Newbies settling... again!

[first timer]

Hello,
I adopted my piggies nearly 2 weeks ago. I have really left them as much as possible to let them get to know the surroundings and smells etc. I feed them fresh food (which they absolutely love) twice per day from outside of the cage. They approach tentatively but are eating from my fingers, although as soon as they have it in full possession they drag it back into their house. They only come out to eat when they think I'm not there and when I shuffle slightly they're straight back into the house (at a speed that even Usain Bolt would be impressed with).
I put a cardboard box full of hay into the cage for them to run into so I can transport them to and from the outdoor run. Once in the run and I've left the area they go absolutely nuts. Popping and chasing each other around the run, squeaking at the same time. The moment I make my presence known (in the most subtle way possible) they freeze and bolt back into the cardboard box. I know this isn't a personal thing, but I'm worried that because I haven't even touched them they will never like me to hold them because we'll never get to that point. And because I can't hold them easily I don't know how to do the regular health checks, weigh them or clip their claws (which I'm nervous about doing too!).
They're sleeping now, they're so cute! I just want them to love me (for purely selfish reasons, right?).
I have read the FAQ: How do I settle shy new guinea pigs? thread, which has been great... but although 48 hours is the minimum to start handling them, what is the maximum? I potentially want my piggies to be the ones that are desperate to be handled by me when they see me, not the ones that are a challenge to pick up.
I'll appreciate all advice... and would like to apologise if this has been repeated numerous times by first timers such as myself...

 

[Wiebke]

There are basically two ways ( and schools of thought) on how to go about it - either wait until the piggies are happy enough to pick food from your hands (i.e. until they connect you with the source of all nice things - making a call or rustle to announce that food is coming helps; I make "tsk tsk tsk").

Or handle them pretty much straightaway as part of their daily routine. They may profit from being picked up and held in a cosy at first, so they can feel safer. Just be as gentle and quiet at first as you can.

Whichever way you are doing it, it is a bit of a game of patience at first, but your piggies WILL come round, little by little. Just try to turn everything you do into a ritual, so they can learn what to expect and that it is not random violence perpetrated on them!

 

[first timer]

Thank you, I'm already seeing improvements since the advice from my 'intro' post, but only very little. I may just wait until they stop darting off every time I'm moving. I just didn't know whether I needed to start 'gently' forcing mallethead them to get used to me by picking them up all the time. It's sometimes very hard to just sit and watch... it makes the time and days go slower zzz and seems like they'll never get used to me. They're too quick for me anyway, by the time I get remotely close they're back in their house and quite frankly if they think that's their sanctuary I'd prefer to keep it that way so at least they have one place they feel very safe... I just hope it's going to be in my arms soon!
I think I sound like a crazy 'parent' :a19:.
Regarding health checks, which are suggested to be done on a weekly basis, is there a way I can manage this without holding them?

 

[flips]

I was really nervous about handling my girls at first as they didn't seem to like it but I found using a cosy made them much more secure. You can also do basic checks by running your hands over their bodies without them feeling like they're being held.

Here is Delilah modelling a pink cosy. |)

 

[first timer]

She is just tooooooo cute! I never used to be like this with animals! Ok, thanks, I may just introduce that to them over the next few days. Man, they're two very spoilt piggies... I hope they appreciate it :rose

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

my newish boy Stan is a bit like this too, i get him out via the cosy much to his disapproval!