Handeling piggies problem

[i_am_tre]

Hello everyone, I hope I have posted this in the proper section, I was torn between posting it in care and posting it here.

I have had two young guineas now for a week or so, they're only babies, about 9 weeks or so.

I left them to settle in initially for the 48 hours then I began to feed them from my hand and talk to them etc etc. I then picked up the one and shes fine, she will sit there and have a right good fuss, she's not bothered at all. But the second one I have, as soon as I pick her up and place her against my chest, she scampers staight up onto my shoulder and hides in my hair.
Short of putting my hair up I'm none plussed.

Would someone like to give me some tips on how I can stop this?

Thank you very much.

 

[Toffeewoffee]

Alot of piggies prefer to sit on shoulders, one of mine is like this and doesn't care that she is clawing through to the flesh to get there.

Have you tried having them both out together and giving them veggies treats while they are out? You sound like everything has been done properly, its now a case of daily handling, talking and petting and bribery treats until they have gained trust in you, some piggies take a long time others don't. You just need patience and take it at their pace.

Good luck, stick at it, it will be worth it in the end. xx

 

[sport_billy]

Hi, Welcome to the forum.

It can take quite some time for piggies to trust us. One of our girls still hates been handled and picked up. But is fine when once on lap. We collect 2 of our girls by herding them into a cardboard 'chube' [ame="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Giant-Chube-Guinea-Rabbit-Chinchilla/dp/B0037XQ31C/ref=pd_sim_sbs_kh_33"]Giant Chube Play Toy Guinea Pig, Rabbit, Rat Chinchilla: Amazon.co.uk: Kitchen & Home[/ame] then pop them onto our laps...

Once you have collected your piggie hold them gently on your lap, making sure they can't dart off, (we used do this while sitting on the floor - so if the piggle runs off suddenly, they are not going to fall onto the floor), do it for a short amount of time and gradually build it up as your piggies feels safer and more comfortable. The less stress the piggie feels the more comfortable they will get.
Giving them some tasty veg during laptime will also help gain trust.

More tips on piggie handling can be found at
http://jackiesguineapiggies.com/handlingyourpiggy.html

Hope this helps

 

[i_am_tre]

thank you very much to both of you for your tips

I shall definitely have a look at that website. I know its going to take time and I'm definitely up for it but I was just wondering if there was anything to stop it now so that it didnt become 'normal'