Erin + Dr Finlay- U/D 28th Nov .................... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today I have attempted to bond Erin and Dr Finlay. All was OK til the arthritic old boy attempted to hump Erin. She flew at him :shock: really attacking and biting Poor Dr F was so shocked he fell over and couldn't get up He is now terrified of her

I think the fact that Erin has spent years in a tiny hutch with numerous *entire* males humping her endlessly means she really will not tolerate the 'normal' humping during bonding. I dont blame her. It must have been like being repeatedly raped by different Bucks for god knows how many years As Erin is spayed her previous owner just stuck any Buck in with her

I am upset as I think Dr Finlay would love a wife. It wont be Erin though



Janex

awww that's a shame Maybe they'll be contented elderly neighbours instead?

i'm sorry things didn't work out Maybe Erin just needs more time?

This afternoon I am having one more attempt at bonding Erin and Dr Finlay
Erin is being a right little bully :roll:
Dr Finlay has not retaliated in any shape or form.......yet.....:?
He is such a gentle old Bun
I do hope Erin will stop being such a stroppy mare and that they will make friends............

Janex

Good luck, I hope they will get along this time. Must be quite an excitement for Dr Finlay after living along for such a long time.

Oh good luck Jane, I do hope they take to each other. Sending bonding vibes xx

Fingers crossed Jane. There is a chance it can work as my Joey (nethie)is a real bully, but BB (frenchie) takes it all in her stride (mind you it helps that she's 5 times the size of him:lol: )
Bonding vibes for Erin and Dr Finlay

Oh I do so hope they start to get along soon

How's the bonding going now ? Any improvement ?
Taz

Luciuslop said:

How's the bonding going now ? Any improvement ?
Taz

Click to expand...

Dr F is asleep, Erin is eating......

Dr F has not tried to hump Erin this time so it's looking a *bit* more promising :?

Janex

aww I hope it works out, keeping my fingers crossed
Sallyx

Erin is shoving her head infront of Dr Finlay demanding he grooms her. The poor old man doesn't seem to know what to do :? After 10.5 years alone in a hutch its not surprising

Now Erin has gotten fed up waiting and has chased him away and nipped his bum
I dont know if I should persevere with this bonding or not :?
There is no fighting, but seeing poor old Dr F being bullied is

HELP PLEASE !!

Janex

Firts my reference :lol: I had help bonding with a behavioural therapist, specialised in rabbits at south hampton.
I got her in because first try at bonding resulted in female in shocq and urgent vetvisit.

So...
We had a bit of the same problem ,our male didn't undestand a thing about grooming and the female reacted a bit like yours.

As long as there is no biting going on, just leave them together. They might need more time to figure out how things go and remember or learn how to communicate. Because basicaly that's what they are having now, a communication problem. As long as this situation doesn't escalate you keep them together, but do provide them with shelters (cardboard boxes) in which they can get in alone. Is one of them smaller? That would be good, to provide a hidding place in which the other one doesn't fit.

Try to get them to eat together, from the same big bowl, that stimulates positive contact.

Furthermore, encourage them, everytime they are gentle with eachother, by telling them how well they are doing (rabbits tend to understand ) you could offer a nice yummie reward each time they are near eachother and are not fighting. Again, this means "other rabbit near me, positive, because food"

The only way a human can interfer in a bonding process is that way, namely associate the other rabbit with positive things, like food or telling how good they are.

My couple went on like this for about 2 weeks, before peace finaly settles in and they started to understand eachother.

Good luck Jane!!!

Jane what set up are you using to bond them in? Can I recommend popping them both in a carrier together and carrying them with you about the house for an hour or so? Its worked quite well for me in a few 'difficult' situations.

Also popping a litle honey or banana on Erins head may help Finlay get the idea

That all sounds fine, Bessie was the same with Dallas. She demanded he groom her for a whole day and he had no idea bless him, took him a few days to get the message :roll: :lol: They were inseperable after a few days too, he follows her like a love sick puppy alot of the time then gets all macho and decides to beat up the roses or flower pots and she follows him like a real girly and tries to join in

leanne said:

They were inseperable after a few days too, he follows her like a love sick puppy alot of the time then gets all macho and decides to beat up the roses or flower pots and she follows him like a real girly and tries to join in

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Awwww :lol:

Awww I realy hope Erin & Dr Finlay become friends, if it's any help Jack kept mounting Millie everytime they were put together she wouldn't tolerate it.
when the warning growls & stamps didn't work they went to fight (obv we stopped it straight away) but after that Jack stopped mounting her.

Fingers crossed they work it out, can't blame the old boy for trying. :lol:

My Jack was a buck who had been taken from a breeder so we are surprised he never mounts, although Millie is a bossy boots

Good Luck

Janex

Awwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!

All looks good