Betsy's Guinea Pigs

[Betsy]

I think Saxon is starting to trust me. As usual, it was difficult to get him into the Snuggle Sack Express for his morning cuddle. He is excellent at the game of catch me if you can. When he went in it, I sat down with him in the Cuddle Chair (yes I really do have a Cuddle Chair!) I lifted him gently out of the Snuggle Sack Express (his safe space at cuddle time) and onto my lap. Usually he only tolerates about of minute of me stroking his cheeks and nose and he puts himself back in his safe place and then waits for his coriander. This morning, however, he stayed where he was and let me put my hand gently down his sides and his back for about 5 minutes. He also let me put my fingers underneath him a couple of times before heading back to his safe space. Then he had his coriander before going back in the run. He's never let me do that before.

 

[Truffolo]

Well done It's lovely when they start to really enjoy being petted

 

[Betsy]

Dandelion time!

Saxon



Bramble



Misty making sure NO ONE gets her dandelion leaf.

 

[Ramia]

As representative of the GPU I wonder why Saxon isn't complaining about getting one single leaf.

 

[Ramia]

Has @Betsy ever been on the wall of shame?

Hmmm...convenient

 

[Betsy]

Has @Betsy ever been on the wall of shame?

Hmmm...convenient

I haven't been on the Wall of Shame, but you need to remember that the advice that The Ever Beautiful Betsy (Shop Steward, retired), The One and Only Thea (Shop Steward, retired), Miss Bramble (Shop Steward, retired) and Sir Saxon Canute (Shop Steward) has been tried out on me first to see if it works. If it does, it goes out to the piggies in Forumland needing advice. I know I'm not the perfect Slave and so do my piggies. ATM Saxon is working on the game of catch me if you can, how to look cute and get some snacks whenever Hooman comes in the garage (it even works on Daddy Hooman) and how to get more coriander after cuddletime.

 

[Ramia]

I haven't been on the Wall of Shame, but you need to remember that the advice that The Ever Beautiful Betsy (Shop Steward, retired), The One and Only Thea (Shop Steward, retired), Miss Bramble (Shop Steward, retired) and Sir Saxon Canute (Shop Steward) has been tried out on me first to see if it works. If it does, it goes out to the piggies in Forumland needing advice. I know I'm not the perfect Slave and so do my piggies. ATM Saxon is working on the game of catch me if you can, how to look cute and get some snacks whenever Hooman comes in the garage (it even works on Daddy Hooman) and how to get more coriander after cuddletime.

I hope he gets more coriander.

I just bought some cuz six months ago Chez wouldn't eat it so I never bought it.

Well he eats it now! Stripe was a little scared of it at first but they both devoured it

They would both like Saxons advice on how to get more

 

[Betsy]

They would both like Saxons advice on how to get more

Dear Stripe and Chez

I am still working on how to con my Hooman and my Daddy Hooman out of more coriander. So far looking expectantly at whoever comes into the garage and having Bramble by my side looking expectantly at them too seems to work although we don't get coriander all the time, we do get some sort of treat. Also I inhale my coriander after cuddletime and my Hooman thinks this is very cute and so gives me more. You have 2 suggestions so far. If I manage to come up with more ideas that are successful, I'll let you know.

Your helpful friend

Sir Saxon Canute
Shop Steward

 

[Ramia]

Dear Saxon

We expect something every time she comes in the room. We're happy now it means one of those times it's coriander.

We really wish we could have floor time twice a day, not just at one o'clock.

On cage cleaning days we don't really want to come out of the cage.

Thanks for the advice. You truly are representing guinea pig kind.

Stripe and Chez

 

[Betsy]

I need to pick your brains please.

When I open the door of the hutch for veggie dindins time or supper time, Saxon always reaches out so far, I think he's going to over balance and fall out of the hutch. I've tried gently pushing him back but this doesn't work as he just moves further along and does it again. He is there, scratching at the door where it opens and as soon as I unlock the bolt he helps me open it by pushing it with his nose, standing on the ledge and leaning out almost to the point of overbalancing he leans out so far. I've tried to put my body in the way, but as I'm clearly taking far too long, I get a nip which hurts. I have the food ready to put in the hutch and physically can't do it any quicker. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep him in the hutch while I open the door to him not nearly falling out?

 

[Truffolo]

I need to pick your brains please.

When I open the door of the hutch for veggie dindins time or supper time, Saxon always reaches out so far, I think he's going to over balance and fall out of the hutch. I've tried gently pushing him back but this doesn't work as he just moves further along and does it again. He is there, scratching at the door where it opens and as soon as I unlock the bolt he helps me open it by pushing it with his nose, standing on the ledge and leaning out almost to the point of overbalancing he leans out so far. I've tried to put my body in the way, but as I'm clearly taking far too long, I get a nip which hurts. I have the food ready to put in the hutch and physically can't do it any quicker. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to keep him in the hutch while I open the door to him not nearly falling out?

Perhaps it would be worth putting a big cushion or two on the floor as an extra safety precaution. But the best thing is to avoid a fall. It is a tricky question.

 

[Ramia]

Can you block the door with a pillow and when you open the door lower the pillow so you can get your hand in with the veggies while blocking him?

 

[weepweeps]

The only thing I can think of is give him something to eat through the bars first at the other end of the door. I do this with my two. I always feed them something before opening the door as a distraction and then I scatter the rest away from the door in the same place. So they know where to aim for when they’ve eaten their first bit. Hope that makes sense.

 

[Roselina]

Oh he’s a tricky young piggy
Could you use a piece of cardboard in your other hand as a barrier and to gently block him ……

 

[Merab]

Is it possible to fasten some grids to the front of the cage to stop him falling out ?
They could be fixed so they are easily removed when needed.
I have some spare grids if you think this is feasible

 

[Betsy]

Is it possible to fasten some grids to the front of the cage to stop him falling out ?
They could be fixed so they are easily removed when needed.
I have some spare grids if you think this is feasible

Not sure about whether this is feasible or not. Its a good idea though. Not sure if I could secure them well enough.

The only thing I can think of is give him something to eat through the bars first at the other end of the door. I do this with my two. I always feed them something before opening the door as a distraction and then I scatter the rest away from the door in the same place. So they know where to aim for when they’ve eaten their first bit. Hope that makes sense.

Good idea. I'll try this tonight at supper time and see if it works.

Oh he’s a tricky young piggy
Could you use a piece of cardboard in your other hand as a barrier and to gently block him ……

I like this idea. I'll see if I have a bit of cardboard big enough.

Can you block the door with a pillow and when you open the door lower the pillow so you can get your hand in with the veggies while blocking him?

Good idea but a pillow would be too bulky. I have a hutch and the door opens outwards so I wouldn't be able to get the pillow in the way quickly enough.

Perhaps it would be worth putting a big cushion or two on the floor as an extra safety precaution. But the best thing is to avoid a fall. It is a tricky question.

The problem with this is the hutch is a double decker and the piggies live in the Penthouse Suite which is 3ft from the floor. So although a cushion would avoid him getting so hurt if he should fall, he would run off as he'd be frightened and I wouldn't be able to get him back. There are plenty of places for a piggy to hide in the garage and he doesn't like to be handled very much. Saxon will tolerate a cuddle for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes in the morning depending on his mood.

 

[piggieminder]

You could try lining it with Corex, cut/fold it with the box corners like C&C cages the upstand edge would help stop him from falling out as long as he didn't jump over it in his excitement.

 

[Betsy]

Have found a bit of wood that I could try to see if I can get it in the door quick enough to stop him trying to lean out so far. I wouldn't leave it in the hutch though as I don't know what it's been treated with and they would probably chew it.

 

[Betsy]

The piece of wood worked. Saxon stayed back in the hutch. It frightened off Bramble and she ran quickly in the opposite direction and Misty wasn't sure so she was cautious. Nothing and I mean NOTHING comes between Saxon and FOOOOOOOD! He stayed about an inch away from the wood looking a bit confused but as food arrived he was happy. Hopefully, I'll be able to teach him that leaning out of the hutch so far you nearly out is a bad idea and won't have to use the wood in the future.

 

[Merab]

Glad you found a workable solution for Saxon.
If he’s that keen to get at the food maybe you aren’t feeding him enough

 

[Roselina]

The piece of wood worked. Saxon stayed back in the hutch. It frightened off Bramble and she ran quickly in the opposite direction and Misty wasn't sure so she was cautious. Nothing and I mean NOTHING comes between Saxon and FOOOOOOOD! He stayed about an inch away from the wood looking a bit confused but as food arrived he was happy. Hopefully, I'll be able to teach him that leaning out of the hutch so far you nearly out is a bad idea and won't have to use the wood in the future.

