Rabbit Aggressive Behaviour

Question
Is there anything we can do to calm our aggressive Netherland dwarf rabbit?

A few months ago we acquired a lionhead/dwarf cross and he is the most gentle soul.  We thought he might like a companion and got him a little Netherland Dwarf friend.  Unfortunately we have been sworn enemies since the start (separate cages and playtime etc) and physically fight through the bars.  He was a little aggressive with us and slightly bite happy so we have tried hand feeding treats, not over handling him and creating a safe environment.  We then got both of them neutered and although this has subdued his hormones somewhat he is still not as gentle as our first rabbit.  After a period of eight weeks we tried to re-introduce them in a neutral space but our first rabbit (slightly bigger) got feed up of being pestered that he lashed out with a paw.  Minutes later our poor dwarf rabbit was cowering and after a visit to the vet has had fur shaved and stitches to treat a laceration round his neck.  On the day he came home he was slightly sheepish but now he is trying to annoy our other rabbit through the cages again.  He has also bitten my partner twice when he tried to examine the wound.

We just don't know what to do, we have a lovely rabbit who although not as loving as our first one has his own special qualities but we constantly fear being lunged at or bitten.  He was never mistreated and came from a special breeder/shower of Netherlands dwarfs so we know he hasn't been abused in any way.  It must also not be fun for him - we know that our two rabbits will probably now never get on but we would like him to be happy and aggression free.  

All advise warmly received.  Thank you.

Answer
Hi,

sorry to hear the bonding didn't work out.

Just keep in mind that they are young rabbits and as juveniles, haven't 'settled down' as much as they probably will.  Some of it is certainly personality which may never change.  But some rabbits are just happier being solo bunnies and having people around.  Over time they might get to the point where if they see each other through the gates, it won't be a big deal.  

There is a trust thing that probably needs to develop further between you and the netherland dwarf, as you've had him less time.  Every rabbit develops that trust at different rates.  

Patience is the key.  It will pay off in the end.  You will learn to see the small, positive behavior changes as they come, and eventually you will see how far he will have come in trusting you and realize there has been a lot of progress made after all.  And you will feel it has been worth it.

In the meantime, wear sweatshirts to help protect against nips.  Strongly recommend setting it up so that your bunny can go in and out of his cage at will as opposed to having to pick him up to take him out or put him back.  If it's off the ground, build a carpeted wooden ramp for him to use.  To get back into his house, train him to eat his dinner only in his house and don't feed him any meals or treats when outside the cage, just water and a little hay.  When you put his dinner in his house, show him, and he'll go up to eat, and then you can tuck him in for the night that way, and you both win, because he went up on his own, and you wanted him to.