Erik is my two-year-old neutered male, and Ivory is a less-than-one-year spayed female.
The problem is...getting them to bond again.
Back in June, I went on vacation, and left Erik with the person who runs MHRR. I told her that she could bond him to whomever he would tolerate. Well, they had just gotten in a rabbit named Ivory, so she attempted to see if they would get along.
They got along quite well, so I said that I would take her. But I couldn't take her immediately.
This weekend, I brought Ivory home. She is a sweet rabbit but has her skittish moments. Personally I think she's mentally traumatized from the dog attack (she was found because she was screaming, as a dog was attacking her. Someone went outside to investigate and chased the dog off, and brought her in.) But as a general rule with a little patience she really likes to be petted, brushed, and interacted with.
The problem is that she and Erik aren't just going through the beginnings of bunny-bonding. I've been doing everything I"m supposed to- her cage is in my room, as Erik is a free-range rabbit, and he can sniff and smell her all he wants to.
I let them interact on neutral territory today and it was kind of a disaster. The little scuffles I expected, the sniffing I expected, the chasing I expected. But then they both got each other in a death hold and wouldn't let go. When I say "death hold", I mean, they were on the ground, bellies up, teeth sunk into the other one's scruff and neither was letting go. Blood was drawn on both parts.
In other words, we are having some seriously dominate/submissive problems.
When Erik has his bonded friend before, he was the submissive one. But he enjoyed a lot of time being the dominant after his friend died, and got used to that. And yet he seems lonely.
I know that it's early, but this death-hold seems to be a not-good omen. I sort of have this sinking feeling when it comes to these two, which is so surprising becaue they got along really well at the rescue. I think I'm going to bring them both back so they can bond on unfamiliar territory, but I don't know if that will work or not with this behavior.
I guess what I want to know is, what are the chances of their getting along?
Blood was drawn, and neither seems to be relenting. And yet, whenever she is back in her cage and Erik in the room, he just sort of ignores her, doesn't even pay attention to her at all.
*sigh* I need help.
"The Bunz of Our Lives...."
The problem is...getting them to bond again.
Back in June, I went on vacation, and left Erik with the person who runs MHRR. I told her that she could bond him to whomever he would tolerate. Well, they had just gotten in a rabbit named Ivory, so she attempted to see if they would get along.
They got along quite well, so I said that I would take her. But I couldn't take her immediately.
This weekend, I brought Ivory home. She is a sweet rabbit but has her skittish moments. Personally I think she's mentally traumatized from the dog attack (she was found because she was screaming, as a dog was attacking her. Someone went outside to investigate and chased the dog off, and brought her in.) But as a general rule with a little patience she really likes to be petted, brushed, and interacted with.
The problem is that she and Erik aren't just going through the beginnings of bunny-bonding. I've been doing everything I"m supposed to- her cage is in my room, as Erik is a free-range rabbit, and he can sniff and smell her all he wants to.
I let them interact on neutral territory today and it was kind of a disaster. The little scuffles I expected, the sniffing I expected, the chasing I expected. But then they both got each other in a death hold and wouldn't let go. When I say "death hold", I mean, they were on the ground, bellies up, teeth sunk into the other one's scruff and neither was letting go. Blood was drawn on both parts.
In other words, we are having some seriously dominate/submissive problems.
When Erik has his bonded friend before, he was the submissive one. But he enjoyed a lot of time being the dominant after his friend died, and got used to that. And yet he seems lonely.
I know that it's early, but this death-hold seems to be a not-good omen. I sort of have this sinking feeling when it comes to these two, which is so surprising becaue they got along really well at the rescue. I think I'm going to bring them both back so they can bond on unfamiliar territory, but I don't know if that will work or not with this behavior.
I guess what I want to know is, what are the chances of their getting along?
Blood was drawn, and neither seems to be relenting. And yet, whenever she is back in her cage and Erik in the room, he just sort of ignores her, doesn't even pay attention to her at all.
*sigh* I need help.
"The Bunz of Our Lives...."
