Bonding

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Leanne

Junior Guinea Pig
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I adopted two 8 month old girls recently who are coming on brilliantly. The only problem is that they dont seem to have been handled much and get really stressed if i lift them or touch them.

They eat out of my hand now but still wont allow me to stroke them without hiding and if i need to lift them (to clean out their cage etc) they squeal their heads off.

I know i should be trying to handle them more to get them use to me but i feel like i am just stressing them out. One of the girl's sits still once she has been taken out but looks terrified and the other (the braver one of the two) squeals until i put her down or tries to wriggle free. I've tried the box method already and they just hide.

Should i pursue with trying to handle them or should i take the hint and leave them alone? I've had Victor since he was a baby so he is use to being handled but the girls came from a house with a dog so they are really nervous.
 
I would persevere, I know you feel mean to stress them but they will eventually learn that you aren't going to do them any harm.

Do you cuddle them together? They will take a lot of comfort from being together if you don't do this already.
 
Keep going. They will get there. I would suggest spending time sitting next to the cage and doing something else, like reading or watching tv. You will be very close to them but nothing is happening. They will quickly learn that you being around doesn't always mean something scary is going to happen.
Try using a cosy for lap time (or make a pocket with a fleece or towel). The piggies can sit in the cosy on your lap and you can stroke them and talk to them without them feeling like they are being held. They will also feel as if they are hidden so relax much quicker.
If you have the chance to give them floor time, then lie on the floor with them. Piggies are naturally curious and want to explore. My pigs will come up to my face and run piggy trains around me (they still run away from me in the cage if I want to pick them up but I'm much less threatening when I'm on their level).
Btw I've had my 2 oldest girls for a year and a half, and Flumpet still screams whenever I pick her up or pretty much do anything to her (nails, ears, etc). She's not distressed- she just likes to tell me about it! :(|)

Flumpet in a cozy
Iseeparsley.jpg
 
Keep going. Try cuddling them under a blanket where they feel more protected. Give them lots of praise and a little treat afterwards.

Most new owners underestimate the time it takes to bring round skittish piggies that haven't had much human contact before.
 
Thanks for the advice. I had them out last night and although they dont like being handled, they did have a good nosey at me sitting on the floor. :)
 
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