Pearl and Zip
Teenage Guinea Pig
Codey allows us to pet her, but if we do something she doesn’t like (even just putting our hands out) she bites hard and draws blood. How do we stop this behavior?
Biting
- Thread starter Pearl and Zip
- Start date
dannif_piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs rarely "just bite" they aren't aggressive animals, and normally, biting would come from mistaking your finger/hand from food. However it may be being caused out of fear. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and their only defence would be to bite. To eliminate if Codey thinks your hand is food, ensure you wash your hands prior to going to handle/stroke her, this will reduce confusion on her part. And if you're still having problems, it's likely the fear aspect... teach Codey to associate your hand as it not being a threat, never rush to pick her up, place your hand where she can see it, and let her come and sniff your hand etc. Basically gain her trust. (Using larger pieces of veggies that can be safefly fed by finger tips would probably help, as she would associate your hand with food that way without thinking your hand is actually the food 
Can I ask, has Codey has a bad past experience? Was she a rescue piggy? Or been handled aggresively, maybe by a young child? This could potentially have disearned her trust of "hands" so it may take a bit longer for her to get the trust back...
I hope this is some use to you
Can I ask, has Codey has a bad past experience? Was she a rescue piggy? Or been handled aggresively, maybe by a young child? This could potentially have disearned her trust of "hands" so it may take a bit longer for her to get the trust back...
I hope this is some use to you
Hi! Please read this guide here and follow the tips for piggy whispering. " Biting" And What You Can Do
Respect her private sphere and her saying no and don't push her. You will get there sooner and further if you respect any strong feelings on any given subject. Some piggies have had bad experienced when being handled. It takes time and patience to work past that. some piggies will never enjoy being petted and handled, but most will come to tolerate any necessary grooming and a little affection, especially if you say it in piggy body language and not in human language.
Pearl and Zip
Teenage Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs rarely "just bite" they aren't aggressive animals, and normally, biting would come from mistaking your finger/hand from food. However it may be being caused out of fear. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and their only defence would be to bite. To eliminate if Codey thinks your hand is food, ensure you wash your hands prior to going to handle/stroke her, this will reduce confusion on her part. And if you're still having problems, it's likely the fear aspect... teach Codey to associate your hand as it not being a threat, never rush to pick her up, place your hand where she can see it, and let her come and sniff your hand etc. Basically gain her trust. (Using larger pieces of veggies that can be safefly fed by finger tips would probably help, as she would associate your hand with food that way without thinking your hand is actually the food
Can I ask, has Codey has a bad past experience? Was she a rescue piggy? Or been handled aggresively, maybe by a young child? This could potentially have disearned her trust of "hands" so it may take a bit longer for her to get the trust back...
I hope this is some use to you
She was previously owned by a fourth grader who changed her mind and wanted a bird instead.
dannif_piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
Oh bless
This is probably the reason she bites. God knows how she was handled... just work with her, gain her trust, and possibly, due to the trauma she will never be completely happy for lap time etc, but it would be great if you could get her to a point that allowed you to do health checks more easily 
Pearl and Zip
Teenage Guinea Pig
I’m a little worried now... Codey is now nipping at Zip. And chasing her. Zip really doesn’t like it and can’t lay down without being chased. Should I wait, or look around for a different companion?
dannif_piggies
Adult Guinea Pig
Usually we suggest not to seperate a pair unless blood is drawn, it may look like nipping when in fact it's not actually making contact with the skin. This kind of behaviour is they two of them trying to figure out the dominant piggy and is totally normal behaviour. Just ensure you have two of everything... two hides (at least) two water bottles, and two food bowls, this will reduce the risk of zip being segregated from his food and water. Hope this helps
Pearl and Zip
Teenage Guinea Pig
We did separate them now because Codey was pulling out Zip’s fur when nipping. Zips skin became irritated and red, and began losing hair because of this.Usually we suggest not to seperate a pair unless blood is drawn, it may look like nipping when in fact it's not actually making contact with the skin. This kind of behaviour is they two of them trying to figure out the dominant piggy and is totally normal behaviour. Just ensure you have two of everything... two hides (at least) two water bottles, and two food bowls, this will reduce the risk of zip being segregated from his food and water. Hope this helps
We did have two of everything.