Bunny Bonding...

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Bunny Mummy

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Hi, I am trying to rebond my 11 month old dwarf rabbit brothers back together after they fell out with each other before Christmas... After just 4 sessions in a neutral place (the kitchen) they have been getting on really well and cleaning each other with no sign of aggression whatsoever from Jasper (who turned on Teddy originally). We decided to go one step further last night and have them both on our laps in the lounge, just 6 ft away from the kitchen. Immediately Jasper became aggressive and started biting poor Teddy! Any suggestions or advice would be really useful please as we really want to get them back together but don't really know where to go from here.....Thank you
 
Are your boys both neutered? Hormones can make them irrationally aggressive.
Hi, yes they are both neutered now, they were done a while ago now, they weren't when they fell out though.
 
Have they been neutered at LEAST 6-8 weeks? Hormones take that long to dissipate. While separated, could they still see/smell each other? To really, fully reset bonding gone badly, it's best to go through 4-6 weeks of being kept in separate rooms so they can fully forget about each other. If it's been more than 6-8 weeks post neuter and they're still fighting, a hard reset is the last resort (sometimes, more than once if you're really stubborn about it, lol). M/M is typically the toughest bond to forge and there's no guarantee it'll work out... even if successful, the bond often requires mending at some point down the road, so be aware of what you're in for. It can definitely be done, though! There are numerous members here with M/M bond success stories.
 
Have they been neutered at LEAST 6-8 weeks? Hormones take that long to dissipate. While separated, could they still see/smell each other? To really, fully reset bonding gone badly, it's best to go through 4-6 weeks of being kept in separate rooms so they can fully forget about each other. If it's been more than 6-8 weeks post neuter and they're still fighting, a hard reset is the last resort (sometimes, more than once if you're really stubborn about it, lol). M/M is typically the toughest bond to forge and there's no guarantee it'll work out... even if successful, the bond often requires mending at some point down the road, so be aware of what you're in for. It can definitely be done, though! There are numerous members here with M/M bond success stories.
They were neutered months go now and we waited the required amount of time before we tried to bond them. They could still see each other when they were separate though so they haven't had a hard reset as you call it. We will give that a go although it will be hard to do it completely as when they are put in the run individually they will still be able to see each other but from a distance. Its weird how they are ok with each other in the kitchen though, not just ok, but really lovely with each other......thanks for your advice. Do you know any of the people on here that have successfully done it please? As they are brothers and were together before I stupidly didn't think it was going to be this hard, I did think once they were cleaning each other in the kitchen everything would be fine...…..silly me eh?!
 
The problem that occurred is that bringing them out of the kitchen and onto your laps interrupted the bonding process and set them back. I would suggest not doing that and keeping to the bonding area. What happens when you move them is that they will sometimes look at this as completely new territory, which means they then have to reestablish the pecking order and dominance. It's not unusual for moving newly bonded or partially bonded rabbits to a new area, causing a fight to erupt.

You may be able to continue with the bonding still. You would just have to see how they respond to each other when back in the kitchen, carefully watching for signs of aggression and ready to separate immediately before an injury can occur. If they do seem too aggressive and on the verge of fighting, you will likely have to do the complete separation for several weeks, that Imbrium suggested. If they seem ok and not overly aggressive, I would continue there and not move them to new territory until completely bonded. And even then, if their permanent home is going to be somewhere else besides in your kitchen or home, and you move them after they are fully bonded, this can sometimes cause a disruption in the bond and fighting. If this happens then what has to be done is either making their permanent home completely neutral and doing the bonding there, or gradually moving or expanding their space to their new home.

There are two methods of bonding, the fast and slow method. The slow method involves daily bunny dates with separation after. The fast method is putting them in the bonding area and not stopping until they are bonded(usually 24-48 hours, though can take longer). The problem with the slow method is that for some rabbits the constant separation after the date, can affect any progress that is made in establishing their pecking order and working out the relationship between then. When this happens it basically is like you are starting over and not making any progress in their relationship. It can even start to get worse and harder. The issue with the fast method is that some rabbits do better having time to gradually get used to another rabbit, and throwing them in together without a break can sometimes be too stressful of an experience. You will have to determine which bonding method best suits your two rabbits.

