Bunny Bonding Mistakes That I Regret Making

Bonding is a difficult and stressful process. I made a lot of mistakes while bonding my two rabbits. It ended up causing the process to take twice as long as it could have. Here are my mistakes so you can learn from them and avoid the same mistakes.
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My name is Amy and I am the Bunny Lady!
I am a lifelong rabbit lover and have been specializing with rabbits at my local animal shelter. I am here to make sure all of you rabbit caretakers have everything you need to have a happy and healthy bunny in your home.
My mission is to help you fellow rabbit lovers get all the resources you need to help your rabbits thrive. A happy bunny is the best companion, and they are worth all the trouble those little fluffballs cause.

[@taramansion]

Not to get overly technical, but negative reinforcement is where you remove a stimulus to achieve a behavior. Using a squirt bottle would be considered punishment, more precisely, positive punishment (adding a stimulus to stop a behavior). Thank you for the video, though. I'm about to do this and plan to change some of my plans based on your experiences!

[@TinaKritzer]

We just adopted a neutered male over the weekend, he is super shy. Our spayed female is a free roam bun and very territorial. At the speed dating appointment with the rescue they did well together. Here in their neutral territory, our female keeps going after and biting the male. He's so shy that he's just sitting there and I'm intervening on his behalf. This video gave me some other ideas. First and foremost is to give him more time to get used to his new home. You're such a blessing to our family with all the bun knowledge you share.

[@valentinafk6536]

I think you should keep them separated say like have him in an xpen for a few days while he adjusts to the new home and this way they also interact safely (with a fence between them) and then eventually try to find a NEUTRAL territory in the home somewhere that maybe your girl doesn’t go very often etc. and watch them etc. TBH I’d restart the whole process and get him used to the house in an xpen still for about maybe a week or two(also mentioned in video at 3:30) and then eventually slowly start trying to bond them for short periods again.

[@JN-se4ok]

Did you manage to get your bunnies bonded?

[@ChibiPaniic]

Wow, Ellie and Teddys behaviors sound just like my bunnies, and your overall situation is very similar to mine. My female was my initial bun so she’s very territorial and also super dominant. She has been free roam as well so I don’t have a lot of neutral space. She is constantly asking to be groomed. The rabbit she chose on a date is very anxious. He’s become scared of her because he won’t groom her, so she has been getting frustrated with him and will bite. I think I tried to start bonding too soon after he came home, and I was also doing it at night because that’s the only time that worked for me since I had to do it when I got home from work. I ended up finding someone to bond them for me (they go in about two weeks so I’m hoping it works) just because it has been so stressful on me and the buns. Bonding is so difficult!

[@ShankhinsTalkShow]

I love your channel . I love Bunnies and Rabbits , mankind's cuddly , furry and loving friends

[@TheBunnyLady]

Thank you so much 😀

[@isabelles11]

Adorable Ellie was really considering if she should leave u hanging with the high five xD Love Your Videos!

[@ewhat10]

Thank you so much for all the tips! Your videos are fantastic! I know it's irrelevant, but the squirt bottle is technically positive punishment, not negative reinforcement. The "positive" means you're adding something, and "negative" means you're taking something away. "Reinforcement" means you're encouraging a behavior, and "punishment" means you're discouraging a behavior. You're adding a squirt to discourage behaviors = positive punishment. If they do something you like and you give them a treat, you're adding something to encourage behavior = positive reinforcement. If you're petting your rabbit and they do something you don't like you stop petting them, you're taking something away to discourage a behavior = negative punishment (assuming they WANT you to keep petting them). If your bunny thumps because they don't like a new object in the room and you remove that object, you're encouraging that behavior by taking something away = negative reinforcement.

[@helenbunnehmummeh5154]

9:43 awww! 🥰

[@Tanya_loudestgarden]

I have 8 week old bunny sisters. I'm so glad we went this route because they were already bonded naturally. But this is such great info. I love all of your videos. I really appreciate that you address young bunnies when you are talking about stuff like food. Most other bunny channels only talk about adult bunnies and make it sound like the diets are the same. I have learned so much from you. Thanks for these videos.

[@miriahheim]

That's a baby bond and that will eventually break.

[@guitarman4242]

great video Amy. This will save those wishing to bond bunnies anguish, uncertainty and time. Takes one who's been there and is nice enough to share their experiences to provide such valuable insights. As always, you have my respect and attention for providing such useful content.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

BTW: your tank top "HOP" is a hoot! VERY funny design! LOL!

[@Solomon0424]

"You're not hurting anybunny."

[@ravensthatflywiththenightm7319]

I'm so glad I found your channel.

[@Kenley1170]

I am trying to bond my bunnies and I found it easy to put them both in the carrier and go for a ride and I will try your tricks Love your videos:)

[@mmps18]

I'm going to start attempting to bond my rabbits so thank you for sharing!!

