Any advice for bonding a dominant female pair with other pigs?

[sophieinaus]

Apologies if I do this wrong; it’s my first post here.

We’d like to increase the size of our guinea pig herd and introduced our two female pigs (sisters, just over a year old) to a neutered male at a guinea pig rescue centre last weekend. The intro went well until one of our girls got standoffish with male but didn’t actually try to bite him. The volunteer immediately pulled the male out and told us our girls were too dominant and were unlikely to bond with any other pigs. The volunteer probably knows best but I’ve heard bonding can take time and they were only in there together for a maximum of 5 minutes, and up until that point the introduction was going very well.

Anyway, we’re obviously quite disappointed and don’t want to give up quite yet. I’m now wondering if we should try again with a different neutered male (I honestly think if we’d given them a bit more time, they would have been fine with the other male), or whether it would be better to try with a female instead? Does anyone have any advice or experience with this? Thank you.

 

[Piggies&buns]

The guide below details what does and doesn’t work. It is of course your decision if you wish to try again, but it comes entirely down to the piggies and finding the right piggy to add to them, however, if your two do not want another piggy (neutered boar or sow) added to them, then you won’t change their minds.
It can become clear quite quickly into an introduction if things aren’t going to work.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

 

[Alisa3114]

We started off with a mother and daughter pair and wanted to give them some friends so they went back to the rescue were we adopted them from. They were there for about three days because Alisa had fear aggression and kept attacking every piggie that was put in with them. In the end she rejected nearly every available sow that was tried with her but as a last resort they were tried with 3 baby sows to see if she viewed them as less of a threat. she was a bit standoffish at first but she accepted them and the 3 came home with us. Suzy who bonded them is extremely experienced when it comes to bonding and knew what she was doing but we did think as the days went on that we might not ever be able to get Alisa to bond with any other piggies. I would say not to give up but leave it to the experts as they know what they are doing. It might take quite a few goes to find the perfect piggie friend for them.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi!

Sows, especially those with fear-aggression issues can be extremely difficult to bond. One of my own sows is literally scared stiff by babies and the only one (after 1 1/2 years of trying) was an older sow, the bottom piggy and last surviving member of a long term group who was not able to stand up for herself. Sadly she passed away from a sudden heart attack so I am back to square one with Beryn.

Please accept that once piggies have made up their mind that they don't suit, they are not changing their mind for the next several years. Don't get any more piggies on spec unless you want to build up a group that does not include your original pair. Please also be aware that merging adult sow pairs very often fails because neither leader will want to step down. Accepting neutered boars can also be very tricky. I have got several sow pairs who won't - and not for opportunity or lack of trying!

Like humans, guinea pigs are social animals, but they are every bit as complex in their own way as we are when it comes to interpersonal relationships. By far the best way forward is rescue dating so you come home with a new companion or two only if acceptance has happened.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Rescue Locator (like to recommended rescues in some other countried below UK map).

 

[sophieinaus]

The guide below details what does and doesn’t work. It is of course your decision if you wish to try again, but it comes entirely down to the piggies and finding the right piggy to add to them, however, if your two do not want another piggy (neutered boar or sow) added to them, then you won’t change their minds.
It can become clear quite quickly into an introduction if things aren’t going to work.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

Thanks so much, I’ll check the link out!

 

[sophieinaus]

We started off with a mother and daughter pair and wanted to give them some friends so they went back to the rescue were we adopted them from. They were there for about three days because Alisa had fear aggression and kept attacking every piggie that was put in with them. In the end she rejected nearly every available sow that was tried with her but as a last resort they were tried with 3 baby sows to see if she viewed them as less of a threat. she was a bit standoffish at first but she accepted them and the 3 came home with us. Suzy who bonded them is extremely experienced when it comes to bonding and knew what she was doing but we did think as the days went on that we might not ever be able to get Alisa to bond with any other piggies. I would say not to give up but leave it to the experts as they know what they are doing. It might take quite a few goes to find the perfect piggie friend for them.

Thanks, that’s really helpful to know! We’d like to try again but accept that it may not happen. Fortunately we love our current piggies to bits.

 

[sophieinaus]

Hi!

Sows, especially those with fear-aggression issues can be extremely difficult to bond. One of my own sows is literally scared stiff by babies and the only one (after 1 1/2 years of trying) was an older sow, the bottom piggy and last surviving member of a long term group who was not able to stand up for herself. Sadly she passed away from a sudden heart attack so I am back to square one with Beryn.

Please accept that once piggies have made up their mind that they don't suit, they are not changing their mind for the next several years. Don't get any more piggies on spec unless you want to build up a group that does not include your original pair. Please also be aware that merging adult sow pairs very often fails because neither leader will want to step down. Accepting neutered boars can also be very tricky. I have got several sow pairs who won't - and not for opportunity or lack of trying!

Like humans, guinea pigs are social animals, but they are every bit as complex in their own way as we are when it comes to interpersonal relationships. By far the best way forward is rescue dating so you come home with a new companion or two only if acceptance has happened.

Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
Rescue Locator (like to recommended rescues in some other countried below UK map).

Yeah, we realise it may not happen, and we’re very happy with our current pigs so it’s not the end of the world if they don’t bond with any others. It just seemed a bit defeatist to give up after one go. Thanks for your great advice!