Marley pig behaving strangely

[catherine]

Marley pig loves nothing better to be stroked in his pen, all I have to do is put my hand in and he runs over and sits there for me to stroke him.

I rarely ever pick any of my piggies up, as with my bunnies, as It's not natural for them as prey animals. Marley I have to pick up more often as he is a Texel so needs grooming every week (I keep his coat short).However, when I went to pick Marley up today he ran and started tooth chattering at me. I didn't chase him but calmly ushered him into a corner and picked him up from there, and once he was out he was absolutely fine.

Is this because I don't pick him up enough so he has become scared of being lifted? As I say, he's definitely not scared of me at all and will allow regular strokes, it's as soon as I try to turn that stroke into cupping my hands under his belly and bum that he realises and tries to bolt + chatters.

If I need to, I will pick him up more often but I have gained so much of his trust and am able to sit and stroke him - I'm assuming a lot of that trust has arisen from the fact I don't always pick him up so he's not scared of that. If I do get him out he will be wary of my for a day then allow strokes again.

What should I do? I really only want the best for him and what will stress him out less.

 

[Connie]

I always find the least stressfull way to pick up a piggie is to usher them into a cosey sack and scoop them up in that.

 

[Wiebke]

He was probably just telling you that he doesn't like to be picked up. If you can create some sort of conveyance you can gently shoo him into (turn it into a ritual with a specific call, a little veg treat on right at the back and lots of praise and encouragement), then it will be a lot less stressful for him once he has twigged what you want off him.

You can use cosy bags, fabric or cardboard tunnels, padded cardboard or shoe boxes with a lid and a "door", an upturned pigloo etc. for the pick up shuttle. Ideally, you place it in a corner. Give him time to become relaxed with the conveyance (if possible, even have a nap in it) before you use it for picking him up.

 

[twiams]

I think it's because you don't pick him up very often, my pigs used to get a little annoyed with me when i picked them up but now they're much used to it !
Marmite even walks to the other side of the cage when i open the cage so i can pick him up !

 

[catherine]

Fair enough, I'll buy a cosy and do that from now on

The only thing I wonder is, how do you remove pig from said cosy sack if they don't want to?! rolleyes

 

[Connie]

Haha, i have only once has this problem when spice saw the nail clippers! generally, its fairly easy, you take hold of the piggy with one hand and guide them out.

However, if you were to use one of wiebkes suggestions you might not have this problem!

 

[catherine]

Only thing is, I'm convinced that he will work out what it's for and refuse to step foot it in again after I've used it to pick him up, he's clever than I give him credit for

Thank-you for your suggestions, when I get my new cage liners ordered I will order a cosy cup at the same time (the only reason I don't have one is because I can never find one bit enough for three!)

 

[Connie]

I have to say, my boys trundle into their cat carrierd after run time very calmly, if i just leave it there (but they do hate run time... so that might have alot to do with it.