badger2503
Junior Guinea Pig
I got my two boars on Sunday from Pets Corner - I went there because they have good ethics with their small pets (no profit, regularly handled, often refuse sales etc.) and because there's no rescues near me. I read a lot on here, and other sites, did all of my research. They have a 120 ferplast and have plenty of room, hay, two of everything. We left them alone for the first 48 hours and let them settle.
My boyfriend was able to pick up and hold Lemmy on the second day. Obviously he still did the standard "piggy fleeing" but once he had him, he settled on his lap and was fine. Django is a bit more skittish, but once he had him, again he cuddles up. When I visited them frequently at the store (I had them reserved for a month) the girl was able to get them out for handling and allow me to hold no problem.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I cannot handle them at ALL
I tried taking it slowly, putting my hand in the cage so they can sniff me and they had a gentle tug on my fingers, testing me out. I moved on to stroking them gently. While I was stroking Lemmy, he growled - I'm sure it was a growl because it was the same noise Django makes when Lemmy gets too close to him in a small space (they're 3 months and working out who's in charge atm). So I left him alone. If I even touch Django, he flinches and runs. They run off as normal when trying to be picked up. My boyfriend thinks I'm too hesitant as he just grabs them, but I'm terrified of hurting them.
I absolutely cannot get hold of Django. I got Lemmy after some cornering and he would not stop struggling or settle, which he usually does for everyone else. I tried what I read on guinea lynx about holding them gently but firmly until they stop struggling. Then he started biting. Quite hard. It hurt and he drew blood. So I put him back. He was squeaking the entire time.
I'm a bit upset because I've always read that guinea pigs seldom bite and only bite hard if there's something really wrong but honestly I have no idea what I'm doing wrong! Please can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong, and how can I pick them up? I read about using cosies and tunnels but it did not work. I wouldn't mind but it seems to be only me. I know they're used to handling so I can't understand it.
My boyfriend was able to pick up and hold Lemmy on the second day. Obviously he still did the standard "piggy fleeing" but once he had him, he settled on his lap and was fine. Django is a bit more skittish, but once he had him, again he cuddles up. When I visited them frequently at the store (I had them reserved for a month) the girl was able to get them out for handling and allow me to hold no problem.
I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I cannot handle them at ALL
I tried taking it slowly, putting my hand in the cage so they can sniff me and they had a gentle tug on my fingers, testing me out. I moved on to stroking them gently. While I was stroking Lemmy, he growled - I'm sure it was a growl because it was the same noise Django makes when Lemmy gets too close to him in a small space (they're 3 months and working out who's in charge atm). So I left him alone. If I even touch Django, he flinches and runs. They run off as normal when trying to be picked up. My boyfriend thinks I'm too hesitant as he just grabs them, but I'm terrified of hurting them.
I absolutely cannot get hold of Django. I got Lemmy after some cornering and he would not stop struggling or settle, which he usually does for everyone else. I tried what I read on guinea lynx about holding them gently but firmly until they stop struggling. Then he started biting. Quite hard. It hurt and he drew blood. So I put him back. He was squeaking the entire time.
I'm a bit upset because I've always read that guinea pigs seldom bite and only bite hard if there's something really wrong but honestly I have no idea what I'm doing wrong! Please can someone tell me what I'm doing wrong, and how can I pick them up? I read about using cosies and tunnels but it did not work. I wouldn't mind but it seems to be only me. I know they're used to handling so I can't understand it.