Yet another “I need help bonding” post. There was one similar to my situation but it is very old and dead. So I’m adding mine to the pile. If you have the time to read it all and offer insight, it would mean a lot. I’ll try to keep it brief as possible.
M/F fixed, approx 4 years old, lop and Dwarf. Approx 2 years of bonding, with some pauses caused by moving and new jobs. read all the guides, watched videos, asked specialists, etc. so we know all the methods and terminology.
Female(F) is the dominant, and is very quiet, shy, but a little assertive at times.
Male(M) is very energetic, curious, and affectionate. Loves attention and grooming and pets from us.
We’ve tried every method, location, trick, stressful and non stressful bonding technique available and I still don’t trust them alone. We’ve done 4 overnight attempts, 2 led to major fights at night, one was successful. So we went for a second consecutive night, which led to 2 serious fights and had to be separated finally. In their past fights, he has had to go to the vet for a big gash, and has had multiple other scabs and cuts from her.
HERES THE ISSUE - they can go hours in perfection. Grooming, cuddling, flops, sharing everything including food and litter. But in an instant, the female can get bored or annoyed and bite. When she does, the male doesn’t hop away, he gets defensive and bites back, which = tornado. This equation has gone on for months on end now. Idk why she suddenly snaps, or why he feels the need to bite back. But it leads me to be terrified that if I combine them, I will someday come home to the male bloodied and terrified in a corner.
So that’s the question, what the hell do I do with them? We are moving soon but this time only one can come, meaning they have to be bonded in one carrier or someone goes. And I have accepted either solution.
EDIT: Just want to chime in and thank you all for advice. I was nervous this site may not even be legit since I’d never heard of it, let alone actually populated with helpful people. Thank you all, I will read and try to answer as much as I can.
Thanks, -J
M/F fixed, approx 4 years old, lop and Dwarf. Approx 2 years of bonding, with some pauses caused by moving and new jobs. read all the guides, watched videos, asked specialists, etc. so we know all the methods and terminology.
Female(F) is the dominant, and is very quiet, shy, but a little assertive at times.
Male(M) is very energetic, curious, and affectionate. Loves attention and grooming and pets from us.
We’ve tried every method, location, trick, stressful and non stressful bonding technique available and I still don’t trust them alone. We’ve done 4 overnight attempts, 2 led to major fights at night, one was successful. So we went for a second consecutive night, which led to 2 serious fights and had to be separated finally. In their past fights, he has had to go to the vet for a big gash, and has had multiple other scabs and cuts from her.
HERES THE ISSUE - they can go hours in perfection. Grooming, cuddling, flops, sharing everything including food and litter. But in an instant, the female can get bored or annoyed and bite. When she does, the male doesn’t hop away, he gets defensive and bites back, which = tornado. This equation has gone on for months on end now. Idk why she suddenly snaps, or why he feels the need to bite back. But it leads me to be terrified that if I combine them, I will someday come home to the male bloodied and terrified in a corner.
So that’s the question, what the hell do I do with them? We are moving soon but this time only one can come, meaning they have to be bonded in one carrier or someone goes. And I have accepted either solution.
EDIT: Just want to chime in and thank you all for advice. I was nervous this site may not even be legit since I’d never heard of it, let alone actually populated with helpful people. Thank you all, I will read and try to answer as much as I can.
Thanks, -J
Last edited:
