handling ** piggie....

[clarey]

Now this is a bit of a **** for me. Delilah HATES being handled....an as soon as she knows ** going to try an runs. She will quite happily sit by * an squeak an stroke her if i apprach slowly but if i attempt to pick her up its VERY difficult.

Can anyone advise me?

Only reason bein i kno at one point I'm goin to have to cut her nails but the way she is right now it would be impossible.

We have tried with food but she literally drags the food out of our hands with some force. shes quite strong for a little one.

Anyways....any help would be appreciated.

Weve had her 4 weeks on the 4th an iv only picked her up 3 times.

My boyfriend says its impossible it bein one person *** shes so fast x

 

[piggyfan]

All guinea pigs will run when you go to pick them up. Mine do and I have had one for four years! Some people believe that encouraging them into a tunnel or cosy makes it easier to pick them up. I just try and coach them into the corner or a house myself. I find that piggies never like to be picked up but can learn to enjoy being held and having cuddle time.

 

[Lone-Star 57]

Like piggyfan said all Guinea pigs will run when being caught to be handled this is because of they are prey animals. So being chased causes them to flee from potential danger. But once out they will eventually enjoy your company so it is not at all you. So don't take it personal, okay.

 

[clarey]

Oh i feel better now atleasr i know its not just me

 

[torieraa]

She will get used to it and be easier to pick up the longer you have her. My 4 year old boar does not try to run away at all when I pick him up, he even sucks in his tummy to make it easier for me to put my hand under him.

My 2 new boars however run for the hills when I pick them up. I'm sure over time they will get more used to it as will Delilah.

If you have something that you can pop in the cage to confine her to one area when you want to get her out that will help.

 

[Pepperdog]

I find it easier to use a bed or tunnel to catch them in, thankfully my squbes are perfect for such a thing, often as they are inside it already so I have got to chase them into one

I have one girl that hates being handled and will make as much fuss as possible but will happily take food from my hand, most tolerate their claws being done but it has to be done so just take things steady and dont try to rush the process, even if you end up doing one claw at a time and shove veg in their mouths as a bribe to get them to sit happily still while you continue with the next one.

 

[Sarah-sore]

My guinea pigs hate being picked up they just hate it. As pepper dog said, food bribery almost always works for me. Ive even taught my girls how to stand on their hind legs to reach for the food so its easier.
Clipping the nails is a hassle I always have to have someone there holding the guinea pig down while I clip their nails.

 

[Lilly]

I gave up trying to pick up my boys with my hands. And putting them back in the cage was even worse because no matter which way I did it they would try to take flying leaps out of my hands. Even the putting them down backwards didn't prevent them from trying to jump out frontwards as they felt themselves being lowered. For their safety I eventually trained them to get into their cosy cups both for the pickup and return journey. Still, 2 years later it can be a trial getting them to get into the cosy cup to get out of the cage, but they happily hop in when they know they are going back home.