I have hit a deadlock with Tarquin and Bella, everytime we take two steps forward we take one step back.
Thursday I set the up in the kitchen, totally neutral with hidey holes and food scattered about. They were fine for about 30 minutes and then had a big fight which left Bella with a bite above her eye. I believe the trigger for this was T approaching her while she was eating some celery.
I treid them in the bedroom after checking them both over and after Becca had left incase her presence caused a problem. This time T was the aggressor scrapping at bella's head whenever she came near.....she retaliated.
Next we spent 3 days getting 'acclimatised' sharing a room and run and taking it inturns to be in the cage but always within sight of each other. Lots of sitting side by side and nose sniffing.
Today I started the bond again in the kitchen. Within 45 minutes with pleading and honey i had them lying side by side. Still a few scraps started this time by bella but not nearly as bad as before. I hand fed them side by side to start combating any food aggression and they were fine. After about 2 hours we had T grooming bella but she did not return the favour, previous to this they would sit nose to nose, heads low and frozen waiting for the other to give in and groom. T is scared of bella and runs from her if she approaches him to fast or from behind.
I thought at this point, great we are making progress but alas, within an hour another big fight broke out and they are back in the bathroom, still in view but seprated.
So what do I do next? I have thought about sending them back to Becca with instructions for a slow bond and also trying some bach remedies to calm them. Are they too young or should we wait until they have been neutered for longer (T is around 7/8 weeks and i think bella is nearer to 6). I really dont want to give up on these two but my nerves are shot
Thursday I set the up in the kitchen, totally neutral with hidey holes and food scattered about. They were fine for about 30 minutes and then had a big fight which left Bella with a bite above her eye. I believe the trigger for this was T approaching her while she was eating some celery.
I treid them in the bedroom after checking them both over and after Becca had left incase her presence caused a problem. This time T was the aggressor scrapping at bella's head whenever she came near.....she retaliated.
Next we spent 3 days getting 'acclimatised' sharing a room and run and taking it inturns to be in the cage but always within sight of each other. Lots of sitting side by side and nose sniffing.
Today I started the bond again in the kitchen. Within 45 minutes with pleading and honey i had them lying side by side. Still a few scraps started this time by bella but not nearly as bad as before. I hand fed them side by side to start combating any food aggression and they were fine. After about 2 hours we had T grooming bella but she did not return the favour, previous to this they would sit nose to nose, heads low and frozen waiting for the other to give in and groom. T is scared of bella and runs from her if she approaches him to fast or from behind.
I thought at this point, great we are making progress but alas, within an hour another big fight broke out and they are back in the bathroom, still in view but seprated.
So what do I do next? I have thought about sending them back to Becca with instructions for a slow bond and also trying some bach remedies to calm them. Are they too young or should we wait until they have been neutered for longer (T is around 7/8 weeks and i think bella is nearer to 6). I really dont want to give up on these two but my nerves are shot
Last edited: