Advice On Handling

[Robbo89]

So I got two Guinea pigs last weekend, Keith and Steve.

I let them settle for 2 days and then I decided it was best to stroke them at first and not pick up.

I stroked Steve for 2 days and then started handling him, he is very relaxed being handled and comes to my hand to be stroked.

Keith however is completely different. In some ways he is a very confident Guinea pig. He will take veg from my hand (Steve won't) and is more adventures in his run than Steve.

He won't let me touch him at all and I don't know how to help him settle. If I try and gently stroke he runs off kind of half jumping as he goes.

I haven't even attempted to pick him up because I can't get anywhere near him. When I've been cleaning them out I've had to lift him out whilst he is in his log.

Does anyone know where I'm going wrong? I don't know whether to carry on attempting to touch him or just accept he is a Guinea pig that doesn't want to be touched.

Any tips please?

 

[TheLottiediarys]

I think it's very early days,

He's still getting used to a new home, new sights, smells, sounds, a new human.

It sounds like you've got two guinea pigs who are getting used to you in two different ways,
Steve is happy to be touched and held, but isn't brave enough to take food from you,
But Keith is brave enough to take food but isn't happy to be touched yet, but that doesn't mean in time he won't,

You've really only had them a week which is a very short space of time, but look at the progress they've made so far!
Being touched!
Taking food!

That's a very good sign that they're getting used to you,
I would continue as you are
Maybe let Keith come to you but try not to make any attempts to grab him for a little while,
Guinea pigs are shy by nature as they are prey animals, so taming isn't usually a 'quick' process,
From the sounds of it your doing everything right though, as you've got some good signs already