[@user-jx9oh8jf4y]

Very informative Thank You 😊

[@trinitrinh4071]

Thank you

[@viktorask]

Thank you.

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Not gonna lie: I replay the opening "high-5" couple of seconds of your videos over and over and over, because they are so cute and adorable. "Good job!" LOL!!

[@debbielynnsmellowminutesme7909]

Thanks I was thinking about buying two rabbits but if not bonded but now I don’t think so I have to get one at a time . I really don’t have room to do bonding I don’t think but like you said too down the road I could just need one more ex pen .. then over time maybe . I probably should start with one . Thanks so much for doing these . I want to get a shirt .

[@MereMarc]

THANK YOU AMY👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I’m still finding the time and courage to bond my boys. But once again, THIS is absolutely helpful!!! Added to my Bunnies playlist fir future reference😉 Keep up the great work🎉🎉🎉

[@yolycastro192]

Omg yes !! Me too I’m afraid to put them together I hear is extremely difficult to bond two males rabbit but I don’t know if I have the courage to get them together I don’t want to hurting each other .

[@austinsmith5357]

we love you!!

[@frederikkelunde95]

i am so excited for more bonding videos, as i have decided to get a friend for my single bunny Mia. Your videos helps me sooooooo much 😄

[@TheBunnyLady]

Good luck!!

[@Jamiesayla]

You’re gonna love the bonded pair dynamic. Two bunnies are so cute together!

[@katef9635]

Love your T-Shirt! 🙂🐰❤

[@kerryannstare]

We got our first bunny a month ago and your videos have been immensely helpful. We are hoping to add a friend in a few more months

[@TheBunnyLady]

Good luck!!

[@harryfriends6197]

Nice video!!

[@cloudlg4612]

You're so awesome!

[@happyfurhammies6539]

We all make mistakes. But I'm sure your a great owner in general 🧡

[@nipstir6897]

I use a brand of toothpaste called "Hello" reminds me of your channel intros XD

[@whateverwhenever_9987]

Hey. I switched litter boxes and put the buns in each others rooms. They both loved it. Thumper loves the window sill and the extra room. But I put them back. Idk if I should switch them for good. Thumper has her huge yard enclosure and her tunnels etc. Bambi likes those things too. Idk what to do.

[@tanuki-chan23]

Thank you for this 😊 This is really helpful when I get rabbits in the future 🐰❤️

[@traceyperez3570]

Can my 3 Bunn's, 2 newly neutered males and 1 female. Ever be able to be in the same room together without me having to watch them 24/7?

[@tanuki-chan23]

@@traceyperez3570 Hi, I joined a Philippine Rabbit group on Facebook and one of the admins/moderator there has also 2 neutered buns and 1 spayed female together in a room. It worked out pretty well for her. If you have any questions regarding to the bonding process, you may contact Ms. Dianne (the owner) thru Instagram. Her bunnies’ account is @fuzzybunny.ph Hope this help you 😊

[@traceyperez3570]

Thank you so much I will check it out👍!

[@ArtistChibi]

We got lucky with the bonding between my rabbits. We had the two being able to see each other in the blockade between my side and my husband's side of the bedroom, gave them time to get used to each other without being in the same territory. Kept it like this for a couple months after getting Xiao Wu. Now they torture us in our sleep since the bonding transition went more smoothly than expected. We did little at a time. An hour together at first, then a little longer, attempted overnight, now my bedroom is no longer separated between them.

[@kirtiprasetyawati5559]

I am cleaning everything i can 2x already before putting my newly bonded rabbits back.. hopefully this works🤞🏼

[@APisMe]

my one boy is so chill and wants to love and be loved. My girl is the same. My older boy, but still under a year grunts and growls at the younger boy. They are all spayed/neutered . The younger boy flops, grooms himself and genuinely wants to hang out. He doesn't instigate he's so chill and showing that he isn't a threat but my gosh, the older one is stalking, grunting/growling and will not relax. The girl loves everyone and they love her. I'm worried about putting them all in the same pen because I feel like mr grumpy will immediately attack

[@perrybowen3806]

We have 3 females that are sisters and we got them when they were 7 weeks old. At 5 months we had them spayed and that is when all the trouble began. The sweetest rabbit turning into a fighting machine and previously she was the lowest ranked one that was normally picked on. Had to keep all 3 of them separated and it was terrible when trying to reintroduce them. The veterinarian suggested a slow process that they have brief visits and we have tried this method for almost 4 months now. Two of them get along well now and we keep them together but the third one still wants to fight so we keep her separate still. We have kept them all close together in the same hutch but with a divider to keep them from fighting and now 2 of them stay in the same area together. Seems like many different opinions on how to bond them so we are a bit confused about which is best. The Lady from the rabbit society said we were crazy to get 3 females but at the time it didn't seem like a problem since they were all sisters anyway and they were great together until their surgery. Are we trying to do something that will never work? Do you have any suggestions that could help us to get all 3 of them like they were before? They seem frustrated and unhappy now and we wish that we didn't get them spayed in the first place at this point.🙁

