paulbunnyan
Member
Hello! I have a 3-year-old neutered male English Spot mix named Paul Bunnyan and a 6-month-old Dutch mix named Kevin McCallister. I got Kevin when he was only about 4 weeks old; a friend caught him from a nearby park (not cool, I know!), probably born from domestic parents released by incompetent owners, and I took him from her.
I introduced Kevin to Paul slowly by keeping their cages nearby. After a few weeks, I started supervised bonding sessions in a neutral area. Paul probably acknowledged that the newcomer was a baby and allowed him to follow him everywhere, but grunted at him and gave him small pinches to keep him in check. Kevin seemed fine with taking on the submissive role. They eventually adopted a fairly good relationship; they weren't in love with eachother, but I'd catch them snuggling on rare occasion. I was able to keep them in one cage and leave them out together while I was gone from the house with no problems.
Like clockwork, as soon as Kevin reached his angsty teenage months, he began to pick fights with Paul. I've had to clean up lots of clumps of hair. I got him neutered as soon as the vet cleared him, and now they are separated, with Kevin living with me and Paul at my mom's house. They have been apart for about 3 weeks now.
My question is, how much longer until I should attempt the bonding process again? I'm afraid of starting too early where memories of their fights are still fresh, but I also want to get Paul home as soon as possible without compromising any success. I'm petrified they'll never be friends again, but does the fact that they were friends before have any bearing on their future? Advice from those who've successfully re-bonded male pairs is appreciated!
Thanks!
I introduced Kevin to Paul slowly by keeping their cages nearby. After a few weeks, I started supervised bonding sessions in a neutral area. Paul probably acknowledged that the newcomer was a baby and allowed him to follow him everywhere, but grunted at him and gave him small pinches to keep him in check. Kevin seemed fine with taking on the submissive role. They eventually adopted a fairly good relationship; they weren't in love with eachother, but I'd catch them snuggling on rare occasion. I was able to keep them in one cage and leave them out together while I was gone from the house with no problems.
Like clockwork, as soon as Kevin reached his angsty teenage months, he began to pick fights with Paul. I've had to clean up lots of clumps of hair. I got him neutered as soon as the vet cleared him, and now they are separated, with Kevin living with me and Paul at my mom's house. They have been apart for about 3 weeks now.
My question is, how much longer until I should attempt the bonding process again? I'm afraid of starting too early where memories of their fights are still fresh, but I also want to get Paul home as soon as possible without compromising any success. I'm petrified they'll never be friends again, but does the fact that they were friends before have any bearing on their future? Advice from those who've successfully re-bonded male pairs is appreciated!
Thanks!