male bunnies

Question
hello Elizabeth
Hope you can help me out. I have 2 male lionhead rabbits, Bugsy and Malone, brought as babies together 2 months ago. The idea was to keep them as house rabbits, but i seem to have had endless problems.

We thought they were from the same litter, but Bugsey seemed to develop far quicker then the other and as he started mounting Malone we took him to get neutered, but 2 days after his operation the mounting was 100% worse and we had to separate the 2, which meant traiing etc was interrupted.

3 weeks later it was malones turn and all went well, we re-introduced the rabbits and the fighting stopped, but Bugsey is still mounting Malone 6 weeks after his operation and Malone is becoming a timid, subservient bunny where he used to be very out going.

I don't know when this is going to stop as I'd like them to be together, they love snuggling up and only fought just before Malone got neutered. Are they just sorting out who the more dominant one is, should I leave them to it, or will it stop? Surly Bugsy should have a desire to do it so much now?

Our other problem now is training, the peeing is good, they always go in the tray, apart from a few times around the operations and a few sprays when hopping around but the poohs go in a verity of places and my partner has now said they must live out side. So when hes in they are out in the hutch, when its just me they are in and I'm attempting to train them, but how do you tell a rabbit off for pooping in the wrong place?! Surly the litter training is more instinct for them?

The long and short of it is I'd like my bunnies to be happily living indoors, together not humping and my cheeky TV watching Malone to be back to normal. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you Cherrie, Bugsey and Malone x

Answer
Hi Cherrie,
 yes,I understand your dilema.  when the store sold you 2 rabbits to live together,they were not fair or professional by selling you 2 males together.  Males cannot live together,even neutered...they become as you can see very territorial.  the dominance won't end,and the smaller of the 2 will become injured eventually,or even killed in some instances.  I'm sorry that you have to go through his trouble,it happens so often with male bunnies...very unfair to sell 2 males,for you and for the buns. 2 females are great together,or a neutered male and female ...but 2 males really is a nightmare unfortunately.
 The toilet training is good for the urinating,but useless for the pooping as rabbits tend to poo every 5 mins...picking up the poops is a regular activity when they live in the house.  I keep my rabbits in hutches outside..with the proper housing,they can live very happy and long lives outside.  the fresh air and changing of coats each season is very healthy and natural for rabbits.  If you don't want the 2 males alone in seperate houses,you can place the 2 hutches right beside eachother,they will see eachother and appreciate the company without anyone getting hurt.
  I wish you luck,and hope you find a good solution in somehow managing to keep your males...good luck,Elizabeth