Things Humans Do That Hinder Bonding

          I am often asked why bonding takes so much work and time. It's a multi-faceted answer. Each individual bonding scenario requires careful analysis. Since humans rely on sensory input to determine progress, when our eyes don't see it, we think there hasn't been any. This is not only false but often produces feelings of discouragement which bunnies can smell. Each time we feel an emotion, our bodies release hormones related to that emotion that bunnies perceive as negative. So, when people become disheartened, it stifles bonding. Before tackling sessions, reset your mind to positive hopeful outlooks and you will avoid the number one hinderance to bonding.
           The number two impediment to bonding is judging the time it takes. Bunnies operate on a large scale nature-based way to quantify time whereas humans judge time by small nature-based ways. In the wild, rabbits understand timeframes seasonally. They know what food, hiding spots, and predators are available based upon climate.  Humans rely on the sun-to-moon ratio of a twenty-four hour day. Each season lasts about three months and there are four per year. Bunnies depend on seasonal weather to support the growth of vital foods and water resources. People who grow food understand this better than ones who frequent markets for their produce. In a colony, rabbits use three month intervals for many milestones including alpha challenges, birthing and rearing kits, and determining and executing roles. So, while bonding, keep in mind the three month timeframe instead of hours and weeks. 
          Bunnies live within the bounds of nature meaning they do not violate the rules of species-specific biology. Often the quintessence of bonding from the human's perspective is observation and reaction. However, the essence of bonding from the bunny's perspective is building trust, evaluating valuable resources, and accepting companionship. During my pre-bonding stage, bunnies learn the other bunny is not a threat- to themselves physically or to the availability of resources necessary for survival. This process requires time, calm confident energy, and the building of positive associations during sessions.