bunniesgalore
Alpha Buck
Milly recently was at the vets for 6 days. On her return I put her in the 'animal' bedroom with Rupert and when Rupert saw her he ran out the room at high speed. When he returned he sniffed Milly and things seemed to be Ok. However, later when Milly hopped to the loo Rupert lunged towards her grunting. As Milly was and is still unwell (upper respitory infection and growing abscess) and it was bedtime, I put Rupert in my room for the night and left Milly alone.
The next day I tried again but this time when Rupert approached Milly she went for him and tried to bite him. I don't think he noticed but I obviously removed him from the room again. I think she went for him as he bounded over and she was still feeling very fragile. I think she was protecting herself from being hopped on more than attacking him if you see what I mean?
I don't know how to deal with things now. Milly is alot better although we will have to deal with this abscess soon and as she's still unwell I don't want her to have to deal with alot of stress, chasing etc.
Rupert and Milly were VERY slow to bond. Initially they attacked each other and Rupert bit Milly badly. Rupert had previously been bonded with a lady bun who attacked him and hurt his ears so he is understandably wary. It literally took months to bond them. Milly made it clear throughout that she wanted to bond and sat outside the stairgate on Ruperts room etc. She was a star with bonding and very patient even when Rupert grunts and rushes at her (part of his personality!)-he does it to me too-Mr Grumpy Grunt is his nickname!
Rupert is the most frightened man I've ever known-he's very fearful of just about everything. That said, once bonded they made a super pair and Milly helped Rupert with his confidence hugely-he used to be constantly terrified and now isn't. Rupert was very good to Milly when she returned from a day trip for dental work; it's the several days that's been the issue. I couldn't have Rupert with Milly at the vets as she was too ill and Rupert would never have coped with the fear.
Meanwhile, Rupert is happy in my room and Milly wants to explore now. They need each other though-Milly has alot of treatment ahead and needs Rupert and he needs her as he's currently not moving from behind an armchair in my room much.
Do we have to literally start from the beginning? Rupert has always been the aggressor and bites. He's californian so huge compared to Millys medium lop. Do I leave it for now until Milly is better which could be a while? Surely the longer they're apart the more problems develop? I know they're better together-I am a strong believer in bunny friends but can't risk milly being hurt, nor things getting worse. It was SO hard getting them together in the first place and I am gutted they've apparently lost their bond. What can i do? Please advise.
The next day I tried again but this time when Rupert approached Milly she went for him and tried to bite him. I don't think he noticed but I obviously removed him from the room again. I think she went for him as he bounded over and she was still feeling very fragile. I think she was protecting herself from being hopped on more than attacking him if you see what I mean?
I don't know how to deal with things now. Milly is alot better although we will have to deal with this abscess soon and as she's still unwell I don't want her to have to deal with alot of stress, chasing etc.
Rupert and Milly were VERY slow to bond. Initially they attacked each other and Rupert bit Milly badly. Rupert had previously been bonded with a lady bun who attacked him and hurt his ears so he is understandably wary. It literally took months to bond them. Milly made it clear throughout that she wanted to bond and sat outside the stairgate on Ruperts room etc. She was a star with bonding and very patient even when Rupert grunts and rushes at her (part of his personality!)-he does it to me too-Mr Grumpy Grunt is his nickname!
Rupert is the most frightened man I've ever known-he's very fearful of just about everything. That said, once bonded they made a super pair and Milly helped Rupert with his confidence hugely-he used to be constantly terrified and now isn't. Rupert was very good to Milly when she returned from a day trip for dental work; it's the several days that's been the issue. I couldn't have Rupert with Milly at the vets as she was too ill and Rupert would never have coped with the fear.
Meanwhile, Rupert is happy in my room and Milly wants to explore now. They need each other though-Milly has alot of treatment ahead and needs Rupert and he needs her as he's currently not moving from behind an armchair in my room much.
Do we have to literally start from the beginning? Rupert has always been the aggressor and bites. He's californian so huge compared to Millys medium lop. Do I leave it for now until Milly is better which could be a while? Surely the longer they're apart the more problems develop? I know they're better together-I am a strong believer in bunny friends but can't risk milly being hurt, nor things getting worse. It was SO hard getting them together in the first place and I am gutted they've apparently lost their bond. What can i do? Please advise.