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juniper89

juniper89

Junior Guinea Pig
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Mar 13, 2018
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South Carolina, United States
Hello all!

I just got my first guinea pig on Saturday, 3 March 2018!

I'm trying to get to know her a lot better.

She doesn't seem to like me very much, no matter what I do. I try and put in time with her. I've gotten to where I'll take her out of her cage and feed her treats. No matter what I do, she always relapses into either fearfulness or anger.

Sometimes she seems to enjoy being petted, other times she doesn't. I'm just very confused because she's very unpredictable. She comes out of her cage and she doesn't seem to mind when I'm in the room with her. But she absolutely hates being picked up, and she runs back in her cage if I get near her.

I would share the sound she makes when I pet her, but I don't know the rules with regard to sharing files on here
 
Hello Welcome to the forum!

Very early days yet and quite normal, we have all been there like this. Guinea Pigs are prey animals so it can take a while to gain their trust

We always start off after 2 weeks by trying to hand feed a few veggy treats in the cage by offering some nice veggies to the new piggy when they are in their hidey, hopefully they will take it off you as you hold it in for them... but if not just pop it in for them, then try holding it in there while they take it off you, eventually they will then once that has happened try offering it a little further from the hidey so they edge out and take it from you.

Food is the best way to bribe, use food when you get round to lap times also (this will be a while off at the moment) Start lap time for a short amount of time at first and build up. We started off we laptimes for 1 minute with new piggies then pop them back, slowly increasing the time. They will soon associate you with food and good things but at first it takes a while to gain their trust.

The fact she is around while you are in the room is a good sign that she is trusting you

Piggies because of there prey instinct hate being picked up it goes against all instincts of there defense, even the tamest piggy does not like getting picked up (think eagle from the sky)

Try this technique
 
juniper89 said:
Hello all!

I just got my first guinea pig on Saturday, 3 March 2018!

I'm trying to get to know her a lot better.

She doesn't seem to like me very much, no matter what I do. I try and put in time with her. I've gotten to where I'll take her out of her cage and feed her treats. No matter what I do, she always relapses into either fearfulness or anger.

Sometimes she seems to enjoy being petted, other times she doesn't. I'm just very confused because she's very unpredictable. She comes out of her cage and she doesn't seem to mind when I'm in the room with her. But she absolutely hates being picked up, and she runs back in her cage if I get near her.

I would share the sound she makes when I pet her, but I don't know the rules with regard to sharing files on here
Click to expand...
:wel: to this friendly guinea pig forum!
When I first got my guinea pigs, they were not even CLOSE to being used to me. It takes about a few months for some people but it can even take up to a year! I have had my guinea pigs for around 1 year and they are defintely not used to me! :no:
I would just try to feed 'them by handing feeding him vegis, that usually gets them use to you. :luv: If you try to pet 'them, I would try to pet on the nose, if they pull away, try again later because you don't want to make them feel like you are making them be pet by you!
 
juniper89 said:
Hello all!

I just got my first guinea pig on Saturday, 3 March 2018!

I'm trying to get to know her a lot better.

She doesn't seem to like me very much, no matter what I do. I try and put in time with her. I've gotten to where I'll take her out of her cage and feed her treats. No matter what I do, she always relapses into either fearfulness or anger.

Sometimes she seems to enjoy being petted, other times she doesn't. I'm just very confused because she's very unpredictable. She comes out of her cage and she doesn't seem to mind when I'm in the room with her. But she absolutely hates being picked up, and she runs back in her cage if I get near her.

I would share the sound she makes when I pet her, but I don't know the rules with regard to sharing files on here
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

You may also find this guide here helpful: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

The links we have given you are part of our new owners' collection in which we are addressing all the usual areas that new owners have questions about. We have combined them with some important information, which can save you problems in the longer run. You will hopefully find it very helpful: New Owners' Problem Solver And Information Collection

Please be aware that you need to save up for vet care right from the start, so you can always have your guinea pig seen and treated and are not in any danger of losing her to a perfectly treatable illness, which always comes with huge distress and heart-break for the owner and big rows for the family if you are still a minor.
Emergencies and illness NEVER happen at a good time! Vet care in the US is unfortunately very expensive and there is no insurance for guinea pigs. If you are still a minor, please have a chat your parents/guardian now rather than in the stress of an acute illness. veterinary fees - some important information

Please be also aware that guinea pigs are social animals that are not wired to live on their own; with your work/school commitments and your social life you cannot give her the 24/7 company that she requires over the course of an average 5-7 years' life time. Please consider to get her a same sex companion if at all possible. You are going to enjoy the vocal interaction that is making guinea pigs so unique!
Companionship
Sexing Guide
 
Hello and welcome.
Don’t panic
I have 2 sows who still hate picked up. Petting is on their terms. Be patient as they do respond to love and gentleness.
Do post some pics.
 
Guinea pigs rarely lose the instinct to flee or try to wriggle free when being picked up. They still have the prey instinct of their wild ancestors. When one is picked up their instinct scream at them, "OH NO! I'M ABOUT TO BE EATEN!" If they like and trust you they'll calm down when you put something under their feet. When you pick them up put your hand under them as quickly as possible. Better yet, try to coax them into a tunnel or box that can be lifted out of the cage.
 
Thank you all for your prompt replies! They have been very helpful and encouraging!

@Wiebke , Thankfully there is a specialist not too far from here were she to become ill. I do have a backup fund for her. Also, I did plan on getting another sow. I'm looking at a 7-month-old named "Thistle" about 15 minutes from where I live. Thistle's cagemate (Rosalyn) had babies, and now the owner is looking to rehome her. She has a great personality, and I think her experience with humans will help my guinea pig. I'm waiting for the owner to get back in contact with me.
 
juniper89 said:
Thank you all for your prompt replies! They have been very helpful and encouraging!

@Wiebke , Thankfully there is a specialist not too far from here were she to become ill. I do have a backup fund for her. Also, I did plan on getting another sow. I'm looking at a 7-month-old named "Thistle" about 15 minutes from where I live. Thistle's cagemate (Rosalyn) had babies, and now the owner is looking to rehome her. She has a great personality, and I think her experience with humans will help my guinea pig. I'm waiting for the owner to get back in contact with me.
Click to expand...

Thank you for clarifying these points; you sound like an informed and responsible owner. We always try to make sure we know a bit of the background and stand of knowledge.

A pregnancy that upturns the existing hierarchy can unfortunately lead to a fall-out between the original sows. We have got detailed bonding guides in our bonding session. You can find them either via our guides shortcut on the top bar or at the top of our Bonding and Behaviour section, but you are of course always welcome to ask any questions you may have.
 
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