George bit my shoulder last night ....

[Briony_S]

I was quite surprise and a little cross as you could imagine.....

I never shout at my piggies as they don't understand anyway and it would frighten them. Instead I tell them off in my nicest voice As you can imagine they don't know i'm telling them off for all they know I could be doing my usual ramblings about how pretty/hansome they are etc...

So I said to George in my normal "nice" tone. "it's not nice to bite mummy it's very naughty why are you so mean to nice mummy" and then he bit my knee (i had put him on my knee as didn't want him near my face in a biting mood).

Anyway the first time he did it I didn't want to put him back in his cage incase he was testing me. I didn't want him to think it was ok to bite as then he'd get what he wanted. So after he bit me again I thought maybe he needed a wee/poo. After I put him back he spent about 5 mins weeing and pooing so was obviously desparate and I felt so guilty!

The thing is he used to pull my clothes when he needed a wee which worked well, then he started to teeth chatter which also I found acceptable but I don't like the new nipping way!

Is there anyway to teach him to go back to one of the other two methods?

I don't fancy being nipped everytime he needs the toilet! I must add it does hurt quite a bit!

 

[Bren]

I'm a new piggy owner, so sorry I can't help.

Is biting a normal 'piggy' thing to do? as I thought they were very gentle pets...though I have only owned my 9month old piggies for 6 days
Was it a bad bite or just a little nip?

 

[Wiebke]

Some few guinea pigs can nip, or even bite regularly, to express their displeasure with something. Most will only ever bite as youngsters when they mistake your finger for juicy morcel, or when they are badly startled, which is rare.

I had a biter once; what I did is take her by the scruff and tug (but not too hard!), like a piggy mother would discipline her babies. That way I established my dominance and my displeasure at the same time. Minx got the message and the biting got less and generally less painful after that.

 

[Briony_S]

I wouldn't say it was a "bite" but it was a shock and hurt at the time. the pain went away quick but still not pleasent. I know he only wanted a wee but i would prefer if I could stop him doing it in the future.

I guess I just don't understand why he decided to do it all of a sudden when his other methods worked so well with me understand what he wants!