behaviour questionnaire

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gracie

gracie

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i got the idea from merey61's questionnaire about bedding. i'm interested to see how pig's behaviour with their owners can vary so i thought i'd put this up!

1. How old are your guinea pigs?

2. How often do you handle them?

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?


I'll fill this out myself when i get home from work!
 
1. From 8 months up to nearly 4 years old.

2. Every day, not always for a long cuddle though. They get picked up and talked to, sometimes a proper long cuddle. Sometimes just stroked while they wander around me when I sit on the floor. I do try for daily contact, it helps to keep them confident in me.

3. Very happy. Takes a few cuddles to get them initially content with full on cuddling, maybe four to six, and it helps if you cuddle them with an older piggie in the pocket too to begin with. Actually, they really like crowded cuddles! A whole lapfull of piggies is great fun, if a bit argumentative sometimes!

4. They are skittish if unhappy, little babies can freeze motionless, they are quiet if unhappy. Calm, noisy and relaxed if happy while cuddling. They normally go 'trucking' round the conservatory, exploring and having fun, talking to each other and popcorning occasionally. This behaviour alters dramatically if they are unhappy in themselves.

5. I've only had sows.

6. Depends. They are pretty brave and will come out to me if hungry - they run free in a conservatory. If full of grass they move very slowly! If I loom over them, or they are startled, then they run for cover. My first piggies were very timid, as the years have gone past they have become braver. I still often have to back them into a corner to pick them up but there is very little resistance. Not really running away any more. Carmina will just stand still in the open now while I pick her up - amazing - you can see her fighting the instinct to run away.

7. I can pass them to anyone for cuddles in a cuddle pocket, anyone! I do catch them though, they do run from other people. They will love anyone once they feel safe in a pocket! They will also take food from other people but in a more timid manner, cautiously. They learn who has regular food for them and do demand from them though - even if timid about approaching.

8. Boredom doesn't seem to happen in cuddles. Carmina and Carmeline go to sleep, Columbine gets more and more excited and eventually wets herself from sheer excitement while being cuddled and Carmilla will take as much cuddling as you can give her and will gradually get noisier and noisier. Cuddles are limited by my choice or by their bladder control really.

This was fun, I look forward to other people's answers.

Sarah
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?
Some ages are unknown, as seven out of my eight pigs are rescues with little information. The ages I am most certain of, are the youngest being around 7 months, and the oldest (that I know of) will be 4 years next week!

2. How often do you handle them?
I aim for daily contact, rather than full handling of each pig every day. I do work on a rota of handling at least 2-3 pigs a day - this being proper quality time, long cuddles. They get weighed on a Monday and health checked on a Saturday, so a good five minutes of handling with each pig there! I prefer to lay on the floor and let them pigs come up to me - some will jump onto me, some will come and investigate my hands and take food from me.

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?
Some are still unsure of handling. One is my 7 month old, one is a pig with a skin condition. The others don't like being picked up, but all love being cuddled.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?
They nip me! Once they have had enough, they'll put at my clothes or else wriggle and nip my skin.

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?
Individual personalities and all the usual....but overall, my girls love being cuddled properly, while one of my boys absolutely adores cuddles, and the other boy would much rather be massaged and fussed up without being picked up.

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?
Some do, some don't. I have a hearing-impaired girl who is very flighty, understandably. I can walk around all of them and step over them when they are out on the floor though, all of them tend to stay put now despite someone five foot taller than them pottering about!

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?
They don't really meet strangers, they live in my bedroom. They are used to me more than anyone else, I am the only person they see day in day out and they know I am the hand that feeds and cleans them etc. They're all a bit on edge if my parents go to see them, so I guess if someone they really don't know (i.e. a stranger...) met them, they would be a bit spooked.

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?
Only a few minutes...they prefer each others company to my affection!
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?

From 4 months up to 5 years

2. How often do you handle them?

Daily

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

Various, some were ok at being handled I still have some that don't like it.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

They wriggle a lot.

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

I don't think it comes down to the sex of the animal. They are all different.

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?

Again it varies 5 out of 16 run off. I haven't included my 3 older sows as they have only just come to live here so they are skittish.

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

They all run away.

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?

Again varies, Eccles will sit for hours but Sunshine wants to get back to his business. :)
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?
Boris-8 months,Smokey&Bandit-3 months & Basil-6-8 weeks

2. How often do you handle them?
two times daily or three if i have time

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

Smokey,Bandit,Boris love it Basil still isn't 100% sure

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

when they love it they snuggle into my neck,when they dont they try to run

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

not sure I'm a Boar lover, by chance i haven't had a sow yet

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?
Sometimes

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

they hide

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?
I haven't found they get bored with any amount of time
 
Last edited:
1. How old are your guinea pigs?

I am going to answer this on behalf my my pigs and my dads too so..

The oldest it nearly 5

2. How often do you handle them?

Mine get handled every day and my dad has eleven so they get handled at least once a week each

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

Mine love being handled, my dads are happy to be picked up weekly, some are rescues which took longer to get used to it than others

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

Two of my dads (Hairy and Mary who are rescued sisters) hate being handled and are very scrabbly so he tend to hold them when he's wearing long sleeves otherwise they scratch his arms.

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

We only have sows, we did have a boar who died recently and he was just as happy to be held as the sows are

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?

No, they accociate us with food so come out to say hello when we approach them

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

It depends on the age of the strangers! They love my elderly neighbours (because they bring them treats) but are not so fond of my young neice and nephews

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?

