Bonding Pip to her new friend
- Thread starter Mervinius
- Start date
Mervinius
Mama Doe
So I decided to stop at 10.5 hrs. I was really hungry and hurt all over from sitting on concrete all day. Also I felt the pen was too large for me to be able to intervene if I left them together without me inside the pen. I'd rather do it during the day and then if they behave I can continue through the night, rather than start late in the day.
So my plan is to shrink the pen down tomorrow and then I can feel safe about being able to intervene from outside the pen if needed.
Pip did eventually stop trying to escape the pen and they snoozed for a really long time and she managed 3 flops, which I'm glad she felt relaxed enough for that. It was their first day date, all the others have been in the evening and I think that upset her the most because she wanted to be back in her castle.
I think the main issue is Pip decides she wants to move him on from wherever he's sat and give him a nip and that is when they end up having a squabble especially if they are head to head.
So they need to decide who's boss, and Pip needs to accept she wont be let out. They will eat, sleep and drink near each other though.
So my plan is to shrink the pen down tomorrow and then I can feel safe about being able to intervene from outside the pen if needed.
Pip did eventually stop trying to escape the pen and they snoozed for a really long time and she managed 3 flops, which I'm glad she felt relaxed enough for that. It was their first day date, all the others have been in the evening and I think that upset her the most because she wanted to be back in her castle.
I think the main issue is Pip decides she wants to move him on from wherever he's sat and give him a nip and that is when they end up having a squabble especially if they are head to head.
So they need to decide who's boss, and Pip needs to accept she wont be let out. They will eat, sleep and drink near each other though.
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Mervinius
Mama Doe
I'm sorry I've failed. I tried and they started badly fighting straight away like when we first introduced them in the kitchen. I dont think he likes being in small spaces, he tried to go into a bunado a few times before I decided it wasn't going to work and my nerves were shot. Pip was freaking out that she was stuck in a small space, which i think he picked up on, she was bouncing off the walls.
Having a mini meltdown now and he looks worried, he has such a sweet nature towards me.
joey&boo
Wise Old Thumper
Big hugs. No way have you failed, you've given this everything. It is not your fault your bunnies are being really difficult to bond (& they are!)
Honestly in your shoes I'd get in touch with that bonder your vet recommended. They should be able to give you their professional & experienced opinion on whether they are bondable Bumble & Pip might also benefit from being an entirely neutral territory.
Honestly in your shoes I'd get in touch with that bonder your vet recommended. They should be able to give you their professional & experienced opinion on whether they are bondable Bumble & Pip might also benefit from being an entirely neutral territory.
Mervinius
Mama Doe
Thanks. I dont think it helps that we don't have any neutral territory, so maybe it will make a difference if they go somewhere new and with someone more experienced. I dont think they hate each other, because I have seen positive behaviour at times. Just feeling way out of my depth and exhausted.
I have contacted the bonder who runs a small rescue and hope she gets back in touch and has space to do some bonding for us. I'll let you know what she says.
Thanks for everyone's advice so far, I do appreciate it. I don't want to give up on him, he has brought Pip back out of her shell and she's eating way more hay than she ever has before.
Mervinius
Mama Doe
Thanks that's very kind. I didn't realise it would be this hard. I miss having happy bunnies bouncing around the house and jumping on the sofa to say hi. I'm still missing Archie and his cheeky little personality, and this has all been too much pressure on me, you are right.
I'm always the strong one and totally stubborn to make things work, but this has beat me today.
Scrappy's Little Helper
Mama Doe
I'm really sorry you've had a setback with the bonding 
I agree with Petsmum and J&B, you haven't failed. You did fantastically well yesterday keeping them together for 10 hours. I know it probably doesn't feel like it right now, but that's a lot of progress.
The problem with bonding is that it's not an exact science. What works with some bunnies won't necessarily work with others. Hopefully the bonder will be able to help them get through this tricky stage, but just remember that you've already put in a lot of the ground work already.
I agree with Petsmum and J&B, you haven't failed. You did fantastically well yesterday keeping them together for 10 hours. I know it probably doesn't feel like it right now, but that's a lot of progress.The problem with bonding is that it's not an exact science. What works with some bunnies won't necessarily work with others. Hopefully the bonder will be able to help them get through this tricky stage, but just remember that you've already put in a lot of the ground work already.
Mervinius
Mama Doe
Thank you, no it doesnt feel like it, but I also know you are right and I have put in alot of effort.I'm really sorry you've had a setback with the bonding
The problem with bonding is that it's not an exact science. What works with some bunnies won't necessarily work with others. Hopefully the bonder will be able to help them get through this tricky stage, but just remember that you've already put in a lot of the ground work already.
Yes, maybe it will make it easier for the bonder to finalise the bond. I've not heard from her yet, so will have to wait and see.
my partner is back from work, so just having a think about how we might rejig the lounge so we can put their pens next to each other for the time being and we get some space back. Pip will have a smaller area, but she will have to get used to that if she's going to a bonders anyway.
It’s not your fault and you haven’t failed at all. Sending hugs xx
Mervinius
Mama Doe
Thanks, unfortunately the lady doesn't do private bonding.
so not sure what to do next. I'm messaged the rescue we got him from to see if they can bond them, but its quite a drive.
bunny momma
Wise Old Thumper
Take a breather to calm your nerves. Side by side pens may be a good next step. Pip and Bumble have come a long way. Sending gentle hugs to you.
I wouldn't keep changing the main set up as that is just another source of stress / irritation to the rabbits. They really need constancy so they know what they are dealing with, and the only 'new' thing is each other. You could add eg some extra hiding places (boxes?) or piles of hay, for example, to provide distractions.
Mervinius
Mama Doe
We haven't changed Bumbles set up since his first week here. It's only Pip that we put her in a pen in her corner of the room, which we had to do to get her used to being in a pen.
I was just planning on moving them both into that corner, so they were side by side and he had a bit more room. But I do understand your point and haven't done any changes yet.
However I don't feel like I'm in the right head space to do any more bonding anyway. I won't have any more time off until the new year.
Mervinius
Mama Doe
No i don't have any. I think that's probably the main issue.
Pip has been everywhere in this house.
I had similar when I bonded my last pair. Frosty had been everywhere! I picked the room he had been in the least and didn’t allow him access to it for a few weeks before bonding if I can recall. I steam cleaned and sprayed vinegar and water mixed 50/50 in the area the bonding pen would be. I think if you can do similar and then try in the new year fingers crossed it will be fine.No i don't have any. I think that's probably the main issue.
