can I still bond with my boars?

[guineaboye]

I have had two boars, Wilbur and Wally, for about three years. Wally has always been the timid one, and he will sit still and quietly in my lap until he needs to pee. Wilbur on the other hand, is much more squirmy and vocal. He always struggles when I try to pick him up and watch TV with him, no matter how much I try to comfort him. They both run away into their little houses when I come to feed them, though Wilbur will often come up and steal a carrot or piece of hay as I place them into their cage. I didn't handle or play with them too much in the two years I first had them, and I didn't realize that they needed floor time either. I now realize that this was probably a really big mistake. I love my piggies to death and I want the best for them. Is there any way I can bond with them still? If I can't, how can I make them as comfortable as possible when I need to clip their nails and give them a check up? I also want to mention that I've never seen them popcorn (they do love racing around their cage though.)

 

[Zorro1]

It's never too late to bond with your piggies. I'm sure they are spoiled and it's great to hear that your are already trying your best to give them the best life.

Not all piggies like being held and no piggies like their nails trimmed. But both are a necessity for their regular maintenance. You can bond with them by regularly spending time around the cage or spending floor time with them while hand feeding them treats. The best way to bond with your piggies is by hand feeding.

 

[Sweet Potato]

It's never too late. Being picked up is scary especially if you're a small fluffy creature that would be predated on by big birds of prey in the wild. Anything or anyone swooping down towards you probably wants to eat you. I suggest starting with hand feeding find a snack they like wether that's pea Flakes, pellets of some other sort of forrage. Every time you walk past the cage give them one each you may have to start by holding it in the cage and dropping it when they start to show an interest to build up their confidence. Once they're hand feeding regularly you can start giving them treats with one hand while your other hand is on the cage floor nexto them to get them used to the idea that hands are ok. Then encourage them to step one paw onto the hand to receive a treat and so on one step at a time until they're ready to be picked up. There's many different ways to approach socialising your animals but this is my favourite break it down into as many steps as possible and let them take their time.