Dominance Help Please

[Ellie-May]

Hi everyone,

I feel like I have posted so much in this forum and I have only had my guinea pigs for two days. Overall, all is well and going smooth. A few minor hiccups have happened where Ernie (the dominant guinea pig) seems to be showing his dominance to Bert (the more shy one) and I can see Bert basically telling him I am not a threat. I did read the guide to the behavior and I am aware of this. I have a two-tier cage and I was wondering if it is too soon to separate? or maybe put one up one bottom, but still, keep the ladder? My family keeps telling me that I am worrying (and I probably am), but I just don't want to witness something bad happen. No blood, biting etc has happened I just think it is the case that Ernie is more dominant. Anyone with two boars wanna give me some tips and tricks? I have two of everything and they are getting more confident with their surroundings, but I just don't want to take them out yet properly

 

[Piggies&buns]

Do not separate. It doesn’t sound like anything concerning has happened. They have to go through this for the next couple of weeks to establish their relationship and then this kind of dominance behaviour mounting, rumbling, chasing will continue for the next year or so while they are teenagers. Even now at 18 and 19 months old my two boys still do it. It can be scary to see but unless there is a full on blood drawing major fight, then don’t do anything, definitely don’t separate. Interrupting their relationship at this point can make things worse and they may not want to go back together

 

[Ellie-May]

Do not separate. It doesn’t sound like anything concerning has happened. They have to go through this for the next couple of weeks to establish their relationship and then this kind of dominance behaviour mounting, rumbling, chasing will continue for the next year or so while they are teenagers. Even now at 18 and 19 months old my two boys still do it. It can be scary to see but unless there is a full on blood drawing major fight, then don’t do anything, definitely don’t separate. Interrupting their relationship at this point can make things worse.

Separating would only happen if one was severely injured. It is scary because I know that one of them is much more passive. Over the next week, I think I will set up the play-pen as they are getting more confident, coming up to the cage etc as I feel this will help them. Plus, I would like them in the play-pen for majority of the day anyway

 

[Wiebke]

Hi everyone,

I feel like I have posted so much in this forum and I have only had my guinea pigs for two days. Overall, all is well and going smooth. A few minor hiccups have happened where Ernie (the dominant guinea pig) seems to be showing his dominance to Bert (the more shy one) and I can see Bert basically telling him I am not a threat. I did read the guide to the behavior and I am aware of this. I have a two-tier cage and I was wondering if it is too soon to separate? or maybe put one up one bottom, but still, keep the ladder? My family keeps telling me that I am worrying (and I probably am), but I just don't want to witness something bad happen. No blood, biting etc has happened I just think it is the case that Ernie is more dominant. Anyone with two boars wanna give me some tips and tricks? I have two of everything and they are getting more confident with their surroundings, but I just don't want to take them out yet properly

Hi!

Your boys are currently establishing their group in new territory; that means that there has to be a leader and an underpiggy.

There is no reason to worry whatsoever. Please take a deep breath and take a step back to allow your boys to do their own stuff and get on with it.

You will find this illustrated guide here helpful as it also covers the dominance phase, which your boys are currently groing through.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

Believe me, you cannot miss it when things get really serious; the level of intensity is totally different.

 

[Ellie-May]

Thank you for your reassurance! The thought of having to separate them would really upset me, but fingers crossed they make a great pair!

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you for your reassurance! The thought of having to separate them would really upset me, but fingers crossed they make a great pair!

Separating bonding piggies is even more disruptive for them; especially boars and will lead to even stronger dominance as soon as you put them back together.

 

[Ellie-May]

Separating bonding piggies is even more disruptive for them; especially boars and will lead to even stronger dominance as soon as you put them back together.

Yes I agree. Overall they are good together so hopefully all will be well!