Rough Grooming

[goneforbaroque]

I have two fixed male rabbits both about 2 years old. I've been working on bonding them since early September. They're doing pretty well but one of my rabbits seems pretty socially oblivious and often ignores the signals given by the other. They've started to groom each other sometimes, but sometimes one will be very rough and end up nipping the other, who gets mad and swats him on the head making him run off. Suggestions? I mostly tell them "gentle" and stroke both their heads so they'll be happy with their faces close to one another.

 

[goneforbaroque]

Still waiting.

 

[elrohwen]

I think you'll just have to let them sort it out. The receiver will either have to learn to accept it, or let the rough groomer know once and for all that it's not ok.

In my pair, my female is a very rough groomer and looks like she's eating the eys of my male. He seems to enjoy it though and has gotten used to it, so it's not always as bad as it looks to us humans. They just have to learn what the other bun can tolerate and it takes some time. As long as no fights are starting, I think you need to leave them together for longer and longer periods of time to give them a chance to sort it out.

 

[goneforbaroque]

Its weird because he'll start gentle then go harder and harder and when he is corrected he leaves. Oh well. Sorting it out they'll have to do.