[@amandawanda7074]

Hi dear how are you? I love your channel. Your videos are very helpful ellie is very cute baby I also have a bunny same like ellie. I have request for you can you please make a video about hot weather how to keep calm

[@aoifemullen9282]

I'm having a hard time bonding my rabbits, while in their side by side pens, they are fine but once they're in the nutural area they go crazy and fight 😭

[@SHOESTANDARDS]

Same how did it turn out?

[@jennavidal585]

Thanks for this video. I am doing my third bond and it never gets easier. I really loved your section about lifestyle. I have been using a tiny pen (1.2m), but my boy (who has been the boss of the house for 5 years) gets so angry and aggressive after a few hours. Everytime I ask for advice on a facebook bonding page, I am told I am not bonding for long enough and he will settle down after several hours. I don't see how that could be the case. I am now wondering if he will be happier if I increase the pen size to something that allows him to run a bit. I am just worried this will not encourage interaction and will make the bond longer. What do you think?

[@michellearsenault7184]

I have been trying to bond my two bunnies they are sisters and spade. They are a year old now and still fight occasionally but get along once in a while. I feel like I need to separate them in different rooms

[@rachellerobinson8862]

Hi Amy I love all of your bunny knowledge, it's very helpful! Would it be better to couple 2 females or a male and female? I have a 6 month old female already and I would like to get her a friend.

[@904Kellyy]

I was told same sex would most likely need to be around each other from a young age and typically male/female bond better. Not sure how true this is because I’m having a really hard time with my female and baby male.

[@uxoricide0]

hi amy and everyone! i was wondering if i could get some advice on bonding two young lionlop does. i got my first rabbit a week ago and she’s doing fine at the moment. i’m still in the process of making sure her play pen is something that she would like. i put her play pen or her main spot inside my room. so now i’m planning to get another lionlop doe friend for my bunny. and i do understand that i need to give them a separate place and wait until they’re older and spayed. every part of my house is kinda occupied so the only spot i have is my room. if i get another bunny, is it okay if i put the second doe inside my room as well? i already have a neutral spot in mind for when i want to attempt to bond them in the future. but now, there isn’t really a place for me to put the second doe other than my room and maybe just putting a fence between the two of them. i would really appreciate some tips on how to make it an easier bonding experience for both of them since i’m also kinda wary on the sensation of biting/them turning into aggressive bunnies.

[@hypnosiscenternyc]

The Bunny Lady is Adorable ... oh yea ... I forgot ... this is about rabbits ! :)

[@904Kellyy]

Can a adult rabbit and younger baby rabbit be bonded or is it harder when one is significantly smaller? Our big girl is getting very irritated when we bring the baby around her

[@BedrockIsGone]

Hi new subscriber here

[@AliceFrancesMusic]

We are in the process of bonding our rabbits . We have a 2 year old neutered male and a 7 week old female rabbit. Our original rabbit is free roaming in our living room. We have set up a temporary pen for our new rabbit. We did the switching of scents initially then after a few days of settling in our new bunny we put them together in a natural territory. We did about 20 min initially. There was no fighting but our older bunny kept humping our new bunny . We broke it up when we felt it was getting too much . Subsequent meetings have been similar. They have groomed each other but we havent left them for a ling period yet. Our plan was that eventually have them together in our living room. Any ideas / tips on next steps. I'm worried as it is his 'territory'. Any advice welcome

[@arvindgedam793]

East or West Amy and Ellie is the best ❤️❤️❤️ Lots of love from India i just love to watch you video and i have a bunny i follow you instructions please reply with big fan my name is Aaruni ❤️

[@heatherpacunas5120]

Hey I commented on ur last vid I’m moving soon could you pls do a video on how to travel with your bunnies

[@TheBunnyLady]

I made a video from when I moved to a new place last year. Hopefully it will be helpful for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGndm5SKhdOgo5o

[@heatherpacunas5120]

Thank you so much

[@sahajpalsingh8561]

Hey,my Rabbit never drinks water and whenever I make him sit with me,he runs away, please help.btw nice content

[@catherinjenita4981]

hay hii... my bunny always jump on the balcony wall what can i do to stop him .and iam in 2nd floor plzz help my to stop him

[@abbyrayn]

