Bonding with my pigs

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Akiah

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Hi guys!

I've only just signed up as I have a few questions regarding my guinea pigs.

I got 2 guinea pigs in January (Coco & Polo) who I adore. I recently purchased a 2x6 c&c cage for them as this was the most recommended cage. I give them fresh hay every day, fresh veggies everyday, I let them out everyday to run around, I think I'm ticking all the right boxes however, they just do not seem to take to me very well. Trying to handle them is a nightmare, it takes a good 10 minutes to get them out, I entise them with veggies but as soon as I go to pick them up they run in their beds. Then, once I do finally get them out they just freeze and don't do anything. Only Coco will take the veggies from me and Polo will stay still and squeak. I've YouTube'd what their sounds mean, and they 99% of the time squeak which sounds like a scared squeak.

Only Coco will sometimes allow me to pet him and will fall asleep on me but that's very rare.

Has anyone got any tips for me at all as I would love to bond with them more but sometimes it's so hard to actually get them out.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks guys:)
 

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I like to sit or lie down in the floortime run with them and read a magazine or book. I just let them potter away round about me and they can come up to me if they want and get petted if they want. Sometimes they will climb on my legs and stuff. Or chew my clothes/book/magazine haha. I wouldn’t worry too much though, sometimes it’s just their personality to be afraid. One of mine is very friendly and loves to be petted and given attention but the other is very shy and always runs away when you walk near the cage. I have had them for a year and a half and have done the same things with both of them so I guess it’s just their personalities. Good luck :)
 
As if to make the point, my piggies who have known me for a year and a half or more, and know I adore them, just bolted to the back of the hutch when I went to say hello.
 
It takes time, gentleness and patience.
Most piggies don’t like being picked up - their instincts tell them it’s because they’re about to be lunch!
I talk to mine constantly and like @helloitsbecca I let mine come out to roam on their own, sit with them and let them decide whether to approach or not.
After nearly 3 years my two youngest will approach, grab food if I have something nice in a bowl on my lap.
Jemimah dives for cover if I attempt to pet her, Keziah will sit beside me to be stroked for a few seconds.
I get headbutted by her if I fail.

You simply have to deal with your piggies’ own personalities.
 
Pigwhisperer said:
As if to make the point, my piggies who have known me for a year and a half or more, and know I adore them, just bolted to the back of the hutch when I went to say hello.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I'll have a read of that now :)

Haha yes, when I walk past the cage, Coco doesn't really move he carries on eating his hay or doing whatever he's doing, however Polo always at the slightest noise/movement runs straight into his bed.

At the moment their cage is currently on the floor in the living room and I'm wanting to get it put on a table of some sort, just need to find a side desk/table that will fit a 2x6 C&C.
 
Akiah said:
Hi guys!

I've only just signed up as I have a few questions regarding my guinea pigs.

I got 2 guinea pigs in January (Coco & Polo) who I adore. I recently purchased a 2x6 c&c cage for them as this was the most recommended cage. I give them fresh hay every day, fresh veggies everyday, I let them out everyday to run around, I think I'm ticking all the right boxes however, they just do not seem to take to me very well. Trying to handle them is a nightmare, it takes a good 10 minutes to get them out, I entise them with veggies but as soon as I go to pick them up they run in their beds. Then, once I do finally get them out they just freeze and don't do anything. Only Coco will take the veggies from me and Polo will stay still and squeak. I've YouTube'd what their sounds mean, and they 99% of the time squeak which sounds like a scared squeak.

Only Coco will sometimes allow me to pet him and will fall asleep on me but that's very rare.

Has anyone got any tips for me at all as I would love to bond with them more but sometimes it's so hard to actually get them out.

Any help is appreciated!

Thanks guys:)
Click to expand...

Hi and welcome

Guinea pigs are prey animals. Try to work around triggering their instincts and use piggy whispering and their favourite foods to train them. Patience and persistence will get you there, but please respect that by far not all piggies like being handled or picked up. You can still build up a happy interactive relationship without cuddling.

You will find these guides here helpful; there is a whole section dedicated just to making friends and handling piggies safely with lots of tips as well as guides on understanding their social behaviours: Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
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