HELP bond in trouble

LucyB1234

LucyB1234

Junior Guinea Pig
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Me again! I have posted a few threads regarding Ralph and his new mate Patch who he was bonded to at our local rescue centre. They came home a few weeks ago and i was told by the rescue centre they had a very successful bond with no aggression shown. Since being home and thanks to my guinea cam, I have seen a lot of fighting between the two. I initially put it down to dominance tussles but, it is still ongoing and frequently happening at least once a night (and thats only what my camera picks up). I contacted the rescue about separating them and returning Patch but they've only suggested I remove the hides from the cage. I'm at a loss as to what to do as I personally think the fighting is getting worse and I'm anxious about their safety. I don't have the means to keep them separately and I don't want to be left with two lone guinea pigs. I entered into the boar dating in order to find Ralph a friend so that he wouldn't be so sad, now I feel even worse! I will include a link to my YouTube channel where I have clips of their behaviour. Please tell me what I should do!
 
LucyB1234 said:
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Hi!

I would strongly recommend a two day separation with a divider in the cage and then a re-intro on neutral ground. That will tell you whether the bond is still functional or not.

Can you keep them as next door neighbours with a divider and give them each a hayloft for more space? C&C cages are thankfully more adaptable - you can extend upwards as well as sideways.

But the flying tackles point towards well established problems - they are a very strongly worded 'stay away from me' - it is not actually fighting but more in the way of shoving the other out of the way before storming out of the room - only that your boys haven't got the space to storm out.
They don't look like they are going to end up in a fighting ball anytime soon as the companion is not overreacting, but your overreacting boy is definitely feeling under considerable pressure and not happy with this companion.

Please follow the advice re. trial separation, working out from the reactions whether one party is suddenly much happier when they are away from the mate and any possible grudges that will show up very quickly during a re-intro (oven gloves at the ready).
This guide explains it all in detail step by step; the method for working out a relationship is the same for any bond irrespective of gender and age: Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Well done. You to a certain degree lucky to catch this before too much damage has been done
Sorry but this is aggressive and well donr for think ing of the piggies 1st
 
LucyB1234 said:
How does this look for a separation?
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Good idea!

Could you tie the divider about halfway through the middle grid to create two similar sized pens?
I use two cable ties for the back of the dividing grids and then just tie the divider in with the string twice at the front, so it is a lot easier to clean; this way you can place the divider along the back in case your boys decide to get on...
 
Wiebke said:
Good idea!

Could you tie the divider about halfway through the middle grid to create two similar sized pens?
I use two cable ties for the back of the dividing grids and then just tie the divider in with the string twice at the front, so it is a lot easier to clean; this way you can place the divider along the back in case your boys decide to get on...
Click to expand...

Thank you, didn't occur to me! What a numpty, I've ammended it now :)
 

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Watching on guinea cam, the boys seem stressed they're not together. They've been talking through the bars looking so confused and both trying to chew the bars separating them. I'm hoping their time apart may make them realise they want to be together?!
 
LucyB1234 said:
Watching on guinea cam, the boys seem stressed they're not together. They've been talking through the bars looking so confused and both trying to chew the bars separating them. I'm hoping their time apart may make them realise they want to be together?!
Click to expand...

Give them a couple of days and then stage an intro away from the cage on neutral ground. That gives tempers time to settle down and gives the boys time to work out their priorities. ;)

Here are our bonding tips. Please follow them. Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics

In the best case scenario the boys will get together again like nothing has happened with minimal dominance (and they can therefore move back together as they want to stay together and will be careful to not cross the line again); in the worst case they will get into another major argument rather quickly (which means that they cannot solve their problems).
Since we cannot ask our piggies directly how they are feeling about each other, this is the best way to get their honest opinion and be able to work out the best way forward on that basis. ;)
 
I am now in the process of re bonding them, I've had them in my bathroom (only place I could think of) for the past half hour and it has taken them time to do anything as they're both a bit worried by the new environment. Things looked promising first as they huddled up together and purred a greeting but they have since had a few mounting moments and then this...
 
Well they have had a fight so I have separated and sending Patch back to the rescue tomorrow. I GIVE UP!
 
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