Help with handling and trust

[jessicanevexo1]

Hello. I rescued two boars this summer, Theodore and Pierre, and am looking for some advice with regard to handling. It has been a very slow journey with these boys but here is some background:

-They are both approximately 2 years old (unfortunately no exact birth day)
-They were both show piggies (although they hate being handled by me)
-They are bonded, they are very friendly, vocal and curious
-They LOVE head and ear rubs
-They behave well at the vets (had to have matts shaved and go for regular nail trims)

My issue is, they do not like being handled so I try to avoid unless necessary. Unfortunately they are both long haired boys, and as much as I can quickly chop at their locks while they are eating, I need to be able to handle them to give health checks, weighing and a full, proper (dignified) hair cut! They are the sweetest boys, I think they are just enjoying their retirement from being handled and driven around the country attending shows constantly, that they want to keep their peace and quiet here without harassment!

Please, if anyone has any suggestions, I would really appreciate it! No matter how time consuming, I would love to be fully trusted by them.

(P.S, they are indoor piggies)

 

[Piggies&buns]

It’s quite normal for piggies to not like being handled, most don’t like it. The fact they let you touch them, presumably take food from your hand(?), then they do trust you.

Both of my boys (both 3 years old), hate being handled (although they have both come a very long way) and one of them is long haired. Weight checks arent too bad - they voluntarily go into their carrier (they’ve learnt that the carrier usually takes them out for playtime, so they are often most miffed when they end up not going for playtime and just end up on the scales!), I pick them up from the carrier and put them on the scales (in a bowl), weight done and release! The grooming of the long haired piggy and nail clips for both are just a case of little and often. Do as much as they tolerate and then try again the next day.

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

 

[jessicanevexo1]

It’s quite normal for piggies to not like being handled, most don’t like it. The fact they let you touch them, presumably take food from your hand(?), then they do trust you.

Both of my boys (both 3 years old), hate being handled (although they have both come a very long way) and one of them is long haired. Weight checks arent too bad - they voluntarily go into their carrier (they’ve learnt that the carrier usually takes them out for playtime, so they are often most miffed when they end up not going for playtime and just end up on the scales!), I pick them up from the carrier and put them on the scales (in a bowl), weight done and release! The grooming of the long haired piggy and nail clips for both are just a case of little and often. Do as much as they tolerate and then try again the next day.

How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
An Illustrated Guide to Hair Cutting

Thank you! I just worry that I could be doing more for them, but they have a great life and they are so content and happy just milling around everyday not having a care in the world! I am very lucky they love a fuss and yes they do take food out of my hand, they also are very cheeky and bite my t-shirt every time I poo pick! They have fleece bedding and love any material to nibble on! Unfortunately, I have just become engaged and Pierre has taken a liking to my ring! He is black and white though, so obviously is a reincarnated magpie . I've come to the conclusion that (luckily I can afford the vets) I will leave the nail trimming up to the vet and they can do health checks during the nail trim.

I will definitely try that weighing technique thank you! And yes, I chop a bit of hair every day when they are preoccupied, I was just worried not doing a full haircut was detrimental to their health; however they are 1)indoor piggies 2) have fleece bedding and 3) get fresh bedding every day so I guess the risk is lower.

 

[Free Ranger]

Hi and welcome! I've recently got my first long haired pig and she was also handed in by a lady who used to show, so I assumed she must quite like being brushed but no, she hates it and looks terrified when she feels the comb. The only thing I can think is that she was handled quite firmly to get her show-ready so it might not have been a good experience for her. It made me feel sad for her. One or two of my short-haired ones have previously quite enjoyed a comb but Louise doesn't have 'silky' hair so step 1 was to get hubs to hang on tight while she was scissored. Not her favourite 20 minutes but she was dead happy afterwards as suddenly she could both see and bounce about!
Before: After:

My big worry was shearing off any whiskers so I avoided her ginger face. I trimmed round the ears because I couldn't see any long hairs for 'eyebrows'
She actually took better to the haircut than the brush/comb because it pulled less, so I didn't feel too much of a monster. What has surprised me is how fast that hair has grown back. So we've invested in some pet hair clippers (for dogs I think) which were about £20 and are supposed to be quiet. When I'm feeling brave I'm going to get hubs to hang on and give them a go. I thought about little-and-often, but as long as she can cope I'd rather take it down to short and then not bother her for a while. I'll let you know how it goes!

She has to be picked up every night at the minute because her skin is sensitive and she has a bit of cream on her feet. She always looks scared at first. Sometimes she enjoys it (or fakes it well!) sometimes she would just rather I bogged off. I don't take her away from her enclosure or from her friend and we do everything at ground level with me sitting on the floor. I watch her eyes (but don't stare - it's predatory!) because you see the whites at first, but then she relaxes and I get on with what we need to do.

If you handle them regularly they do get used to it but they might not like it. My nervous boar George got used to my attentions when he was on his own at the end of last year. We started out by having our breakfast together each day - I sat on the floor by his cage. In the end he enjoyed a snooze in his snuggle-sack on my lap, but now he has a new friend Flora he is less keen to be taken away from her. He likes a fuzzle in his cage and will lift his chin for you to stroke underneath though! If he was still alone he'd be cool about being taken for 'lap time' but I reckon he just worries Flora will eat all his food and lay in his chosen spot.

