1 Step Forward, 1 Back

[Bigsize9fot]

We've had our girls now for about 2 months. I think I've worked out which one is dominant. They seem fairly well settled. One of the girls doesn't seem to like handled much. She head butts you and nips you while she is on your knee. She also constantly poos and pees. I thought I had had a breakthrough as a couple of times she has let me stroke her under her chin quite happily and didn't do any toileting. She also gave me quite a few licks.She tolerated it for about 10 mins before she started her nipping and butting. However the last few times she has gone back to her old ways. I wonder if she might be scared? She doesn't seem to like being seperated from the other girl and is noticeably calmer if she is with her.

My plan is to keep taking her out and trying to persevere with her. Do you think this is the right thing to do? The other girl is much friendlier (shes the dominant one)

 

[piggieminder]

One of my boars is very timid and doesn't like to be handled but I handle him most days for a few minutes. Peanut is 2 now and I don't think he will ever be a lap pig but as he has to be handled to have his nails cut and for vet visits I think it's best he's used to it even if he doesn't like it. Some piggies never become cuddly lap pigs, like humans they have their different characters. Sounds like 10 mins is enough for your girl at the moment but with patience you may be able to build this up. If you can manage it have them both out together if the timid one is happy that way. Peanut is also better when Spike is around so my partner and I sit together and handle the boys at the same time where they can see each other. I can't manage both at once on my own as Spike is a fidget and trys to dive off the sofa.

 

[sport_billy]

We have a biter called Vimto, she is now nearly reformed and does not always try to taste zeeee blood or zeeee flesh now...

Some piggies while fine in the cage and interacting on their terms with you but when on laps feel a little vulnerable, the nibbles are her way of telling you she does not like it. I used to get actual snaps off Vimto and she would draw blood too
She was just a very scared piggie and felt vulnerable on laps, she didn't appear frightened (but obviously was) but she was confident enough with me not just to freeze and it was here way of saying 'please put me home i don't like this'. We worked at it and would take her out for 30 seconds then pop here home, we did this 3 times a week for around a month weeks, then slowly increased it up to 5 mins via 30 second increments . Each lap session she'd have a sprig of coriander. It took us 6-8 months but she doesn't bite now and will happily chill on laps for a while but not for too long We would never let anyone else have Vimto on there lap in case she wanted to taste the forbidden flesh once more

But some piggies really hate lap time and we as owners have to respect that, we'd all but gave up with Vimto and used to interact at the bars with her in the cage until we gave the above method a try.

Another thing is to have them in cosies on you lap, that may give them extra security.

 

[Bigsize9fot]

Thanks. That's helpful. Sometimes she will do 10 mins and over times just a few mins so I tend to just put her back in now if she starts nipping. She never draws blood thankfully and its never sore- its just telling me shes not happy I suppose. I will keep trying and try and extend her time. Will try the cosy idea although at the moment Ive been wrapping her in a fleece and she just tears at it and wants out from under it. I think like you say she is frightened. Hopefully that will improve with time. Its quite hard as my girls don't like to be separated which means the other more friendly pig who loves lap time cant stay out for too long as the timid girl gets anxious without her.