Taming isn’t working

guineapigs03

guineapigs03

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I’ve been trying to tame my two male guinea pigs for over a year now taking them out for lap time, petting them in the cage and giving them treats to try and bond but they have gotten no more and maybe even less friendly since I first adopted them. I’ve almost given up on ever trying to interact with them other than feeding,cleaning or taking out for floor time( I can’t be near them when they are because they won’t even come out of the house ) as soon as I walk in the room they run away. They just seem angry and terrified if I come anywhere near them.Any advice on how to fix this because I feel bad because I just have to basically leave them alone all the time.
 
guineapigs03 said:
I’ve been trying to tame my two male guinea pigs for over a year now taking them out for lap time, petting them in the cage and giving them treats to try and bond but they have gotten no more and maybe even less friendly since I first adopted them. I’ve almost given up on ever trying to interact with them other than feeding,cleaning or taking out for floor time( I can’t be near them when they are because they won’t even come out of the house ) as soon as I walk in the room they run away. They just seem angry and terrified if I come anywhere near them.Any advice on how to fix this because I feel bad because I just have to basically leave them alone all the time.
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Hi!

Not all piggies like being petted if you give them the choice. Most of mine won't allow me to touch them in the cage and will tolerate lap time but definitely not love it.

I still have a good relationship because I interact with them in a different way - from personality to personality, respecting them and instincts and desires. I let them play around me, talk back to them in their own body language and praise them lavishly for what they give me freely.
And I do not burden them with human expectations that they won't live up to; instead I allow them to take me on their journey. They are not so much human pets as I am a somewhat daft giant piggy when we are interacting.
 
I’m fine with them not being cuddly. I knew that probably wasn’t going to happen when I first got them. I just wish they would at least let me watch them play and stuff like that cause they won’t come out of their bidet if I’m around. it’s hard to have a bond with them if I don’t even see them half the time :(
 
Do you talk to them when you walk into the room? Or when you’re anywhere near them? Just general chit chat. A predator won’t alter prey to its presence. Do they come out of hiding when you rustle a bag or call them to eat? Do they accept being handled? Did something happen that you think scared them? Sorry for so many questions, it just sounds odd that a year later they still hide. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will be along soon to help you out. In the meantime maybe read the guide on understanding prey animal instincts

I have to admit I haven’t handled mine as much as recommended or as others (had them a year next month). However, I interact(ed) with them on their terms. They now love to be stroked and are ok with lap time. Toffee in particular is actually quite ‘needy’ and won’t move until he’s had his fill. He even gets jealous when I’m stroking his cage mate - chattering his teeth until I stroke him again. And yesterday when I picked him up he hardly protested!

My point is that all this has taken time and PATIENCE.

Actually what happens when you have laptime with them?
 
They come out when I put food in their bowl or make noise that could mean food. I dont think I have done anything on purpose to make them scared of me it might just be that they associate me with nail cutting, brushing and bathing for the long haired one extra. When I take them out for lap time I will have them sitting on a towel in case they pee, they usually freez for a few minutes and then try to hide under it. Sometimes they crawl off my lap trying to find somewhere els to hid and then if they can’t they just freez again and look terrified this is when I usually put them back in the cage.
 
My girl is 3 years old and she still will not tolerate being stroked in the cage. She does however enjoy a cuddle on my lap.

My boy however who is also 3 years old enjoys a stroke in the cage as well as a cuddle on my lap

All piggies are different. Take take it to heart :)
 
Maybe they feel a bit exposed at lap time? 2 of my 3 prefer to nuzzle up close to my chest and face and have me nibble their ears rather than have them down on my lap and loom over them. Puggle hates lap time but likes face snuggles. Try embrace the pee on your clothes and fur in your mouth and snuggle them to your face (preferably while covered in coriander or parsley) and see what happens!
 