There is also the option of using a small space(2x2, 3x3) for the bonding or a larger area. Usually a smaller space is needed when you have rabbits that need to have close proximity to get to know one another faster, and would just avoid each other if a larger space is used. Using a larger area is better for rabbits that need some space and time to get to know one another, and that having too small a space is too confrontational for them. Again, you have to determine which is best for your individual rabbits.

Keep in mind that though it is possible they could rebond, it's also possible they won't. Some rabbits just absolutely hate each other, and there's not much you can do about that. I would suggest reading through these bonding links below. There are certain signs of aggression that will let you know if they aren't likely to get along, and could actually risk serious injury occurring if bonding attempts are continued. Also if all else fails, you may be able to find a rescue or bonding service in your country, that will assist or do the bonding for you.
http://www.saveabunny.org/rabbitcare/bonding-guide
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together
 
The problem that occurred is that bringing them out of the kitchen and onto your laps interrupted the bonding process and set them back. I would suggest not doing that and keeping to the bonding area. What happens when you move them is that they will sometimes look at this as completely new territory, which means they then have to reestablish the pecking order and dominance. It's not unusual for moving newly bonded or partially bonded rabbits to a new area, causing a fight to erupt.

You may be able to continue with the bonding still. You would just have to see how they respond to each other when back in the kitchen, carefully watching for signs of aggression and ready to separate immediately before an injury can occur. If they do seem too aggressive and on the verge of fighting, you will likely have to do the complete separation for several weeks, that Imbrium suggested. If they seem ok and not overly aggressive, I would continue there and not move them to new territory until completely bonded. And even then, if their permanent home is going to be somewhere else besides in your kitchen or home, and you move them after they are fully bonded, this can sometimes cause a disruption in the bond and fighting. If this happens then what has to be done is either making their permanent home completely neutral and doing the bonding there, or gradually moving or expanding their space to their new home.

There are two methods of bonding, the fast and slow method. The slow method involves daily bunny dates with separation after. The fast method is putting them in the bonding area and not stopping until they are bonded(usually 24-48 hours, though can take longer). The problem with the slow method is that for some rabbits the constant separation after the date, can affect any progress that is made in establishing their pecking order and working out the relationship between then. When this happens it basically is like you are starting over and not making any progress in their relationship. It can even start to get worse and harder. The issue with the fast method is that some rabbits do better having time to gradually get used to another rabbit, and throwing them in together without a break can sometimes be too stressful of an experience. You will have to determine which bonding method best suits your two rabbits.

There is also the option of using a small space(2x2, 3x3) for the bonding or a larger area. Usually a smaller space is needed when you have rabbits that need to have close proximity to get to know one another faster, and would just avoid each other if a larger space is used. Using a larger area is better for rabbits that need some space and time to get to know one another, and that having too small a space is too confrontational for them. Again, you have to determine which is best for your individual rabbits.

Keep in mind that though it is possible they could rebond, it's also possible they won't. Some rabbits just absolutely hate each other, and there's not much you can do about that. I would suggest reading through these bonding links below. There are certain signs of aggression that will let you know if they aren't likely to get along, and could actually risk serious injury occurring if bonding attempts are continued. Also if all else fails, you may be able to find a rescue or bonding service in your country, that will assist or do the bonding for you.
http://www.saveabunny.org/rabbitcare/bonding-guide
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together
The kitchen is just being used as a bonding area as they live outdoors so they have been regularly meeting in the kitchen for a few weeks now. We thought the next stage would be to move them out of the kitchen slowly a mere 6 ft away. Consequently, when we put them back in the kitchen the day after they were fighting they immediately went back to cleaning each other! I will check out these websites, thanks for the advice. They went from, fighting to cleaning each other in just 4 sessions originally, I was amazed at how quickly it worked but wasn't sure how long to leave it until we moved them somewhere else, I obviously didn't leave it long enough...
 

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