Handling issues

Paulalc80

Paulalc80

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi again, I hope I am posting in the right place.

We adopted our two beautiful girls 2 and a half weeks ago. They are aged 2 and have been very well looked after.

I am really worried that we can't handle them. We transport them into their run using a tunnel as per the video clip on the forum and they are just getting to the point where they will dash on to my knee, take some food then dash off, occasionally letting me stroke them. I am worried that they used to be handled by their previous owner and in the rescue and now, because we have let them gently settle in they will not go back to being handled.

I understand that some piggies will not be handled but I am worried we can't groom them, clip their nails or check them over because they simply won't be picked up or stay on our knee.

I would really appreciate any advice.
 
Hey don't worry❤ my piggies didn't even let me come near them for many weeks I guess 5-6 weeks but after that they gradually became used to to my presence and now they even cuddle me everyday lol it's just about patience and time all piggies are different and everyone will take their own time to adjust to their new surroundings and human slave ❤ u are doing good just keep doing what u r doing and they ll eventually be your best friends❤❤
 
Ritika said:
Hey don't worry❤ my piggies didn't even let me come near them for many weeks I guess 5-6 weeks but after that they gradually became used to to my presence and now they even cuddle me everyday lol it's just about patience and time all piggies are different and everyone will take their own time to adjust to their new surroundings and human slave ❤ u are doing good just keep doing what u r doing and they ll eventually be your best friends❤❤
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Thank you, I hope so. I will keep on persevering. It is good to hear it isn't just our house where it has taken a while to settle x
 
Paulalc80 said:
Thank you, I hope so. I will keep on persevering. It is good to hear it isn't just our house where it has taken a while to settle x
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I would use a towel. My vet showed me a very gentle way of handling them with a towel.
I use a soft towel or fleece to hold them while grooming them, like for nail cuts and hair cuts.
 
Piggies are prey animal and that prey instinct is very strong when they’re being picked up, even if they enjoy lap time. Try hand feeding in the cage as your first step. Then you can try stroking them. I’ve had my girls for a year but one in particular is still quite skittish. What I do is approach them from their field of vision. So I’ll slowly approach with my hand from the side then stroke. It works with the other girl most times.
Have a read of the link below, it will help you.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
Paulalc80 said:
Hi again, I hope I am posting in the right place.

We adopted our two beautiful girls 2 and a half weeks ago. They are aged 2 and have been very well looked after.

I am really worried that we can't handle them. We transport them into their run using a tunnel as per the video clip on the forum and they are just getting to the point where they will dash on to my knee, take some food then dash off, occasionally letting me stroke them. I am worried that they used to be handled by their previous owner and in the rescue and now, because we have let them gently settle in they will not go back to being handled.

I understand that some piggies will not be handled but I am worried we can't groom them, clip their nails or check them over because they simply won't be picked up or stay on our knee.

I would really appreciate any advice.
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Hi!

Try our piggy whispering tips and take it easy. I always give mine a good month at the start to settle in. the move to a new home can sometimes bring back bad memories, so I concentrate on building up a hand-off relationship first - apart from trying to get them to pick up veg from my hands and to stop seeing me as potential predator.
Try to invite them into your group and tell them that they are welcome and loved. That often works for me to help settling new piggies sooner.
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
Thank you, I will carry on with the softly softly approach.
 
Patience is the key.
Talk to them all the time so they become familiar with your voice and as they learn that you are the bringer of food they will learn to trust you.
Mine all hate being picked up even although the 3 girls are no longer nervous and enjoy being stroked in the cage.
 
Try using a lap pad that has the flap that they can hide under they might feel more settled being able to hide and you can still smooth them and feed them.
 
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