Is it time to give up?

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...

First - I have no personal experience in bonding, my does are mother-daughter pairs, and there wasn't real bonding necessary when I got a doe spayed as cuddlebun for my buck.

There are times when he cant help himself and tries to hump her for hours each day, he even ran his feet bloody this spring because she just keeps hopping away, Dotty isn't offended by it, just a little annoyed now and then. But by now he's back to normal, spring fever is over.

So, in a nutshell, there isn't a real problem, it's just the humping? As I said, no personal bonding experience, but what strikes me as odd is doing sessions, over and over again. Always starting at square 1.
It trains him: meet girl, try to hump before getting separated, not much chance to go beyond that. She never is long enough around him for his exitement to die down.

I avoid separating rabbits, imho that just creats problems. One becoming bigheaded, forgetting their place in the pecking order because noone there to remind them, and so on.

In your case, I would prepare an environment where she can get away from him if she wants, like cardboard boxes (always 2 holes), a very low table to get under where he just can't hump her, dividers and several resting places so they can get out of each others eyes if they feel like it.

As an afterthought, if you feel more comfortable with a single rabbit, and know a good place for the girl, there is no reason to not go that way. Pets are here for us, life is short, there is no point spending years with a combination one isn't comfortable with.

You can get these wooden tiles from Home Depot and then set up a play pen. I’m not really sure what to do, as this situation hasn’t happened to me.

This seems to be a rough position to be in. You have to make a decision that will benefit both you and the bunnies. If you feel she will be better off in another home (which is 100% okay), it may be best to rehome her. It doesn't seem to be a pair that's working out if the humping isn't showing any signs of stopping anytime soon. Bonding certainly isn't easy. You've tried your best with Betty, but in the end it's not worth all the stress.

Thank you for your replies and kindness, I was dreading being told I’m a horrible bunny mum!

Regarding the play pen idea- I just think it would be unfair for my boy to go from free roam to back in a pen. Also, we don’t have the space for a large pen so seems a little mean on them. In a selfish way, I love him sitting on the sofa/ bed with me and running around in the evenings too.

I’m not going to make any rash decisions, but I’m thinking just having one bun inside would suit our life and house much better.

Thanks again xxxx

It sounds like the boy would be the perfect rabbit for you where you are now. The girl is just being difficult in more ways than one. If you have a happy place for her to go, it seems it would be better for her as well as for you. I wouldn't feel guilty at all.

I agree completely with Prietler here...

Preitler said:

Pets are here for us, life is short, there is no point spending years with a combination one isn't comfortable with.

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