Charlotteandbetty
Active Member
I'd really appreciate some advice as I'm totally unsure what to do...
Sorry, it's a bit of a long one... I wanted to get my stroppy 10-month-old girl a friend as she seemed unhappy- she's been a bit of a nightmare since 3 months with carpet chewing, attacking me, food aggression etc. She's been neutered for 6 months now and has calmed down a bit, but not enough to live inside (fully- carpeted rental flat, can't risk any more damage from her).
4 months ago we adopted a 4YO boy and kept them separate - him inside, her free-roam on our roof terrace. We did weeks and weeks of pre-bonding whilst waiting for his operation date and then got him neutered. He hadn't met another bunny in his 4 years with his previous owner, and is incredibly affectionate with humans. I think I then started their dates too quickly after his neuter (about 2 weeks). Whilst they have NEVER fought, he will not stop humping and chasing her. Before his neuter, he humped and circled me. He no longer does this at all, but I'm worried he's learnt to do that to her and its now habit.
I stopped the dates for a few weeks, and have since everything to get them to bond and him to stop the humping. It's now been a few months and still he shows no signs of stopping the humping. She obviously doesn't like it and runs away from him. Still no aggression at all though. For the 10 seconds he lies down in between humps, she adores him and grooms him constantly. He has never groomed her, only humped.
They still live apart obviously. I have tried long bonding sessions, up to 4 hours, to see if he'll calm down. He doesn't, still chasing her and humping every few minutes after all that time hanging out.
What do I do? I know of a brilliant home for Betty, where she'll be bonded with another male and will be spoilt rotten - do I say goodbye? Do I keep trying to bond them? My original plan was for them both to live outside on the terrace (due to mentioned carpet issues with Betty!), but he's such a good boy and is trusted enough now to live fully free-roam inside all day and night. He shows me loads of affection and even sleeps at the end of our bed- will he be happier alone and inside?
I'm so confused. Any ideas welcome...
Sorry, it's a bit of a long one... I wanted to get my stroppy 10-month-old girl a friend as she seemed unhappy- she's been a bit of a nightmare since 3 months with carpet chewing, attacking me, food aggression etc. She's been neutered for 6 months now and has calmed down a bit, but not enough to live inside (fully- carpeted rental flat, can't risk any more damage from her).
4 months ago we adopted a 4YO boy and kept them separate - him inside, her free-roam on our roof terrace. We did weeks and weeks of pre-bonding whilst waiting for his operation date and then got him neutered. He hadn't met another bunny in his 4 years with his previous owner, and is incredibly affectionate with humans. I think I then started their dates too quickly after his neuter (about 2 weeks). Whilst they have NEVER fought, he will not stop humping and chasing her. Before his neuter, he humped and circled me. He no longer does this at all, but I'm worried he's learnt to do that to her and its now habit.
I stopped the dates for a few weeks, and have since everything to get them to bond and him to stop the humping. It's now been a few months and still he shows no signs of stopping the humping. She obviously doesn't like it and runs away from him. Still no aggression at all though. For the 10 seconds he lies down in between humps, she adores him and grooms him constantly. He has never groomed her, only humped.
They still live apart obviously. I have tried long bonding sessions, up to 4 hours, to see if he'll calm down. He doesn't, still chasing her and humping every few minutes after all that time hanging out.
What do I do? I know of a brilliant home for Betty, where she'll be bonded with another male and will be spoilt rotten - do I say goodbye? Do I keep trying to bond them? My original plan was for them both to live outside on the terrace (due to mentioned carpet issues with Betty!), but he's such a good boy and is trusted enough now to live fully free-roam inside all day and night. He shows me loads of affection and even sleeps at the end of our bed- will he be happier alone and inside?
I'm so confused. Any ideas welcome...