Naughty Nipping Keith

Two_Wheeks

Two_Wheeks

Forum Donator 2023/24
Joined
Feb 1, 2020
Messages
475
Reaction score
1,142
Points
605
Location
South Oxfordshire
Hello!

We are all adjusting to having a new baby in the house. He is adorable and such a character! However, he has taken to nipping when being held. I have read the guide on "Biting", very informative (as they all are!). I just wanted to ask some additional advice; When he nips, we don't instantly put him back, is that Ok? We keep hold of him for 30-ish seconds after, then place him back. Also, if one of us has him and the other Gibson, he is fine. I think it is more an anxiety response, so when we do hold him we don't move away from the run, so he can still see and hear his new best friend.

He is a very happy, talkative piggy, and he adores Gibson, which is all very positive. Gibson will occasionally nip, but only if he's warning you of an imminent wee (and it's your own fault if you don't heed this warning!). We don't want Fizzy Keith to think by nipping he'll get his own way! We will also start the ear fondling/chin raising followed by the eye nuzzles to show affection, and see how that goes!

Compulsory photos below..!

K7.webpK8.webpK10.webp
 
Beautiful boys. Thank you for the photos!
Glad you have managed to read the guides. He is obviously not happy about the situation when being held, so I wouldn't force the issue (even for 30 seconds). Some of my pigs like being held and others don't (they would rather come to me). I don't think he will quite understand you trying to teach him not to get his own way, and the situation could become more stressful for him. As he settles and gets more confident, the issue might settle anyway. One of our nippy, very opinionated boars has very much settled with age (though he will never be the cuddly type, and that is perfectly fine)

When you need to handle him for health checks, could you use a small box or hidey to pick him up and wrap him in a towel to minimise stress and harm to yourself?
 
Thanks @Bradshaw Piggies for the advice. We won't push it then, and will let him come to us (which he does, when we already have Gibson!). I was thinking of getting a cuddle sack so will use that for health checks - though if he's anything like Higgins was, he'll soon get wise!

Very happy to let him be the piggy he wants to be!
 
I put a carrier into the cage and they both walk into it - took a while to get to that point but I think because their carrier is primarily used for playpen time, they are happy to go into it as they know it’s play time! I then pick them up from the carrier. Neither of mine like being cuddled though. I only do so for health checks. Popcorn tolerates it better but struggles to get away so I put him down as soon as he starts. Dexter is not afraid to tell me he doesn’t like it. He will tolerate for a short while (I’m talking 1-3 minutes) before he wants to get down. Dex however, nips when he has had enough. I put him down as soon as he does it, as it is his way of telling me he doesn’t like it.
If does sound as if Keith is happier when Gibson is there and particularly as they have only just been bonded,
I would make sure to get them both out together
 
I agree. I would put him down soon as he nips because it’s likely he’s telling you he doesn’t want to be held. Perhaps sit in the run and let him come to you. How long has he been with you now?
 
Thanks @Piggies&buns and @Siikibam
He's not a nervous pig by any stretch, he just prefers to be where Gibson is. He is only a baby and he's only been with us 4 days, so I know I need to be more patient! We will take it as slow as he likes. Our buy Higgins hated being handled so we're quite used to that!
 
Gibson said:
Hello!

We are all adjusting to having a new baby in the house. He is adorable and such a character! However, he has taken to nipping when being held. I have read the guide on "Biting", very informative (as they all are!). I just wanted to ask some additional advice; When he nips, we don't instantly put him back, is that Ok? We keep hold of him for 30-ish seconds after, then place him back. Also, if one of us has him and the other Gibson, he is fine. I think it is more an anxiety response, so when we do hold him we don't move away from the run, so he can still see and hear his new best friend.

He is a very happy, talkative piggy, and he adores Gibson, which is all very positive. Gibson will occasionally nip, but only if he's warning you of an imminent wee (and it's your own fault if you don't heed this warning!). We don't want Fizzy Keith to think by nipping he'll get his own way! We will also start the ear fondling/chin raising followed by the eye nuzzles to show affection, and see how that goes!

Compulsory photos below..!

View attachment 165101View attachment 165102View attachment 165104
Click to expand...

You may also find this guide here very helpful; just gently assert your authority (and love) so he respects you but knows he is cherished.
it is all part of the process to teach him what is acceptable behaviour and what not - but you as the 'herd leader' determine the rules. youngsters are treated the same by their elders so you are behaving in a way that a piggy is wired to expect and understand. Give plenty of praise when he behaves correctly, even for just a few seconds. Piggies are not stupid; they catch on quickly. ;)
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?
 
4 days is a very short time. I would have given him more time to settle in before handling.
 
@Siikibam if he had been hiding away we would have done, he is incredibly curious and not at all nervous, but we won't push the handling on him, we'll just let him come across to us
 
He’s such a cutie.
When Phoebe first arrived she was very timid.
I found that she was much happier if you could stay in her snuggle pouch if I had to take her out.
She still hates being held.

So glad that Gibson and Keith have bonded so well.
They are :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top