Boars falling out

[CTWC]

Never a need to apologise that's what everyone is here for

 

[CTWC]

I think we all sympathise with the stress you are feeling and as you say it's more intense when you desperately want it to work sorry I'm not much help

 

[meepfish66]

Thank you @CTWC and I appreciate the support network this forum gives

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all, sorry to keep messaging. We're a little nervous and stressed, I think partly because of the experience between Chocolate and Tony's bond breaking so early on. Chocolate is definitely trying to prove he's boss, he's mounting Day's rear, he's stolen greens out of Day's mouth, there's been a few periods of intense teeth chattering, then there's periods of calm where they both do their own thing, and then there's periods where Chocolate chases Day or goes into his box and rumblestrutts. We've got a 7x2 ferplast, 3 boxes with 4 exits cut into them, 2 bowls, 2 water bottles, plenty of hay piles, floor time for them both which Day has been starting to come out for too. We've seen both of them eat hay, pellets and drink from the bottle. We hide greens for them to find but always hand feed a bit first and make sure Chocolate gets the first one in deference for him being boss. It just feels stressful when they're displaying the dominance, we really want it to work out for them

Hi

Please accept that your boys are fully into their territorial group establishment, which takes about two weeks. Milder dominance behaviours are essential.

It looks like both are non-aggressive but slightly insecure personalities if it doesn't go past teeth chattering to show where boundaries are and the other side not happy at being told that - but then not pushing the issue; which it is the crucial point.
Just make sure that there are no dead corners or hideys with just one exit where Day could get locked into.

It is tough to watch when you have anxiety and bad experiences but try to be strong and sit it out. Things should calm down gradually over the coming days if the bond is working.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

 

[meepfish66]

Hi

Please accept that your boys are fully into their territorial group establishment, which takes about two weeks. Milder dominance behaviours are essential.

It looks like both are non-aggressive but slightly insecure personalities if it doesn't go past teeth chattering to show where boundaries are and the other side not happy at being told that - but then not pushing the issue; which it is the crucial point.
Just make sure that there are no dead corners or hideys with just one exit where Day could get locked into.

It is tough to watch when you have anxiety and bad experiences but try to be strong and sit it out. Things should calm down gradually over the coming days if the bond is working.

Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs

Reacting to group or territorial changes: Dominance and group establishment/re-establishment

Thank you so much

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you so much

Please let us know how the boys are settling.

 

[fluffysal]

Hold your nerve, what seems dramatic to us is normal to them. I have a 4ish year old with a teenager who's testing his boundaries at the moment. I'm trying to ignore the rumbles, squeals and nose punching, instead looking at the playing and popcorning.
Easier said than done, I know!
Hoping it works out for your gorgeous boys.

 

[piggieminder]

I'm not sure if I read this right but are you giving them floor time? If you are I would consider not doing that until they are getting on better. Any change in environment will cause another round of dominance, even a complete change of bedding in the cage can do this. Every time the environment changes they will go back several if not all steps in sorting their relationship out.
Good luck, I really hope your boys will settle. I have a will they won't they stay together pair here at the moment, it certainly strains the nerves!