I think were progressing...

Question
QUESTION: Ok, I'm back. so we've moved from the rabbits in the bathtub to the rabbits on the floor and there is something kind of interesting happen, or at least i think. whenever just our older rabbit is out, she gotten to be very relaxed and not really active. she'll come out, go to her litter tray, and then either go in front of her cage or back in her cage and just flop and kind of lay there, not really move around too much, come out every now and then to nudge her toys, and then go back to her cage. But, whenever we let both our rabbits out at the same time, our older (and much bigger one) chases the little one all around the room a few times, then our older one will start jumping around and binky-ing and twisting all over, and then she'll start chasing the other one again. then after a while of that, she'll go and flop somewhere, at which point our younger rabbit will go over to her and sneak up til our older one jumps up and starts chasing her again. after this goes on for a long while, our older rabbit will start grunting as she almost catches the younger one. So i guess my main question is, are they playing or is the young one just running for her life, and is the older one enjoying chasing the new one which is why she seems to be more energetic and happy when they're both out?

ANSWER: Dear Doug,

This sounds like a combination of play and dominance display.  I'm not sure what the big bunny would do if she actually *caught* the little one.  It almost sounds as if she's not really trying.  And if she gives up after just showing the little one who's boss, then it sounds as if now all she's doing is posturing.

If she catches up to the little one, does she nip, or just do a "body check?"  If the latter, then she's starting to mellow towards the little one.  The binkying is a sign that she's having a good time, and the fact that the little one approaches her after she's flopped suggests that the little one is aware that the displays are not all that serious at this point.

Sounds as if things are progressing in this difficult bonding!

Good luck some more!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: When she catches up to her, or jumps on the couch and catches her off guard, all she really does is seem surprised herself that she caught her. she stops for a second, then starts sniffing her and sometimes starts grooming the little ones ears. the whole time the little one is almost completely pressed flat on the ground, and afrer this display, she just kind of backs off and lets the little one run. then as soon as they meet again it starts all over. but just as an add on, we had both rabbits out while i was writing the last question and they were doing what i was explaing, and after some time, they seemed to have gotten closer because they did less chasing and were playing with the same hay ball inches away from each other, which to me seems like tremendous improvement.

Answer
Dear Doug,

Awwww!  It sounds as if they are on the verge of making friends.  The big one is telling the little one that she's no longer hostile, as long as the little one stays submissive (which she is doing, by staying so flat and small when the big one pays attention to her).

I think you really are on the way to success!  I hope it continues!  What a testament to your patience as a great bunny dad!! Good luck!!

Dana