Handling My Piggies

2PigsAndMe

2PigsAndMe

New Born Pup
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Hi everyone!

I've got two boars, that I've had a for a few months. They are 1 and 2 years old, I rehomed them. They are long haired, and very lovely!

They have settled well, although I did need to separate them. And they are next to each other so are chatting through the grids.

They are happy to take food from me, and if I approach with a pointy finger they stand still so I can stroke their noses and tickle their ears. If I try to pick them up, they run like the wind!

I've mostly just not picked them up, and have been letting them get used to me. But as they need grooming and their nails cut, I want to be able to handle them. Yesterday and today I've picked them up, and managed to cut a few nails each time. They were very overgrown when they came to me already.

How often should I handle them, and for how long, to get them more used to me? I feel bad for having to "chase" them to pick them up. I block off the loft area, when they go up and pick them up from there.

Thanks!
 
Your boys sound lovely 😊 I have two boars as well, though not long haired

A lot of people on here advise to herd them into a carrier and then pick that up, rather than picking them up directly, as it can help them feel more secure. You can also wrap them in a towel or a snugglesafe while they’re getting used to being held, if they’re wriggly or uncomfortable. It’s important to get them out for grooming even before they totally trust you, as I’m sure you know - my newest piggie doesn’t like being picked up at all yet, though he’s getting more comfortable the more he’s out for our weekly weigh and health check

If yours are hand feeding and accepting in-cage strokes then they must have really bonded with you! My older boy still doesn’t like being touched in the cage, though he’s perfectly happy being handled out of it now

More experienced people may have better advice for you as well. I’d love to see pictures if you have any 😍
 
I only handle mine for the weekly weight checks, health checks and nail clipping. They tolerate it but don’t like it and never will - one of them is almost 7 years old and the others are just over 2 years old - I do not handle them just for cuddles as they don’t like it

Definitely don’t chase them. Being picked up by bare hands is akin to being eaten so it’s not something they’re going to enjoy!
As above, herd into a carrier and then pick them up from there as it makes the whole process less stressful for them.

sport_billy

Thread 'How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)'

1 Picking up your guinea pigs without chasing or touching (video and pictures)
2 Weighing (video and pictures)


1 Picking up your guinea pigs without chasing or touching

This video shows you what you can train your guinea pig to do for a stress-free pick up.


Alternatively, you can use a small walk-in cardboard box for pick-up and transport. Please make sure that you cover the opening with your hand! If necessary, please cut finger holes into the cardboard box and face the opening...
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JaseChase said:
Your boys sound lovely 😊 I have two boars as well, though not long haired

A lot of people on here advise to herd them into a carrier and then pick that up, rather than picking them up directly, as it can help them feel more secure. You can also wrap them in a towel or a snugglesafe while they’re getting used to being held, if they’re wriggly or uncomfortable. It’s important to get them out for grooming even before they totally trust you, as I’m sure you know - my newest piggie doesn’t like being picked up at all yet, though he’s getting more comfortable the more he’s out for our weekly weigh and health check

If yours are hand feeding and accepting in-cage strokes then they must have really bonded with you! My older boy still doesn’t like being touched in the cage, though he’s perfectly happy being handled out of it now

More experienced people may have better advice for you as well. I’d love to see pictures if you have any 😍
Click to expand...
Thanks! I was picking them up in their tubes- but they've got wise to that. If my hands are in the cage, they won't go into the tube!

I got the soft caves, and they've realised the same. They are clever, and good at evading me! I'll keep trying the tubes, and see how we go!

I wrap them up in a fleece when they are out, so they feel safe and not so exposed. I'll keep at it and hopefully they will get more used to me.
 
Piggies&buns said:
I only handle mine for the weekly weight checks, health checks and nail clipping. They tolerate it but don’t like it and never will - one of them is almost 7 years old and the others are just over 2 years old - I do not handle them just for cuddles as they.

Definitely don’t chase them. Being picked up by bare hands is akin to being eaten so it’s not something they’re going to enjoy!
As above, herd into a carrier and then pick them up from there as it makes the whole process less stressful for them.

sport_billy

Thread 'How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pigs Safely (videos)'

1 Picking up your guinea pigs without chasing or touching (video and pictures)
2 Weighing (video and pictures)


1 Picking up your guinea pigs without chasing or touching

This video shows you what you can train your guinea pig to do for a stress-free pick up.


Alternatively, you can use a small walk-in cardboard box for pick-up and transport. Please make sure that you cover the opening with your hand! If necessary, please cut finger holes into the cardboard box and face the opening...
  • Like
  • Excellent
  • Love
Click to expand...
Thank you! The video is great, will try aga8n with that method. I was doing that, until they got clever!

They seem to be settled when out, especially the one in my profile pic. He comes to see me, and let's me tickle him! He calmed in my lap, so I could trim his nails yesterday. I felt his heart beat slowing as he relaxed against me.
 
Honestly they sound quite relaxed with you already! I believe the picking up cuts really close to their prey drive so it’s something they never really enjoy. As long as they’re settled enough for grooming and health checks once they’re out that’s the best you can ask for

My older piggie now knows that the pouch means coming out of the cage, and he walks straight in with minimal fuss. My new piggie is currently in the wise phase like yours where he sees it coming and flees 😂 I usually scoop him up in one of his beds at the moment, but I think he might adjust with time. Tunnels can be tricky with the easy exit!

You sound like you have a good bond with them 😊
 
I have one boy who from a very young age has always been happy to be picked up. The other makes it as difficult as possible but as soon as you have him, he snuggles and licks us. I think it's somewhat down to personality as they are all so different.
 
Hello …..Piggies&buns is right some piggies never like it ….my Geoff is nearly 5 and will come out when I say his name ( as he knows it’s food ) and will take food from me - he doesn’t like being held and freezes - he lets me do his health check , trim his nails and now remove any impaction but I keep it to a minimum - Wiebke’s info on piggy whispering is worth reading
My other piggy Freddy is a wriggler and would jump out of my arms - I herd him into a tunnel but he’s getting wise to that - I wrap him in a little towel - he’s only been with me for 2 wks so he is still settling in - unfortunately I have to take him out for medicine 2x daily - hopefully he’ll settle ….
It’s very difficult id go with how your piggy responds - good luck
 
Mine won't even let us stroke them, let alone handle. But we have had them for five years now, and they aren't scared to walk around where our feet are, and give anything a shove if it is in their way, hoomans included. When we pick them up for nail cutting, weighing, transporting, and vet visits we first give them the option to walk in (they did when they knew it meant getting carried to their outdoor hutch and back again) but usually they won't, so we wait to corner them, and then tap their bottom so that they go in (they hate having their bottoms touched). Sometimes there are protests but it does allow for a little cuddle as they peek out and look around. They don't shriek their heads off as if they're being carried away by predators. If we are lucky, they may also run into a tunnel themselves - that just requires a speedy response on our behalf.
 
I love the idea of the tap on the bottom :)) . I'm reassured that it normal, and it's not that they don't love me!
 
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