she never tries to stop him she simply moves away.

She loves attention and will always rush over at the first sign of pets -but even when Im petting Peep her normal tactic is to snuggle in and wait for affection so Im worried about what  happened.

I’ve asked and they said that everything is currently fine between them. and they are totally back to normal

I am a bit upset about the fact that Yumi bit a person and then nipped Peep as well  
It makes me feel like something is not the way it should be with her

[DanaNM]

Posted By Dface on 8/24/2017 4:30 PM

So I’ve been leaving my rabbits at home with my family for half the week while Im in college. This is only a temporary arrangement.
Im currently not there but my brother messaged me to say that he and his girlfriend were sitting with them, he was petting Peep, she was petting Yumi They decided after a while to switch rabbit, and Yumi lunged at and nipped my brothers girlfriend and then proceeded to run Peep off (Like a “No, these are mine, you get no pets.” )

Since they have bonded he has always shown himself as the slightly more dominant one -and she tolerates his occasional humping very well- she never tries to stop him she simply moves away.

She loves attention and will always rush over at the first sign of pets -but even when Im petting Peep her normal tactic is to snuggle in and wait for affection so Im worried about what  happened.

I’ve asked and they said that everything is currently fine between them. and they are totally back to normal

I am a bit upset about the fact that Yumi bit a person and then nipped Peep as well  
It makes me feel like something is not the way it should be with her

Peep and Yumi are a pretty new bond, right? It could be that they are feeling a bit off due to the change in surroundings and people. There could have been a weird smell (or even the smell of the new people) that set them off. Were either of them around dogs or other rabbits? 

Since they are currently back to normal I wouldn’t stress too much about it, but you could have your brother try what I call “couples therapy”. Either do some stressing (vacuum around them in a pen), or smoosh banana on each other their heads and have them lick it off. 

New bonds can be a bit shaky, especially when the location changes or weird smells are brought in. I’m guessing Yumi just got frightened. Maybe the scary smell got transferred to Peep, which is why she lunged at him? 

. . . 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.  

[Wick & Fable]

It could be moreso your rabbit was not as comfortable with your brother’s girlfriend? Someone who you’re not 100% comfortable with tried to pet you on their terms– this may have triggered the defensive reaction.

I think you know your rabbit best, and I know you mentioned your rabbit is initially bonded with your brother (not sure if I’m recalling incorrectly), but maybe ask your brother to evaluate if this is a possibility.

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.

[Dface]

DanaNM- yep they are a new bond, but they were bonded in that house (two weeks to settle individually, then bonded) and have been with my family for the past 5 weeks so should be adjusted to the people, we have a dog who they are used to but it could have been the smell of something different

Wick- She’s actually been around Yumi a lot-when Yumi’s mate died her and my brother spent an awful lot time helping care for her, so I would expect her to be relativley comfortable with her

My only other thought would be that she sees them as “hers” and not Peeps? And it’s as simple as jealousy ?

[DanaNM]

Interesting… I’m still inclined to think of it as Yumi getting spooked by something (a smell, distant sound, sudden movement) over jealousy…. jealousy is a human emotion, after all.  

But maybe they can be sure to pet them both at the same time, or alternating one to one, just to make sure? 

. . . 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.  

[Dface]

The update I got this morning was that yumi is humping peeps head. I’m a bit irritated and very upset.
I’m a bit worried that the bond had been affected and that they are going to start fighting so I’ve asked that they be separated
I’m so confused as to what happend as they were so content together for the last while

[Q8bunny]

A lot of new variables in their routine, Dface. I’m afraid that’s what’s making them act out. Can’t think of any brilliant advice to give you, but you do have two lionheads (VERY strong personality breed), who are recently bonded, and in suddenly changed circumstances re: environment and their primary hoomin. Dare I say, their reactions are normal? In an unfortunate, stressful way for you, of course. *hug*

[Dface]

Thanks Q8 !
I just got off the phone with my mom, who has been the main carer for them and she’s telling me that they are completely normal at the moment , and the trouble is only associated with brother being about.
She told me they are flopping together and yumi is still grooming peep and vice versa and there has been no aggression even at feeding time/treat giving time.

She says she has noticed absolutely no change in behaviour (apart from some sulky faces cause I told her to cut down on the treats-she was giving them too many XD )
So now I’m even more confused?!

I can’t wait to get home and sort this out myself.

[Q8bunny]

If unusual behaviour is indeed occurring only when the brother/gf combo is around, I’d lean toward a scent issue the hoomins are not aware of. Hmm… *goes to get deerhunter hat and pipe*

[DanaNM]

I wouldn’t separate them over some humping and lunging! Has there been anything that needed intervention (chasing or scuffling)? 
It really just sounds like they felt they needed a bit of dominance displays in the new area. I would have try “couples therapy” (some stressing, followed by banana on the head), as I mentioned before. 

When the issues come about, is it always triggered by the brother/gf?  

Maybe make sure the brother/gf take off their shoes before coming in, and wash their hands before petting the buns. Honestly you might just want to limit their interactions with them altogether. 

. . . 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.  

[Dface]

So since getting home last night I haven’t noticed anything amiss with my buns, they are still being cute and cuddly with each other.

No aggression from Yumi (even though I was looking for it and even tried to see if I could “provoke it” _i offered Peep a treat first and gave him a pet and Yumi just snuggled into him to wash him) so I guess its just a weird reaction to my brother (though they were grand when he was in there with me )

Oh the intricacy of rabbits!
If they hadnt told me something had happened I’d never have known that there’d been anything amiss between the pair so I think they are completely fine.

Thanks for all your advice and support-its so crap being away from them and not knowing whats actually going on!

[Q8bunny]

I can imagine…

[DanaNM]

The rabbit psyche is a mysterious thing!

Glad they are doing well again!

. . . 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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