Distressed Sounds

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Pandapudge

Pandapudge

Junior Guinea Pig
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My piggies have been with me for nearly three weeks now and instead of getting better they seem to be getting worse in terms of being timid and shy. I know they come out of their hidey when I'm not at home because there are tell-tale poops and their food has been eaten. However, despite making myself known quietly, speaking softly and encouragingly when I approach their home...I get frozen stares and a low, short purring sound. Is this normal? I worry because it just sounds distressed. I don't want to traumatize my piggies at all! I want them to feel happy and safe. Am I just being impatient? Should I stay the course? I try to hold them or spend laptime with them for 15 minutes a day so they get used to handling, and they seem okay with that after they have been taken out. (the taking out part isn't so great.)

I guess, long story short....:help:
 
Pandapudge said:
My piggies have been with me for nearly three weeks now and instead of getting better they seem to be getting worse in terms of being timid and shy. I know they come out of their hidey when I'm not at home because there are tell-tale poops and their food has been eaten. However, despite making myself known quietly, speaking softly and encouragingly when I approach their home...I get frozen stares and a low, short purring sound. Is this normal? I worry because it just sounds distressed. I don't want to traumatize my piggies at all! I want them to feel happy and safe. Am I just being impatient? Should I stay the course? I try to hold them or spend laptime with them for 15 minutes a day so they get used to handling, and they seem okay with that after they have been taken out. (the taking out part isn't so great.)

I guess, long story short....:help:
Click to expand...

Don't get upset - you are actually making progress as your two have relaxed enough to start speaking to you. That is very much a step in the right direction! It is always somewhat upsetting for new owners when things seem to go from bad to worse because they don't get a positive message when their new piggy start communicating. I call this the "Why does my guinea pig suddenly hate?" phase. But it is a first seedling of trust cautiously sticking its head out of the soil!

Try to implement some of the "getting to know" tips in this thread here:
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
If you want to pick up your piggies for a session on your lap underneath a blanket:
How To Pick Up Your Guinea Pig
 
Okay, excellent. Thank you so much! I had read a few of the posts about the piggy trust increasing but was still worried because they just sounded so distressed. This makes me feel a lot better and hopeful it will only improve the longer my piggies and I are together. Thank you!
 
Keep at it, you are getting there, we all feel like this i promise. I set a video camera up to see if our first piggies ever came out :))

Have a look at this video below, it will help with the collecting which will take the stress out of it for you and them

 
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