Please Help - Adopted Gp

[ruthe emmeline]

Hi,

My names Ruthe and I have just adopted my first gp. We looked after a friends boar that was very shy and I built his trust and after a week began to hold him and he started to get comfortable with me and popcorn, when he left I decided I needed one of my own.

I wanted to adopt one so I found a family that could no longer jeep their one year old boar, his name is Freddy. When he first arrivd he seemed so excited, he was out his house and took food, enjoyed being petted etc. The first dat I wanted to clean his cage out as it was filthy and has saw dust - I'd bought tumble fresh and hay ready for him and wanted him to be healthy and happy in his first night.

We tried to pick him up to get him out but he chartered his teeth so the. We took him out whilst he was ina play tube. Since then he got a bit more shy but still liked a stroke on the head and took food

Since then however he's got slowly worse, yesterday (day 4) he bit me whilst I was trying to pet him. I didn't react but I took my hand out and he hid for the rest of the day.

Today day 5 I've been reading to him. He's snatched food off me and ran away and he won't go near me. I feel like we are going backwards. His last owners said how happy he was and I am following all the rules, I feel I should start from the beginning but I don't want him to be a recluse and stop bonding

Any help.... Please!

 

[piggyfan]

Hi Ruthe. Welcome to the forum. When you first bring a piggy home you need to let them adjust to their new environment. This thread will help you
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/

Do not worry that Freddy is now resisting you. It means he feels comfortable to show you his feelings. This is a good thing. It takes time and patience to tame guinea pigs as they are prey animals which makes them very nervous. The fact he takes food from you is great and shows trust.

 

[Goth Mummy]

Ouch, I hope your hand is Ok where he bit you. It all sounds pretty normal, he is just adjusting to the new sounds and sights of your home.

 

[Wiebke]

Give Freddy time to adjust to his new home. He trusts you enough to show you his true feelings, so that is acutally a good sign! The rest is patience and persistence. You are not (yet) "his" human and he wants more space to get used to you first, but I am sure that he will come round! Guinea pigs are group animals. As a single pig, he has just lost his (human) group and is feeling rather vulnerable and lost.

In the long term, you may want to look at a companion for him, but how you best go about it depends on where you are located. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-companionship.37654/

We have got lots of information threads at the top our various Care sections, which you may find helpful.

With members from all over the world, we find it very helpful for giving advice and exchanging experiences if you added your country, state or (for the UK) your county to your details. Click on your name on the top bar, then go personal details/location. thanks!