Fighting or normal?

[debpayne]

Hello.
Cookie and Rolo have been in seperate but adjoining hutches and runs since he was neutered, nearly 3 weeks ago now. Anyway today while I was doing the litter trays, I left both lids off the runs as it was pouring and I was trying to be quick. Cookie (doe) suddenly leapt over into Rolos run and as she entered the hutch he just went "beserk" only word I can think of to describe it! He lunged at her, not trying to mount but he bit her, kept hold of her and kind of swung her round. I didn;t know what to do so I grabbed a towel and threw it over them...Poor Cookie was absolutely shaking and cowering under the ramp in the hutch....I quickly took Rolo out and put him in her run but left Cookie in the other hutch as she was hiding....When I went to pick up the water bowl Rolo then lunged at me as though he was going to bite me!! :shock: and started banging his back legs oooo. I know it's meant to be the other way round but his temperament seems to have changed for the worse since being neutered...I'm dreading having to rebond them. Any advice as to why he is acting like this...Thank you
Deb

[kayjay]

I'm sorry I don't know but it's certainly not 'normal' bonding for him to do this - you did absolutely the right thing seperating them. When you come to rebond you'll need totally neutral territory for them. How scary for you and for Cookie :(

[Angie65]

His hormones might be on the rampage for 6-8 weeks after his neuter, so he won't be ready yet. Any behaviour improvement is usually after this period:D

If she isn't spayed, the smell might drive him wild with desire too. Also, he might be territorial. As long as both buns are ok in themselves, I'd just keep them living next door to each other & try bonding in 5+ weeks:D

[debpayne]

Many thanks. I didn;t have any intention of putting them back together until a few weeks after we get her spayed but she turned into a master hurdler...think she must have regretted it though..I felt so sorry for her she was really shaking and kind of looked in shock..she's such a sweetie, bless her. Will be more careful in future.

Deb