I’m glad that worked …I used that idea when I looked after my brother’s ferrets - they were just like Saxon

 

[Betsy]

If he’s that keen to get at the food maybe you aren’t feeding him enough

Doesn't every piggy think the same? After all you do describe them as appetites with fur!

 

[Betsy]

I’m glad that worked …I used that idea when I looked after my brother’s ferrets - they were just like Saxon

Dear Aunty @Roselina

Please do not liken me to a ferret. They are smelly, inferior creatures. I would not go up (or down) a trouser leg and I certainly would not lower myself to raising along pipes!

Yours very disgruntled and your piggies helpful friend

Sir Saxon Canute
Shop Steward

 

[Mrs Tiggy Winkle]

Saxon will tolerate a cuddle for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes

That's a huge long cuddle!

 

[Betsy]

That's a huge long cuddle!

It is for Saxon. My best cuddle bug was my heart piggie The Ever Beautiful Betsy. She loved a cuddle and I could cuddle her all day if I wanted (I didn't obviously) she would tell me she needed a wee by pulling at my clothes. So I would pop her down in the run so she could have a wee then she asked to be picked up again! Here are my favourite pigtures of her.

 

[Merab]

Always lovely to see the Ever Beautiful Betsy

 

[Betsy]

I've come to the conclusion that Saxon, at some point in his young life before being surrendered to the Rescue, was rough handled by previous owners. He's such a friendly little chap and is fine out in the open in the run and has taught Misty and Bramble it's safe too and they don't run for cover any more. He is always on the hunt for food and will willingly take food from anybody and will say hello to anyone too.

Saxon does not like being picked up or handled in any way. In the evenings when I put him back in the hutch, he will willingly go in the Snuggle Sack Express because he knows he's going straight back in the hutch for veggie dindins and is always the first to go in. However, in the mornings, it's a totally different matter. He sees Misty and Bramble being picked up without a bother and so I was hoping this would help him be less scared. I have tempt him in the Snuggle Sack Express. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes of me trying to coax him in. He needs to get used to being handled in case he needs medication and/or eyedrops. When I get him in the Snuggle Sack Express, I take him to the cuddle chair, take him out, leave the Snuggle Sack Express open on my lap for him to go into when he's had enough of being handled which can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes he always gets Coriander after cuddle time which he inhales then he goes in the run for the day with Misty and Bramble which he loves. My OH discovered him having the zoomies the other day.

I treat him with kindness and respect, as I do with all my piggies, but he's still a scared little piggy when it comes to being handled. I adopted Saxon just over 9 months ago at the end of October last year.

 

[Ramia]

I've come to the conclusion that Saxon, at some point in his young life before being surrendered to the Rescue, was rough handled by previous owners. He's such a friendly little chap and is fine out in the open in the run and has taught Misty and Bramble it's safe too and they don't run for cover any more. He is always on the hunt for food and will willingly take food from anybody and will say hello to anyone too.

Saxon does not like being picked up or handled in any way. In the evenings when I put him back in the hutch, he will willingly go in the Snuggle Sack Express because he knows he's going straight back in the hutch for veggie dindins and is always the first to go in. However, in the mornings, it's a totally different matter. He sees Misty and Bramble being picked up without a bother and so I was hoping this would help him be less scared. I have tempt him in the Snuggle Sack Express. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes of me trying to coax him in. He needs to get used to being handled in case he needs medication and/or eyedrops. When I get him in the Snuggle Sack Express, I take him to the cuddle chair, take him out, leave the Snuggle Sack Express open on my lap for him to go into when he's had enough of being handled which can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes he always gets Coriander after cuddle time which he inhales then he goes in the run for the day with Misty and Bramble which he loves. My OH discovered him having the zoomies the other day.

I treat him with kindness and respect, as I do with all my piggies, but he's still a scared little piggy when it comes to being handled. I adopted Saxon just over 9 months ago at the end of October last year.

Chez is the same way. He's not scared of me, just hates being handled. He'll crawl over me at floor time but for health checks he really fights it.

