Tips on handling please!

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KimberleysWheekers

KimberleysWheekers

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I really want to be able to pick my piggies up, but they are just not interested!

We got them on Aug 3rd and they are indoor piggies. We got them a run for in the lounge. It's big enough to sit in with them so I've been doing this daily.

They are quite happy to move around the run with me in it, but if I move or try to stroke them, they bolt!

I've held both a couple of times but only because I picked them up in their toilet box thing and then they have come out on to my knee and I haven't let them jump off. I've had a little hold and a stroke then I've let them down.

Today I just sat cross legged with a bowl of food between my legs and let them climb over to get it, without moving my arms to touch them.


I realise it'll take time, but am I going about it all wrong? Is this a good way for them to get used to me? Anybody have any other methods to try?

We had rats in the past and they couldn't be handled. They weren't nasty and never tried to bite us, they just didn't want to be touched. We had a routine where we put the carry box by the cage and they would just jump in, so was never a problem - But I don't want this again! I want to be able to handle my piggies like everyone else talks about! 8...


As always, any advice is greatly appreciated, Thank You! :)
 
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Short and sweet worked for me personally, my first 2 scared me with how much they hated cuddles to start with, Heidi used to make a squeal that sounded like 'WHY! WHY!' broke my heart it did!

Now though they absolutely love it, they don't even try to run anymore, they just sit there purring on my lap till they need a wee (they let me know when by squiggling about)

Every day little by little they will learn to trust you, a few treats won't go amiss either ;)
Good luck x
 
From what you are saying, you have been able to build up a good relationship with your pigs. They are not frightened with you around.

No guinea pig likes to be picked up and held initially; so don't be gutted.

You can do several things: either corner them into a hut and bock any escapes with your hands, or gently shoo them a corner and wrap them in a towel and lift them up that way, or you can try to entice them into a box (if necessary with a gentle prod on the back and a treat inside), so you don't have to hunt them and pick them up with your hands, at least initially.

You can easily handle them from an enclosed space, or cuddle them in there! Give them lots of praise if they do something right, like holding still, so your piggies get an idea what you want from them.

It might be useful, if you had a towel or a cuddle bag for them to hide in, so they don't feel too exposed at first. Dont'be surprised, if they are not sitting still - they have to get the idea of that as well. Give them a little treat afterwards!

This is my own contraption, but you are free to improvise:
IMG_2648_edited-1.jpg
 
I also got into the habit of hand feeding some veggies to them at feeding time and they were more than happy to come up to my hands and take the food. Since I started doing this, whenever i put my hands near them, they always come up and have a sniff and let me pick them up. Maybe I'm just lucky that I have 2 that dont mind being picked up but I am sure you will get there with your piggys in time. x
 
hello, you have been doing the right think so don't worry.

most piggies will run away when * go to pick then up, they think you are going to eat them. you must catch then and put them on your lap for at least 10 min a day otherwise they will never get used to it and you will not be able to handle them.

good luck and keep going
 
oh Wiebke that picture is precious!

You're doing the right thing, and basically all I can do is echo vickyt's post
good luck and I'm sure they'll love having cuddles soon my dear!

x
 
I know where you are coming from lol. My 4 rescue boys are very similar to yours, in that they hate to be picked up and bolt when I make a move as well. However I have started to gain the trust of one of them, my big bruce :) He will now take some veg out of my hand, and when I do pick him up he wont scream to get down any more, but sits there for a moment or two. But this has taken over a month to get to this point ( we have had them longer than that, but went back to the fosterer I got them for for 3 weeks while we were on holiday). The other 3 are still very skittish, but I'm sure that in time they will also start to come round. It sounds like you are doing very much what I have been, so hopefully you will start to see some results soon xx
 
After nearly 3 years, my boys still aren't keen on being picked up or carried, but once you catch them, they are happy enough to sit on your lap. They are naturally shy animals and obviously scared of being eaten and you can't blame them for being nervous when someone grabs them out of their hutch!

When I first got them, they would hide if someone even came in the same room as them. It's just a case of getting them used to people being around them - and of course bribery with food works well!
 
Don't worry it takes time! Only one of my piggies (George) will sit still in his cage when I go to pick him up (had him since dec it took a good 7/8 months to get to this stage) The other three always run off! They eventually get used to it though as two of mine I've only has a short while! All of mine are now fine when I'm holding them on my knee but none of them like being carried around.

You need to start picking them up (whether they like it or not) Just pick them up and keep them on your knee for max 2/3 mins to start with. Then when they stop wriggling so much when you have them try 5 mins and keep increasing the time. Always remember though they need a wee approx every 15/20mins. If they start to pull at your clothes or give you a slight nip they probably need the toilet and you should put them back!

I found a change of scene best when training mine. Instead of sitting on floor by their cage / run, carry them over to a chair / sofa and sit with them there. They will be less antious to get back to the cage / run if they are further away and will normally sit quite still.

When I'm on the couch if they want to get off my lap for a wander I let them for a couple of seconds then put them back on my knee. That way they are not in danger of weeing on the couch but they don't feel like I am holding them captive on my knee!

If you keep picking them up and reward them when they are on your knee at first so they associate being picked up with their favourite veg etc.. they'll soon get used to it

I always talk to them when they are on my knee to reassure them you can talk nonsense or sometimes I make up silly songs I always talk quite quietly so as not to frighten them and it does seem to calm them down!
 
Just to console you - that boy in the picture has taken months of hard work; he was that shy!
But now he will go into the "walkie walkie walkie" box to be carried out to the lawn (if necessary under protest!), or go in a hut to be picked up from there. Apart from that, he still runs first, and asks questions later, only not very far or fast...

Once you can establish a ritual with them, it will be a lot easier!
PS: The way to a piggies heart goes through it's stomach... don't hesitate to bribe them with treats!
 
i've been reading this very useful thread - thanks for all the wisdom imparted here!

I have an additional question about handling... my gp HATES/DETESTS being touched anywhere on his underside. If, during lap-time, I accidentally touch any part of his underside (say, his belly or chest), he jumps & kicks & squeaks in protest. It looks like a little like popcorning, but it isn't - he is definitely not happy.

This makes picking him up a difficulty. :{

So, the way I pick him up is by cupping one hand over his head and cupping the other hand over his rear and picking him up. He doesn't protest much with this style.

Will he ever allow me to touch his underside or his legs? How do I get him to let me do this? I sort of envy those of you who can hold your gps like babies (underside exposed) and tickle them on their bellies!

He is a "short & sweet" kind of guy when it comes to lap-times!
 
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