Hello to whoever is reading this,
Last Easter I bought a baby French Lop, Thumper, he lives in the house, mainly in the basement which leads onto the garden. He has access to all the house when we are home and loves to sit in the lounge watching TV. He behaves more like a cat! As we are out most of the day, I felt he could do with the company of his own kind. So, after having him neutered late December, we went along to the local rescue centre and chose him a mate. (they don't operate a dating service).
We chose Honey, a 2 year old spayed lion head. Brought her home and placed her in Thumpers very large dog crate he uses for food, litter tray etc, which is in the basement. Thumper hopped straight over to her, they sniffed each other through the bars and then he nipped her. Twice. Honey spent the rest of the evening ignoring Thumper with her back turned towards him.
I spent the following 10 days swapping them over as per instructions for bonding. The first introduction (5 mins) was held in the bathroom, (only neutral area)it went well with Honey snuggling up next to Thumper. The second date there was some aggression. The third date, Thumper humped Honey, tried for a second time and she wasn't having any of it! Their fourth date, some days later, Thumper tried as he usually does to hump Honey within the first few seconds of being let loose in her company. (even with distractions!) She wasn't interested, he backed away, she then was interested, kept going up to him, he obliged, afterwards they both belly flopped, looked happy, Thumper decided he wanted another go, she didn't, he chased her, she fought back and fur was pulled!All this in 15, 20 mins!
We kept them seperated for almost two weeks, on advice from rescue centre. Tried to introduce them again yesterday, in the garden, taking advantage of some decent weather. Thumper immediately went to hump Honey, we pulled him away, he ate some food, whilst Honey explored the garden, she came up to join him and eat, they both sat face to face, she looked like she was nibbling his face, affectionatley, she hopped off, he decided to have another go at humping her, she retaliated and a horrible fight broke out, which ended up with Thumper biting some of her fur AND skin!
I don't want to give up on her yet, but really don't want the stress of them fighting. I also don't want them living seperately which defeats the object of giving Thumper a companion.
Thank you in advance to anyone who can help with some advice on what to do next!
Last Easter I bought a baby French Lop, Thumper, he lives in the house, mainly in the basement which leads onto the garden. He has access to all the house when we are home and loves to sit in the lounge watching TV. He behaves more like a cat! As we are out most of the day, I felt he could do with the company of his own kind. So, after having him neutered late December, we went along to the local rescue centre and chose him a mate. (they don't operate a dating service).
We chose Honey, a 2 year old spayed lion head. Brought her home and placed her in Thumpers very large dog crate he uses for food, litter tray etc, which is in the basement. Thumper hopped straight over to her, they sniffed each other through the bars and then he nipped her. Twice. Honey spent the rest of the evening ignoring Thumper with her back turned towards him.
I spent the following 10 days swapping them over as per instructions for bonding. The first introduction (5 mins) was held in the bathroom, (only neutral area)it went well with Honey snuggling up next to Thumper. The second date there was some aggression. The third date, Thumper humped Honey, tried for a second time and she wasn't having any of it! Their fourth date, some days later, Thumper tried as he usually does to hump Honey within the first few seconds of being let loose in her company. (even with distractions!) She wasn't interested, he backed away, she then was interested, kept going up to him, he obliged, afterwards they both belly flopped, looked happy, Thumper decided he wanted another go, she didn't, he chased her, she fought back and fur was pulled!All this in 15, 20 mins!
We kept them seperated for almost two weeks, on advice from rescue centre. Tried to introduce them again yesterday, in the garden, taking advantage of some decent weather. Thumper immediately went to hump Honey, we pulled him away, he ate some food, whilst Honey explored the garden, she came up to join him and eat, they both sat face to face, she looked like she was nibbling his face, affectionatley, she hopped off, he decided to have another go at humping her, she retaliated and a horrible fight broke out, which ended up with Thumper biting some of her fur AND skin!
I don't want to give up on her yet, but really don't want the stress of them fighting. I also don't want them living seperately which defeats the object of giving Thumper a companion.
Thank you in advance to anyone who can help with some advice on what to do next!