 

[Roselina]

I've come to the conclusion that Saxon, at some point in his young life before being surrendered to the Rescue, was rough handled by previous owners. He's such a friendly little chap and is fine out in the open in the run and has taught Misty and Bramble it's safe too and they don't run for cover any more. He is always on the hunt for food and will willingly take food from anybody and will say hello to anyone too.

Saxon does not like being picked up or handled in any way. In the evenings when I put him back in the hutch, he will willingly go in the Snuggle Sack Express because he knows he's going straight back in the hutch for veggie dindins and is always the first to go in. However, in the mornings, it's a totally different matter. He sees Misty and Bramble being picked up without a bother and so I was hoping this would help him be less scared. I have tempt him in the Snuggle Sack Express. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes of me trying to coax him in. He needs to get used to being handled in case he needs medication and/or eyedrops. When I get him in the Snuggle Sack Express, I take him to the cuddle chair, take him out, leave the Snuggle Sack Express open on my lap for him to go into when he's had enough of being handled which can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes he always gets Coriander after cuddle time which he inhales then he goes in the run for the day with Misty and Bramble which he loves. My OH discovered him having the zoomies the other day.

I treat him with kindness and respect, as I do with all my piggies, but he's still a scared little piggy when it comes to being handled. I adopted Saxon just over 9 months ago at the end of October last year.

I’m sure your devotion, love and dedication will win him over in the end ….it might just take a bit of time
Hopefully he’ll be learning from Misty and Bramble

 

[exia]

I've come to the conclusion that Saxon, at some point in his young life before being surrendered to the Rescue, was rough handled by previous owners. He's such a friendly little chap and is fine out in the open in the run and has taught Misty and Bramble it's safe too and they don't run for cover any more. He is always on the hunt for food and will willingly take food from anybody and will say hello to anyone too.

Saxon does not like being picked up or handled in any way. In the evenings when I put him back in the hutch, he will willingly go in the Snuggle Sack Express because he knows he's going straight back in the hutch for veggie dindins and is always the first to go in. However, in the mornings, it's a totally different matter. He sees Misty and Bramble being picked up without a bother and so I was hoping this would help him be less scared. I have tempt him in the Snuggle Sack Express. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes of me trying to coax him in. He needs to get used to being handled in case he needs medication and/or eyedrops. When I get him in the Snuggle Sack Express, I take him to the cuddle chair, take him out, leave the Snuggle Sack Express open on my lap for him to go into when he's had enough of being handled which can be anything from 30 seconds to 2 minutes he always gets Coriander after cuddle time which he inhales then he goes in the run for the day with Misty and Bramble which he loves. My OH discovered him having the zoomies the other day.

I treat him with kindness and respect, as I do with all my piggies, but he's still a scared little piggy when it comes to being handled. I adopted Saxon just over 9 months ago at the end of October last year.

When I took home Pikachu, Joe and Bob I treated them just the same way. They we're all babies - Joe 6 weeks, Pikachu and Bob 5 weeks. It took Pikachu just a few days to understand the secret behind being cute and beg, be social and take food from your hand. He was crawling around on me, lying down on me and loved attention.
Joe and Bob took TIME! Especially Bob. He did not liked to be handled at all. He really enjoyed the cuddle box, to cuddle with Joe and have some treats from the Scary hooman. But it took like a year for him to relax and enjoy me petting him. It took them both a very much longer time than Pika to start begging for food and not run and hide when we got close with the food. When they had floortime I always say with them for a long time and talked, and ofc the cuddle box was the two magic things I think.

Djingis the Wild was not used to being handled at all I think and I did not count him to ever be a cuddly boy. Matter of fact I was thinking of him as a little comedian, just a fun chaos to watch and play with. I guess I can thank critical care, syringe and Kongo it only took a month or two for him to see me as a friend and to cuddle. Not for very long, he was so very hyper, but he could still jump around between my chest and the cuddle box for about 30 minutes and fall asleep for a few minutes under my chin. He felt very safe under my chin, and thats where he went to the bridge. I held him, Joe and Chip from the first shot til' the last breath. I only had four months with Djingis so it felt very special to have that bond with him.

Sorry for the derail () but if Djingis Tornado Kahn could be tamed Saxon can! Keep on with the coriander and the patience!