I actually do the health checks on cage blitz day now because I set up a temporary run in the other room so everyone is on unfamiliar ground (bath towels!) anyway. Then I can sit in the run and do nails and weighing, then release the 'victim' while everyone watches. The idea is that at some point they'll realise that nobody gets eaten and relax a bit. We shall see. The advantage of indoor piggies is that they do get used to us giants just bumbling about!

Here's Flora... she's been here just over a month: Doesn't like being picked up - doesn't mind me bending down though

 

[jessicanevexo1]

Hi and welcome! I've recently got my first long haired pig and she was also handed in by a lady who used to show, so I assumed she must quite like being brushed but no, she hates it and looks terrified when she feels the comb. The only thing I can think is that she was handled quite firmly to get her show-ready so it might not have been a good experience for her. It made me feel sad for her. One or two of my short-haired ones have previously quite enjoyed a comb but Louise doesn't have 'silky' hair so step 1 was to get hubs to hang on tight while she was scissored. Not her favourite 20 minutes but she was dead happy afterwards as suddenly she could both see and bounce about!
Before: View attachment 169494 After: View attachment 169495

My big worry was shearing off any whiskers so I avoided her ginger face. I trimmed round the ears because I couldn't see any long hairs for 'eyebrows'
She actually took better to the haircut than the brush/comb because it pulled less, so I didn't feel too much of a monster. What has surprised me is how fast that hair has grown back. So we've invested in some pet hair clippers (for dogs I think) which were about £20 and are supposed to be quiet. When I'm feeling brave I'm going to get hubs to hang on and give them a go. I thought about little-and-often, but as long as she can cope I'd rather take it down to short and then not bother her for a while. I'll let you know how it goes!

She has to be picked up every night at the minute because her skin is sensitive and she has a bit of cream on her feet. She always looks scared at first. Sometimes she enjoys it (or fakes it well!) sometimes she would just rather I bogged off. I don't take her away from her enclosure or from her friend and we do everything at ground level with me sitting on the floor. I watch her eyes (but don't stare - it's predatory!) because you see the whites at first, but then she relaxes and I get on with what we need to do.

If you handle them regularly they do get used to it but they might not like it. My nervous boar George got used to my attentions when he was on his own at the end of last year. We started out by having our breakfast together each day - I sat on the floor by his cage. In the end he enjoyed a snooze in his snuggle-sack on my lap, but now he has a new friend Flora he is less keen to be taken away from her. He likes a fuzzle in his cage and will lift his chin for you to stroke underneath though! If he was still alone he'd be cool about being taken for 'lap time' but I reckon he just worries Flora will eat all his food and lay in his chosen spot.

I actually do the health checks on cage blitz day now because I set up a temporary run in the other room so everyone is on unfamiliar ground (bath towels!) anyway. Then I can sit in the run and do nails and weighing, then release the 'victim' while everyone watches. The idea is that at some point they'll realise that nobody gets eaten and relax a bit. We shall see. The advantage of indoor piggies is that they do get used to us giants just bumbling about!

Here's Flora... she's been here just over a month: View attachment 169496 Doesn't like being picked up - doesn't mind me bending down though

Hello! Yes, I assumed as mine were having weekly baths and daily grooming they would too be okay with the brush- but NOPE! They seem to be scared and most sensitive on the back and around their oil gland.. I managed to do half a haircut last night! Wow Louise's haircut is such a transformation! Such a pretty face! Flora is just the sweetest, look at her little paws on your feet! So cute.

Thanks for all the advice! I will just keep working on it as much as I can But happy to know it isn't just me!

 

[Jemima]

We are about to get two boars, and I have been watching some YouTube videos. There is one called Scotty's Animals and he does three tips for handling and picking up. I can try and find a link? He's been working with piggies for years at a rescue centre, and I think his methods are helpful. He talks there about how all Guinea Pigs don't like to be picked up, but it is the actual picking up part, rather than the holding part, that they dislike. Because of course, they are prey animals.

So they don't like hands grabbing at them, and he suggests a scooping technique, but also picking them up with a treat, and then also picking them up in a cuddle sack, then giving them treats (their favourite veg). He also says not to expect a piggies to be held for more than 15 minutes. It was really helpful. Maybe look it up! X

P.S. Sounds like your boys are very content and happy.

 

[Siikibam]

@Jemima that's true. But be aware that some don't like being held even for 1 minute.

 

[Jemima]

@Jemima that's true. But be aware that some don't like being held even for 1 minute.

I guess it is the same with all beings everywhere, we're just all so different. One of my rescue cats, Colin, will be carried around like a baby by me, and also lets the children carry him about. Whereas my other cat, Mouse, will only tolerate being stroked when she is in the mood - she hates being picked up! You just have to respect their individualities, don't you.

 

[Siikibam]

I guess it is the same with all beings everywhere, we're just all so different. One of my rescue cats, Colin, will be carried around like a baby by me, and also lets the children carry him about. Whereas my other cat, Mouse, will only tolerate being stroked when she is in the mood - she hates being picked up! You just have to respect their individualities, don't you.

Absolutely. And that is the way you will have the best bond with them.

 

[Free Ranger]

they are both long haired boys,

Just FYI - It's been about 2 months since Louise was cropped and we've had to do it again. That hair grows like a weed! Mixed hair clipper / scissor but mainly a two-man job again. Downside to clippers is a million billion tiny white hair clippings have gone everywhere!