#41 - This Bunny Said 'Absolutely Not!' Artwork

The Bunny Coach Podcast with Fiona Murphy

Hints, Tips and Shortcuts for Helping your Bunnies Live their Best Life!
By Fiona Murphy, The Bunny Coach.

Fiona cares for hundreds of bunnies every year at her small animal boarding service in Dublin, Ireland and provides Ireland's only Professional Rabbit Bonding Service. She has been a bunny slave for 40 years and helps with rehoming rabbits and answering bunny dilemmas on the Facebook group she moderates on and from her lovely clients, in her spare time.

She is a Bunny Expert specialising in -

*Rabbit Bonding online and in person,
*Online Bunny Club (Fiona’s Happy Bunny Club)
*Bunny Care Classes and Consultations,
*Small Animal Boarding Dublin, Ireland

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The Bunny Coach Podcast with Fiona Murphy

#41 - This Bunny Said 'Absolutely Not!'

May 29, 2026 • Fiona Murphy, The Bunny Coach • Episode 41

0:00 | 6:07

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🐰 “Not All Mounting Is Dominance”
Why context matters in rabbit bonding behaviour

In this episode, I’m sharing a real bonding case from inside my One to One VIP support programme that perfectly demonstrates why rabbit behaviour can’t be interpreted in isolation.

A rabbit who appeared “dominant” at first glance was actually communicating something very different — and it’s the perfect example of why bonding behaviour can’t be reduced to simple labels.

We explore:

Why the same behaviour can mean very different things in different bonds
How emotional dynamics influence rabbit behaviour
Why context matters more than isolated incidents
The questions I ask when analysing bonding sessions
Why rabbit bonding is more nuanced than many people realise
How understanding the “why” behind behaviour changes the way you support a bond

We also talk about:
🐇 Rabbits begging for grooming
🐇 Why one bunny was basically saying “absolutely not” 😂

This episode is especially helpful if you’ve ever found yourself spiralling over a specific behaviour and wondering:

“Is this normal?”
“Is this dominance?”
“Should I be worried?”

Because bonding is not about ticking behaviours off a checklist.

It’s about understanding the relationship between the rabbits in front of you.

And often, the exact same behaviour can mean completely different things depending on the context.

Need Help Bonding Your Rabbits?

If you're struggling with rabbit bonding, or you're planning to and want to get it right from the beginning, I offer 2 FREE ways to get started:

• Answer a few questions online and receive personalised advice by email - Tell Me What Is Happening

• Book one of my Free Bonding Assessment Clinic Slots - LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE! - 15 Min Call For Bunny Bonding Clinic

Once I understand your situation, I can recommend the most suitable support option for you and your rabbits.

Because when bonding is done correctly, your rabbits can move from stress and conflict to a calm, happy partnership much faster.

NOT BONDING AT THE MINUTE? Take a look at www.fionashappybunnyclub.com for enrichment, behaviour and care support from an expert!

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