Banni Binky
Warren Scout
I have never bonded animals apart from our cats and dogs. And as they are different to bunnies and piggies, I not sure whether today can be classed as (the beginning of?) bonding, or just sheer tolerance.
When we first got Gingersnap, Tila was mighty territorial, and still is. He will not tolerate her within the boundaries of his hutch, in fact he attacks her. Although he's quite happy to sit and chat to her through the bars of their hutches.
So because I want them both to have exercise, and not only is it a health risk for Tila with cars in the yard, but it's also frustrating after 2 hours of trying to coax him back into his hutch before it gets dark, and Gingersnap is too little to leave on her own, Damian (my other half) and I built a (temporary!) run of stakes and chicken wire. There will be a much sturdier and secure one at a later date - but today they were supervised at all times.
So I hoped that being on neutral territory, they would each choose their corner under the shadecloth and let each other alone if they didn't want to play nice. But instead the opposite happened, after Tila spent the first 15 minutes pacing the wire, trying to push his way through every little gap. Only his paws and nose fit through :lol:
They both layed side by side, and began to investigate eachother. They sniffed noses, and various other places. Gingersnap squiggled and squeaked at him, Tila twitched his nose at her. And then Gingersnap began to groom Tila!! She nibbled his ears, his fur, everywhere! And he just lay there enjoying the attention. They even shared an ice pack!
Is that bonding, tolerance, or dominant-subordinant beaviour? I was so glad that they got along today, and I am equally proud of them both. Tila is my little bully, and Ginger is a biter :roll: They make a good pair it seems :lol:
What are some thoughts from people who know something about bonding?
Nibbling his ears
More grooming
When we first got Gingersnap, Tila was mighty territorial, and still is. He will not tolerate her within the boundaries of his hutch, in fact he attacks her. Although he's quite happy to sit and chat to her through the bars of their hutches.
So because I want them both to have exercise, and not only is it a health risk for Tila with cars in the yard, but it's also frustrating after 2 hours of trying to coax him back into his hutch before it gets dark, and Gingersnap is too little to leave on her own, Damian (my other half) and I built a (temporary!) run of stakes and chicken wire. There will be a much sturdier and secure one at a later date - but today they were supervised at all times.
So I hoped that being on neutral territory, they would each choose their corner under the shadecloth and let each other alone if they didn't want to play nice. But instead the opposite happened, after Tila spent the first 15 minutes pacing the wire, trying to push his way through every little gap. Only his paws and nose fit through :lol:
They both layed side by side, and began to investigate eachother. They sniffed noses, and various other places. Gingersnap squiggled and squeaked at him, Tila twitched his nose at her. And then Gingersnap began to groom Tila!! She nibbled his ears, his fur, everywhere! And he just lay there enjoying the attention. They even shared an ice pack!
Is that bonding, tolerance, or dominant-subordinant beaviour? I was so glad that they got along today, and I am equally proud of them both. Tila is my little bully, and Ginger is a biter :roll: They make a good pair it seems :lol:
What are some thoughts from people who know something about bonding?
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