Help! A few years ago I got a solo bunny. Then I moved into a bigger home and thought it would be a good idea to bring two baby sisters into my home too. But I recently moved again and I have a much smaller space. I feel like I can’t properly care for all three due to lack of finances and space. I was thinking about rehoming the two sisters and find a single rabbit to bond with my other 6 year old. Because I really don’t want to separate the sisters. So because of this, I got a new baby bunny to bond with my older one because I was going to rehome the 2. Is this a bad idea? I feel like I made a bad decision and I don’t know what to do, any advice? Should I just rehome the new baby, or the 2 sisters? I hope this made sense

[@rainzulema]

Your videos are very helpful! Question: My bunnies have been bonded for about two weeks now, but my male rabbit humps the female (she doesn’t seem to mind and has never been feisty, and when she’s over it, she’ll just move away) but is that normal for the boy to hump the girl, often lol or eventually it’ll stop? They are both neutered/spayed

[@danielledansie756]

That is completely normal. They do that to assert dominance and just keep an eye out that he doesn't hump her face as it may by some chance, result in her nipping his nether regions and then vet bills ☺️

[@rainzulema]

@@danielledansie756 oh good! Thank you Danielle!!

[@christinelee1477]

What positive reinforcements can I use if one of my rabbits does not like to be pet?

[@TheBunnyLady]

You can try used small pieces of treats as long as the rabbit's don't aggressive about their food. Getting them to eat next to each other usually encourages good feelings

[@valentinafk6536]

@@TheBunnyLady she asked what reinforcement for a bunny who doesn’t like being pet not about eating/bonding haha

[@AKINAacacia]

@@valentinafk6536 same story. You want to associate your hand with good things and the best common language we have is food!

[@rabbitkotsuyu]

Your clothes are cute🐰🥰✨ Thank you for the useful information today(◡‿◡ฺ✿)

[@vanessasieder1154]

I'm curious, I wanna buy two rabbits together (siblings). Do they still need to bond or can I keep them instantly together?

[@904Kellyy]

That’s the best way to do it. If they’ve been around each other they should be well bonded

[@blondsinger38]

Are Ellie and Teddy fixed?

[@lifeofbarbie1814]

I Had My Rabbit For 5 Years And Now I’m Thinking Of Getting Another One From The Same Place I Got My First Rabbit. My Rabbit Is Calm, She Doesn’t Like Bowls In Her Cage She Flips It Over Lol. So What Do You Think I Should Do. If I Get The New Rabbit I Definitely Can’t Return It 🥺 I Saw One Today And I Wanted To Get Her But I’m Scared Idk PLEASE HELP ME !

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

Elle sounds like she's quite a bully to Teddy.

[@NeroMayCry-4]

Hello Please i want to ask you something about my bunnies My English not good I hope you understand me , i have 5 rabbits -3 boys 2 girls-( sterilization ) I have 2 rabbits with obsessive eyes (( boy and girl )), i really feel sad because i know it’s a very bad habit , what do i do to get rid of obsessive? Please tell me Also have another rabbit that started biting my other rabbit eyes , but she no obsessive with eyes, is it dangerous? (( another girl )) But i isolated her because i was afraid that she would hurt him in the eyes It’s because the females are not together ? Is biting the eyes dangerous of rabbits? They are my rabbits : Kentaru and Eva= obsessive eyes (( boy and girl)) and they are couples alone Dante and Nene = Nene started biting Dante eyes (( girl and boy )) and they are couples alone Dante and Oliver = they are good together but Nene hates Oliver (( boys )) I want a solution of the problem of biting the eyes I want to make my bunnies together but biting the eyes scared me

[@chrissyhill7890]

Best way to bond with your pet bunny?

[@TheBunnyLady]

The best way is to schedule time every day to sit with your rabbit so they can get used to you being around. You can also offer small pieces of treats as bribes to gain their trust

[@ShannonMarieMusic]

Should you use a squirt bottle if one of the buns is afraid of water? (His old owner used to give him baths and now he’s adverse to it)

[@scubatuba1083]

Should be a fine, a quick squirt is a lot different than a full blown bath

[@MR-ce6wh]

How do I introduce my rabbit to my Rottweiler.... Help

[@sahajpalsingh8561]

Waiting for your response on my other message

[@johndenver752]

just put them in together and eventually they will make friends, innit. i bought a little girl bunny last night for my boy bunny, as soon as he saw her he started shaggin it...now they are ok with each other...the boy poops in the bathroom on his own, i think he taught her or she noticed and is using the same spot as the boy.

[@JN-se4ok]

You got lucky their personalities matched... Bunnies can even fight to the death if they don't like each other. Like humans, not everyone gets along with each other. Since it sounds they might not be spayed/neutered in this case they'll be interested usually enough in each other just for breeding. If they are, then they don't have that breeding drive to want to be together either, so you would purely have to see if there is a personality clash or not. Anyways, glad to see they seemed to get along and are learning from each other!