two unbonded bunnies out for blood. -.-

we got our rabbit a friend to bond with a little over a month ago, but the longer she is here the more aggressive the both of them become and the harder it is to have them out without needing to constantly keep an eye out for them.

I called the shelter about a week ago to talk about bringing her back to the shelter and putting off bonding him with another one for a bit. she told me she would call me back when she has her foster ready and then i could bring her down, i am totally fine with that because she is a very very sweet bun but now im dealing with super aggression, i swear its gotten worse in the last week and a half, whenever either is out they are constantly trying to get to each other through the cages.

I let frank out but of course he spent the entire time trying to find spaces to stick his nose into her cage, which made her go at him, til i separated the two. it got to the point where i gave up and put him back in his cage.

I put up a block in front of her cage so when he was out he couldn't see her, but he can smell her so it doesn't stop him. and when shes out she just sits next to the cage and if he moves she lunges towards the cage. otherwise she sleeps in her spot behind the couch.

so how can i attempt at making these last days here less stressful for her? she is constantly on edge lately worrying about where he is and how to get to him, and I cant spend all day with my eyes on the two of them.

I guess this was half rant/half question. but I just have about reached the end of my patience with all the near fights and worrying where who is so no one gets hurt.

Did you get this rabbit after Frank chose her at a speed date? That's the best way to find a companion rabbit.

Are both bunnies fixed?

It could just be that because you're allowing them to have too much contact through the bars, they've developed a great distaste for eachother. Bunnies can hold grudges in which case many people recommend yo house them in separate rooms or put something up so they can't see/get to each other.

LakeCondo- yes she was chosen after a speed dating with 3 members of the rescue and their fosters. after speaking with another rescue member though and telling her about their date and how they react to eachother now though we decided that they arent as good of a fit as we originially thought. their first date had no aggression just ignoring.

Bunnylova4eva- yep both fixed and over 6 months ago.

holtzchick- they dont have any physical contact through their cages except for when they are find a slice of uncovered cage, but they can see eachother, I have cut plexi glass that is it put on the outside of the others cage whenever one is out because when they were first bonding i wanted them to see eachother but not be able to touch. but after sessions with fighting and aggression its just used as a barrier. I am moving one bunny into another room for the night because of maintenence being done on the apartment in the morning, do you think it would be a good idea to leave her in there until we get her back to the rescue? its just that the room isnt that big at all. its our bedroom thats 80% bed

It's good that they are willing to take her back. At least you tried! Sometimes it just doesn't work out. He'll find his mate if he wants one. And don't worry about her, it sounds like she'll get adopted pretty fast!

Unfortunately, I don't think anything will calm her down. She is in full territory mode and it won't stop until his smell is gone. So, just give her treats and snuggles until she can go back to her foster mom.

I do think that it's a good idea to leave her in a separate room altogether. That's what is recommended for re-setting bonds because after 3 weeks or so in different rooms, they tend to forget about each other (I think, or something of that sort). It's really a shame that you're bringing her back, I think it could work if you tried some different methods and slowed down perhaps since you haven't had her for that long but it is tough and frustrating bonding so I understand the feeling.

have you considered this....

If they CANNOT hurt each other, can you let them get it out of their systems?

As in let them snuffle and sniff through the bars until they get enough of each other and then they will ignore each other. Really they will.

I've seen it with my rabbits time and again.
If let run on the grass side by side with another rabbit, unable to reach through, they will scuffle and scratch but since they can't reach other other it's soon over and done with it, especially if you go over and stay (sternly) CUT THAT OUT!

Then they tend to take a chill pill and go off doing their own thing with the occasional...scratch, sniff CUT THAT OUT.. and then it's over and done with.

Let them just work it out safely (and they will since keeping up a disagreement long term is generally not what animals do). (note, I said GENERALLY as there is always an exception to every rule).

Sometimes it's the "not being able to make a decision/reach a conclusion" that creates more problems.

the above is also true... :agree