How to Tam? Taming problems .

[almond&filbert]

I think you've heard it before, but my piggies are driving me crazy! they are the most nervous little things ever. i have had the boys for about a month and a half and ive seen some improvement. I'm at the stage in taming where they take food from my hand and they will allow me to gently pet them as they eat. i take them out, and we go outside. they do the cuttest little thing, when we are outside and they get frightened, i will be laying on the grass with them and they will hop on top of me and stay there begging for food.

you would think all is well, but when i take them out of their cage, on my lap, they are completely terrified and they zone out, like they do when they are scared. And also, when i go near the cage, they will sometimes hide away. i understand that they are PREY animals and they hide because it is their nature, but what are some methods i can try to help my guinea pigs trust me more. i have been reading the net 24/7. *sigh*

 

[katiepops]

It sounds like you're making brilliant progress with them if they're happy to take food off you and be petted so don't worry, it just takes a little more time to get to the next stage. Have you tried giving them food when they are on your lap so they learn to associate lap time with treats? It might help them to relax, it will probably take a few times before they're comfortable to eat but they won't be able to resist for long especially if you pick their favourite food. Good luck.

 

[twiams]

It sounds like your doing quite well, although i think you need to relax a little more, the worst thing that can happen is you push it too far, the piggies will come round in they're own time but if your start trying to force them into taming you may just push them back with there progress, but keep up the good work and relax ! (:

 

[almond&filbert]

Thanks guys! taming is just so hard sometimes. :{

 

[CodeWriter]

You're doing alot better than me, Marmite wont even come near me, let alone take food from my hand. Any time she's on my lap she just sits there terrified staring at the cage. Ive had her around 4 months now, got her alongside another (Piglet). Piglet is happy to take food from hand and just getting used to me petting her.

Give it time and you'll get there. You're doing alot better than me anyhow.

 

[almond&filbert]

You're doing alot better than me, Marmite wont even come near me, let alone take food from my hand. Any time she's on my lap she just sits there terrified staring at the cage. Ive had her around 4 months now, got her alongside another (Piglet). Piglet is happy to take food from hand and just getting used to me petting her.

Give it time and you'll get there. You're doing alot better than me anyhow.

aww, I'm sure they'll come around. one of my pigs is kind of like Marmite, he just zones out completely when his on my lap, and gets kinda nervous when take food from me. i'm sue you'll pigs will come around soon too! good luck

 

[Wiebke]

It sounds like they are coming along very nicely. Please be aware that guinea pigs are generally frightened of wide open spaces, as they are most exposed to predators. If you can, always provide some kind of shelter (A towel over the top will already do - that gives them a safe base to explore from.)