It really depends on the pig. dandilion (my avatar) would be happy to be carried around all day
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?

1 year 2 months, and 9 months

2. How often do you handle them?

in the morning for 30 mins, and they come out of an evening for 3 plus hours. If soeone home in the day, they get handled twice in day for 30 mins or so

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

They have always loved it, they run up to me when i walk past the run so they can get their dosage!

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

if unhappy they get agigated, snappy and fidgety, generally love being held, so lay out and sleep, relax, etc the usual signs!

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

only have boars. previous pigs i have had in my life, i find boars prefer it more

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?

No never, unless there is a loud sound which scares them!

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

no reaction really, a little weary of people they dont know, they go quiet or dont move much, but thats it really.

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?

for a while, until they fidget which usually means they need a wee or want to chill out and sleep.
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs? All under 1year

2. How often do you handle them? every other day on average

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled? yes they are fine..

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled? if they start to wriggle

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled? my boars are happier

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house? The boars dont and nessa from the girls doesnt either, but Pepper & Peanut mostly dart away

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers? They are fine

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored? I would say 10mins tops
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs? 4 years 11 months and ca. 2 1/2 years
2. How often do you handle them? About once a day.
3.Are they happy with this? How long did it take you?
Dizzy hasn't been handled much by her previous owner for the first three years of her life, but she loves a short groom. Llewleyn was a very skittish rescue and went "dead" for weeks when being handled, before daring to go wiggly. Still work in progress. He likes going under my pullover and have a nap there.
4. How can you tell? They lie down when they're relaxed and go wiggly when they've had enough.
5. Sows or boys easier? Depends on the character and life story.
6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you? Dizzy is coming up to me, and Llewelyn is just getting over his flight reflex (after 18 months - I'm so tickled!).
7. How do they react with strangers? Dizzy doesn't like being held, but will pop up to have a look. Llewelyn goes "dead" or invisible at first, but will come out eventually.
8. How long can you handle them?
Dizzy ca. 5 mins, Llewelyn increasingly longer, ca. 10-15 mins at the moment.
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs? Range from 7 weeks to 18 months

2. How often do you handle them? Everyday

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled? Yes, all apart from one enjoy being handled. They have been fine being handled from the beginning.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled? They fidget and wriggle.

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled? I find my boars happier

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house? No never

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers? They are fine

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored? Around 15-20 mins
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs? One is a few months old and the other is a couple of years old, though as they were both rescues it's harder to tell age with the older one

2. How often do you handle them? Daily

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled? They love being cuddled, or sitting next to me on the couch being stroked. Pedro has taken Alf's lead and has always been fine (stretches out completely flat and purrs away!) but initially Alf found it quite distressing. He improved after a week or two though and is now an extremely confident piggy who loves a good cuddle.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled? Alf fidgets and Pedro whines or nips - though they're quite happy to sit for ages unless they need a wee, or it's playtime!

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled? Have 2 boars now but have had sows in the past. I have found that my boars tend to sit still for longer, but all have been happy with handling.

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house? No, often they will come over to investigate.

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers? It depends on the person. They hate my nephew but they are fine with those who speak gently and calmly to them. They will also take food from anyone! They are generally trusting piggies though seem a little more cautious than when they're with me.

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored? Depends on the time of day. Sometimes they can relax for ages but late evening they like to have a run about, so only for about 15 mins then!
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?
I do not know, I would guess younger than 6 months

2. How often do you handle them?
Every day

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?
She's fine once you pick her up. Took about a week to get her used to it.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?
When she is happy she relaxes and sniffs the air. When she is unhappy she starts squirming and looking for a place to burrow.

5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?
Never held a boar.

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?
Yep

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?
She doesn't act much different except when I talk she starts looking for me.

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?
She'll happily sit in my lap for 30 min.
 
1. How old are your guinea pigs?

I have 2 boys both About 5/6 months old

2. How often do you handle them?

At least once a day each

3. Are they happy with this? How long did it take them to get used to being handled?

George is happy although has his moments, he got used to it within one month

Tiger hates it now I have had him since january but he has had problems with george biting him and getting an abess and having me bathe him and syringe antibiotics into him so now he no longer trusts me.

4. How can you tell that they're happy/unhappy with being handled?

George makes a happy noise and likes to live up his head and sniff the air and have a look about, they also sometimes lays his bed on my bust and snuggles down for a while.

Tiger squeels the same noise he used to make when tiger rumbled at him so I know it is his scared noise. I sometimes feed him lettuce on my knee whilst stroking him which results in him usually rumbling with a mouthfull or still shreaking with his mouthful. (he never turns down the lettuce though)


5. Do you find that boars or sows are happier to be handled?

I have never had sows so cannot comment

6. Do your guinea pigs run away from you if you approach them in their house?

Depends on what I have with me :)) If I have veggies they come running up to me, tiger usually pushes my hand out of the way when I am trying to put veggies in his dish if I am in his way.

If there are no veggies on the scene tiger runs into his house every time and whilst george can differ depending on his mood sometimes he stays there and lets me talk to him.

7. How do your guinea pigs react to the affection of strangers?

Tiger doesn't really have much experience with strangers other than the vet but george was very effectionate to my friend after I had him for about a month my friend came over and had a cuddle and he was kissing her hands

8. How long can you handle your guinea pig for before it becomes obvious he's getting bored?

Tiger hates it imediately but george can sit there about half an hour if I let him. I usually only have him out for 10/15 mins though as I feel guilty that he might need a wee

I'll fill this out myself when i get home from work!
 
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