Unlocking the Bonding Mystery: Part IV

    Diving into the deep end of the bonding pool is both terrifying and exciting. Fear of the unknown looms. Part of the reason people become anxious about it is uncertainty of what will happen. Consider the three most common scenarios: first, an instant positive reaction where two bunnies are content to become friends; second, after a few nudges in the right direction, bunnies join forces; and, third, serious fighting ensues upon meeting. How can scenario number three be avoided? Part of pre-bonding using my approach allows bunnies to use stealth sensory data collection using their top three senses :auditory, olfactory, and visual. Akin to rooming with a college dormmate, schedules, eating and sleeping habits, and other daily lifestyle preferences are encoded into each others' brains. To avoid conflict and maximize peaceful cohabitation, there are many compromises by both parties. The one making the most compromises takes a lower ranking position in the friendship whereas the leader becomes dominant, conceding in fewer ways. To make the situation work, both parties must feel a sense of fairness and receive mutual benefit. Bunnies must be encouraged to accept compromises without hostility. During pre-bonding where they can hear, smell, and see each other daily, they negotiate terms for their impending partnership. Bunnies constantly tell one another information by releasing scent markers, positioning their bodies, and uttering subtle sounds. Humans are only aware of a portion of those language signals. As we rely on sight most of all, learning to read the visual cues which indicate successful acceptances is key to unlocking the bonding mystery.