Handling/behaviour advice for 1st time owner

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Gemma McD

Gemma McD

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Hi all

As I'm new to pig ownership, I really would appreciate some advice please. My two girls Ginny and Saffy haven't had much handling before coming to me, so I am expecting some issues :D

Both girls are problematic to catch, although Ginny the mother who is less nervy is not too bad. Saffy is a nightmare! I always offer lettuce and sometimes I can gently stroke her with one hand and when she accepts that I bring the other hand in, then gently pick her up. Other times, the minute I go to stroke her she drops the lettuce and runs :( My concern is they are in a 2 tier rabbit hutch, but only in the top tier as catching them if they are downstairs will be much worse due to a small doorway and it being on the ground. In the top tier I just lift the roof up, much easier. But I would like to give them the extra room eventually without finding I can't manage to catch them anymore.

I am never sure if they like me stroking them. Both girls make drrrr noise if I stroke over their bottoms, so I don't touch them there now as am sure they are showing displeasure. I've heard Saffy make the same noise when spooked by my mobile ringing :D Ginny usually seems content to just sit on my lap although Saffy usually sits on my shoulder and I'm never sure if she's happy. Last night she was on my lap and was getting a bit feisty, swinging her head at my hands when I stroked her and again when I tried to pick her up to put her back in the hutch. It seemed an attempt to bite me, didn't leave my hands there long enough to check! I always give treats at lap time in the hopes they will relax.

Both girls make noises when being stroked, and I don't know if they are enjoying it or not. Saffy is more vocal about it which makes me think she's not.

They don't squeak when they see me, just run and hide, so really not sure what their happy noise is!

A lot of questions, but would love some advice!

Thanks
Gemma, Ginny and Saffy
 
Hi,

First of all dont worry. It takes time for you to trust them not to bite you and for them to trust you. I felt the same when I first got guinea pigs too.

Best not to stroke them down their back IMO - chin tickles and maybe around the head are fine.....go down the back and they're not so keen.

As for catching them there are a few threads on the forum about catching piggies.... do a forum search ... and I'm sure you will find them :))

Tubes, beds and things can take the stress out of catching

Main thing is patience.... take your time.... and dont worry ....

xx
 
bribing piggys with veg is a sure fire way to make them befriend you :) the way to their heart is definately through their fat little stomaches ;) i foster guinea pigs for rescue camp nibble, and some of the piggys are very timid. just takes lots of patience, i got a lap pad, and just sit them on my knee, not actually stroking them, just sitting quietly and bribing them to be calm with green beans :) then stroking them softly an gently for a good hour or so a day. good luck x
 
This is perfectly normal behaviour. They are not used to being held and see it as a threat. This does not mean they will never get used to it. How about just letting them get used to being on your lap and holding them? Many guinea pigs like to be held against your chest. You could just hold them there and talk to them. It took my Amelia Jane two years before she would enjoy being held. I never gave up and held her everyday. If they are indoors they will get more used to you. Would that be an option?
 
piggyfan said:
This is perfectly normal behaviour. They are not used to being held and see it as a threat. This does not mean they will never get used to it. How about just letting them get used to being on your lap and holding them? Many guinea pigs like to be held against your chest. You could just hold them there and talk to them. It took my Amelia Jane two years before she would enjoy being held. I never gave up and held her everyday. If they are indoors they will get more used to you. Would that be an option?
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Can't really keep them indoors, my cat might bother them. I've taken on board all the advice and had a good day with them today. This morning I had them loose in the hall and sat with them. I've stopped stroking unless it's under the chin and I'm proud to report am reclined on the sofa with Saffy stretched out on my chest! Have now let the girls have access to their run, put toys in there but they so far prefer the upstairs! Keep going back up the ramp. After today, I'm confident I will get their with the girls. Thank you all so much for the advice, it's made a difference already :))
 
piggyfan said:
That is wonderful news. I am so pleased. :)
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I really feel I'm winning them round, especially Saffy the nervy one who is my favourite! She's my avatar :)
Had them loose in the hall again and they scurried around squeaking while I just lay on the floor. They kept sniffing me and climbing over me, it was lovely. Made such progress with them and am sure it will continue as I'm trying to set aside playtime with them everyday:))
 
Just continue - knowing that all their affection is freely given! :))
 
Hi

I had exactly the same issues with my guinea pigs when they were small and to be honest they can still be temperamental! they are also in a two tier hutch.

To start with if I wanted to get them out I used to gently get them to go downstairs and then pull up the ramp. That way I didn't have to play the game of cat and mouse up and down the tiers which is quite stressful for them.

They used to hate being picked up and would do anything to get away from me so I used to put in a cosy cavy igloo or small box and pick the whole thing out once they had hidden in there, much less stressful for both of us. They would sit on my lap and eat some veggies but I would only stroke them just a couple of times. If they "Grrr'd" at me I would put them back and leave them alone.

It takes a while for them to get used to you. My silly boys will still run away if I go to pick them up but as soon as I put my hand on them they sit still as if to say "oh go on then"!

Be patient and take it slowly and they will be fine :)
 
The 'rrrrr' noise - purring - is a happy noise, they enjoy it when you rub their lower backs :)) I had one who made that noise whenever we turned off the light-switch! it was almost a 'good night!' lol :)) I have a couple of girls inside who do it when you rattle a bunch of keys, but they do it at all sorts of things, even the Motorola phone adverts! :))

If they didn't like it they would kick or chatter their teeth. But the purring is very similar to a boy rumbling noise.
 
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I keep an igloo in their hutch for them to use as a bad and whenever I go over to their hutch I find Saffy is already in there and Ginny will often be outside and sometimes legs it in when I lift the top of the hutch up! If she doesn't I pick her up and then bring Saffy inside in her igloo, or I bring them both inside in it if Ginny has scurried in. They come in for a play on the floor which they seem to enjoy, exploring me and the hall, and I often bring Saffy in on her own for a snuggle in the evening. Saffy is better on her own, she seems to relax on me more. If my husband is home (he works til late) he has Ginny out as well and Saffy won't settle. Last night they were wheeking to each other, got quite high pitched! So I was given Ginny as well and they squabbled on my shoulder, Saffy always sits up there or on my chest and I don't think she liked Ginny trying to push her out of the way, lol! Made me wonder if it was jealously as I always have Saffy so maybe she thinks I'm hers!?
 
Thank you everyone the advice has helped

Big thank you to everyone who gave me advice on this thread, it's really helped me and I now have piggies who are much easier to handle!

Ginny now sits still and let's me pick her up every time. My lovely but nervy little Saffy has also become much easier and I can pick her up 90% of the time now :)) She's also become very sweet when we have snuggles and tonight she even licked me a few times x)
 
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