Maybe just sitting quietly in their room after feeding them will help.
I do this when I have new piggies.
I just sit, sometimes talking quietly, sometimes just sitting reading a book.
They get used to your voice and your smell and begin to trust that you are not scary
 
If they burrow during lap time maybe you could get a guy an
 
Sorry I was typing while dozing off! Maybe get another towel and cover them with it during laptime.
 
Go to the link Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
and scroll down to "Using guinea pig body language to make friendly contact" - this really helps.

They will always have prey instincts and startle at sudden noises or movements and hate being caught but they can learn that you are on their side.

Also I suspect they are picking up on your frustration. If you can start lap time at a time when you are feeling happy and talk to them gently in your most confident voice that will help too. The tips in the link above will help to tell them in "piggy language" that you are not about to eat them (a fear they never completely lose!)
 
You could also try having them out in cosies at lap times we did this with Vimto when she was all scared and it helped
 
Boars tend to be less cuddly, but if you pop them on your chest and feed them veggies they will sit there all day. Don't give veggies in a bowl, do lap time 2x a day they will soon associate lap time with happiness. Also if your piggies are in a room you don't frequent often they they won't be used to the hustle and bustle of humans.
 
I think there has been some great advice already posted, I have two boys atm who both came from farms originally so were not particularly well socialised as babies. They were both uncomfortable with being handled and having laptime, and were afraid of the usual house-noises. A few things I do for them are -

- Use a cuddle cup/cosie when they’re on your lap and offer their fave foods while there inside. Being surrounded on three sides by the cosie provides comfort and the feeling of ‘hiding’
- Talk to them constantly while they’re out, maybe even try singing (my little boy Butter is very timid but he loves being sung to and he will sing along with me!)
- if they’re not in a cosie I usually have them against my chest, near my heart (heartbeats provide comfort to small animals) and create a ‘cave’ under my chin so they can burrow their head under there
- When they first arrived I sat and hand fed them their veggies a lot, it encourages them to associate you with food and eventually when humans approach the cage they will come out instead of running to hide. Had to make sure they each got a piece at the same time though!
- when they’re in the run I make it big enough so I can sit in with them. I don’t try and interact with them, just sit there and become a piggie play toy. It’s great until Mousse decides to ‘taste’ my feet 😂 but it does help them build confidence around you. Just don’t move quickly!

Above all, perseverance. All piggies are different and will take to different things. Mousse loves laptime now, even when I brush him (check out the Floof Club House, he needs a lot of brushing 😂) and he especially likes watching telly. Butter is still getting used to it but he is now singing to me and eating when he’s out and he likes snuggles, he just hates loud noises or sudden movements. He has just started coming to me when I sit in the run as well (Mousse will clamber all over me, he’s not shy at all!).
 
if u have some kind of chair or year phone u can watch youtube or do something near them I'm planning to play my gaming laptop by my 2 girls to get them use too me but i read on taming that if u pretent to ignore them they might come see what u r doing watch from the corner of year eye to see if they come see u😁
 
Always offer tiny veggie treats whenever you interact with them, this should help them associate you with food and talk to them quietly. Snuggle sacks and coseys are great for lap time or hold them to your chest with a towel or blanket over their head and back, this helps them feel safe. Good luck x

I have had boars and sows over the years and boys can be just a loveable as the girls, if not more so, in my opinion
 
My last two boars: Neither of them liked being stroked in the cage, but I could sit and watch and/or listen to them fine. I deliberately kept them in the living room, where people would be and they could get used to people coming in and out. They'd come out and play, wind each other up, all the fun things boars like to do. Comet was always at the bars for food, and god forbid you rustle a bag because he'd wake the whole street up in protest. Accidentally rustled a hay bag at 3am once and he insisted on being fed for at least an hour afterwards. He was always really social, good with being handled (unless you were the vet), happy to say hello. Blitzen on the other hand...when he finally let me hand feed him I was so excited, it took him months longer than Comet. Both were treated exactly the same way AND brought home at the same time, Blitzen was just far happier letting Comet hog the limelight. You will get there, it might feel like it takes forever but it's so worth it when you get past that point.
 
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