Pets mum
Wise Old Thumper
Well this was the weekend, due to various circumstances, and if I'm honest I've been putting it off, I was going to rebond Toffee (boy) and Treacle, his sister. Treacle was always the dominant one, but they had a lovely relationship, until her hormones kicked in, and then I had her speyed.
I tried putting them back together about 2 weeks after her op (I know better now) and it kicked off big time, so separated them again.
I've been putting them next to each other all week, swapping toys etc. I had a small dog crate ready, neither of them had been in it before, and was all prepared to sleep downstairs with them. I put him in, and quickly followed with Treacle. Bless her, she sniffed him, went straight to the hay and started munching happily, Toffee sat in a corner hunched up, then suddenly lunged at her, and pulled a big chunk of fur off her side. That was it, they both went for each other. I sprayed loads of water on them, clapped, but it made no difference. They were both lying on their sides going for each other, I had to go in and grab them and pull them apart.
I know to expect some chasing and fur pulling, but I think this went beyond that, but never having done a bond before I'm not really sure. I just couldn't sit there and watch them rip each into other.
So they are back in the shed, in their individual hutches. They each have plenty of room, and will have to take turns to use the attached enclosure. I will probably get another one too so they can both have access to outside.
I know some people suggest rehoming one of them, but I just don't want to part with either of them. They get plenty of attention from me, I am retired so can spend time with each of them. So that's it, I'm not putting them, or me through that again. I know it's not ideal, and I feel really upset over what's happened. I feel like I've failed them
I tried putting them back together about 2 weeks after her op (I know better now) and it kicked off big time, so separated them again.
I've been putting them next to each other all week, swapping toys etc. I had a small dog crate ready, neither of them had been in it before, and was all prepared to sleep downstairs with them. I put him in, and quickly followed with Treacle. Bless her, she sniffed him, went straight to the hay and started munching happily, Toffee sat in a corner hunched up, then suddenly lunged at her, and pulled a big chunk of fur off her side. That was it, they both went for each other. I sprayed loads of water on them, clapped, but it made no difference. They were both lying on their sides going for each other, I had to go in and grab them and pull them apart.
I know to expect some chasing and fur pulling, but I think this went beyond that, but never having done a bond before I'm not really sure. I just couldn't sit there and watch them rip each into other.
So they are back in the shed, in their individual hutches. They each have plenty of room, and will have to take turns to use the attached enclosure. I will probably get another one too so they can both have access to outside.
I know some people suggest rehoming one of them, but I just don't want to part with either of them. They get plenty of attention from me, I am retired so can spend time with each of them. So that's it, I'm not putting them, or me through that again. I know it's not ideal, and I feel really upset over what's happened. I feel like I've failed them