A very nervous boy - advice please

[Slingy68]

I have had Howard and Vince for a year. They both seem very settled and happy in their cage. There are occasional spats between them, but nothing serious - this always seems a bit six of one and half a dozen of the other so neither seems to be particularly dominant. Vince is very chiled and laid back. Howard has always been nervous but recently is much worse - he is teeth chattering all the time being held, tries to leap out of my hands and seems really distressed by being handled. I keep holding and handling him to get him more used to me but I'm not sure it's working.

Any advice as to how I can help him to settle with this would be gratefully received...

 

[Swissgreys]

Hello and Welcome to the Forum


I love this thread about shy and nervous piggies (even if those shy and nervous piggies are not 'new').
I think combined with the piggy whispering thread (linked at the bottom) it is a great place to start.

How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?

The only other thing to consider would be ruling out a medical problem if this behavior is new.
Is there something that could be causing him pain meaning he is reluctant to be handled?
Maybe a quick vet check wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Wiebke]

I have had Howard and Vince for a year. They both seem very settled and happy in their cage. There are occasional spats between them, but nothing serious - this always seems a bit six of one and half a dozen of the other so neither seems to be particularly dominant. Vince is very chiled and laid back. Howard has always been nervous but recently is much worse - he is teeth chattering all the time being held, tries to leap out of my hands and seems really distressed by being handled. I keep holding and handling him to get him more used to me but I'm not sure it's working.

Any advice as to how I can help him to settle with this would be gratefully received...

Hi and welcome!

Please have Howard checked for mange mites. They burrow their eggs in the painful skin. Suddenly not liking being held and having their skin touched can be the first symptom for an outbreak. You want to close out that angle.

Has Howard had a bad experience while being cuddled?

Please take the time to read this guide here. I hope that you find the information and tips in it helpful.
Please do not push him any further than he wants to, but take it slowly and gradually. Take a step back and start back at the start again whenever you cross the line. If you do it right, you will get back up again quicker every time this happens. Building up trust is not a quick process, but by respecting his prey animal instincts and by making him welcome and telling him in his own language that he is a welcome and beloved member of your group, you can help this process along.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

 

[coco bean]

Hi there
Some pigs just don't like being picked up. I would recommend taking Howard out for maybe 30 second cuddles then put him back when he seems comfortable with that go to one minute and so on. That method has really worked with my pigs so maybe it will with yours!
From
Lizy , Coco pig and Cookie pig x

 

[Merab]

Welcome to the forum
@Wiebke is right in that it is important to rule out a health issue.
Piggies are prey animals- their default position is:
“You’re going to eat me- I must run away “

With a naturally nervous piggy you need to go for the slow and gentle approach.
Talk to him all the time, don’t try to pick him up, allow him to become accustomed to you as a safe presence and a provider of good things.

Not all piggies like being held and the fact that he is ‘telling’ you he doesn’t want to be held can also be a sign that he trusts you now and is telling you what he likes or doesn’t like.

 

[Slingy68]

Thank you all. He's been checked and is healthy. I think he's just a boy who doesn't like being held. I'm going to build up time with him and see how that goes.

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you all. He's been checked and is healthy. I think he's just a boy who doesn't like being held. I'm going to build up time with him and see how that goes.

Try our picking up, laptime and piggy whispering tips from the link I have given you! All the best!