Bonding - we may have ruined it

Honey22

Honey22

New Born Pup
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We lost our Scooby 2 weeks ago and have gained another neutered boar - for our 3 year old Sow. We were advised to do 10mins introductions every night until he can go in with her (he has 2 weeks left after his op to make it to the recommended 6 weeks). We have been with them every second and not let him hump her at all or even get close.

Yesterday they were both clambering to see each other through the cages, today my sow just isn't bothered and is chattering her teeth through the bars at him.

I've just read your advice re. Introductions and that it can break a bond, do you think we have done that. So worried now. We have swapped their bedding around so that they get used to each others scent.
 
I’m afraid the advice you have been given is not good advice at all - they should not be having any physical contact until he is completely six weeks post neuter. They should be living as neighbours only right now and kept completely separate until he is six weeks post neuter.
You can then follow the bonding procedure in our guides ie an all in one bonding session on neutral territory and if all goes well leaving them together permanently from then on. It will then take a further two weeks of them living together full time for them to fully establish their relationship

Until you can do that in two weeks time, then you wont know how things are going to be between them.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
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Please don't put them together until it is time todo a full bonding (6 weeks post neuter).
Right now every short introduction is very stressful for them and they have to start from the beginning again every time they meet.
Try to keep them side by side and able to see, smell and hear each otters through the grids for now.
Hopefully they will settle down again and a full introduction in neutral territory will go well when your boy is ready.
 
Honey22 said:
We lost our Scooby 2 weeks ago and have gained another neutered boar - for our 3 year old Sow. We were advised to do 10mins introductions every night until he can go in with her (he has 2 weeks left after his op to make it to the recommended 6 weeks). We have been with them every second and not let him hump her at all or even get close.

Yesterday they were both clambering to see each other through the cages, today my sow just isn't bothered and is chattering her teeth through the bars at h

I've just read your advice re. Introductions and that it can break a bond, do you think we have done that. So worried now. We have swapped their bedding around so that they get used to each others scent.
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can’t really add much more to the excellent advice you’ve already been given, except the part you talk about not letting him hump her or get close... yes that’s good you’ve done that now, but once he’s 6 weeks post neutering, allowing them both to do that is all part of the process. You might even find the sow humps your boar 😄 it’s comical bonding piggies. I loved it with mine. It took a few hours we made a massive run in the kitchen with lots of hay and veggie treats and just let them get to know each other humping and chasing about. Good luck, I’m sure you won’t have broken the bond let us know how you get on in 2 weeks time 👍
 
G&C said:
can’t really add much more to the excellent advice you’ve already been given, except the part you talk about not letting him hump her or get close... yes that’s good you’ve done that now, but once he’s 6 weeks post neutering, allowing them both to do that is all part of the process. You might even find the sow humps your boar 😄 it’s comical bonding piggies. I loved it with mine. It took a few hours we made a massive run in the kitchen with lots of hay and veggie treats and just let them get to know each other humping and chasing about. Good luck, I’m sure you won’t have broken the bond let us know how you get on in 2 weeks time 👍
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Thank you. They have been fine today talking to each other between the cages. Just got the problem of the boar chewing the bars to get to her, and ideas how to stop him, I definitely want him to be able to see her. Thanks xb
 
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You could cover the divider with a piece of cardboard or correx and remove after a few days perhaps.
 
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