Frustration!

[Pandapudge]

Now don't get me wrong. I love my girls. However, I'm having SUCH a hard time being a good, patient guinea slave A little while back I had posted about being happy with their slow but measurably growing comfort and courageousness. But now? They have gone back to hiding constantly. The purring/growling sound they make has intensified to something that sounds most like rumblestrutting. Instead of using their toilet area, they have decided to start going everywhere besides that despite having used it properly in the past. (it is cleaned out regularly) I just hope this another phase hoop to get through because I really do love these little girls dearly. I don't want to be frustrated with them! I only want to make it better but I just don't know how to help or if there's anything I can do at all.

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

I was exactly the same with my piggies, just take a deep breath and remember that they go at their own pace!

How old are they? Also, how big is their cage and how many hideys have they got? Do you handle them regularly?
Sorry for the questions, just wanna get some more understanding to see if I can help with advice

 

[VickiA]

Don't give up. Just be patient and persistent. It can sometimes feel like two steps forward and one backwards.

It sounds as though they are sorting out their hierarchy and dominance. Sows rumble when one comes into season so this is not uncommon or infrequent! Have you read our threads in the behaviour and bonding section about sows? Sow Behaviour

I've never managed to litter train any of my piggies, and I think it's rare if it can be achieved, so don't let that worry you. It's normal that they pee and poo everywhere!

Don't give up on handling them. Mine still leg it when it comes to being picked up but once caught they enjoy a cuddle for a short time. One of my past sows screamed blue murder as well as running away. You'd have thought she was being abused. Once I realised that was just her way we had a good relationship and she would sit for 10-15 minutes on my lap,quite happily being petted, but that running, screaming and hiding behaviour never left her (and I had her for over 5 years). Piggies are naturally prey animals.