How do I introduce floor time to my piggies?

[Megamon]

I've had mine for a couple of months now and I just don't know how to introduce floor time to them, they're still scared of my hand (not as much now as they were before but they still run away) and they never go in the tunnels or w/e I'm trying to lure them in.

 

[Wiebke]

I've had mine for a couple of months now and I just don't know how to introduce floor time to them, they're still scared of my hand (not as much now as they were before but they still run away) and they never go in the tunnels or w/e I'm trying to lure them in.

Hi!

Have you tried a lidded walk-in cardboard box with soft hay in? give them a day or two get comfortable with it and if possible have a nap in it. Then serve their veg in it, so they start associating it with food. Only once they are relaxed and used to being in there start using it for transport. You can see an example of a cardboard transport in the guide; ideally is deep enough that both piggies fit in and are nowhere near the exit when you lift the box. Cut in holes for your fingers and cover the entrance during transport: How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Introduce the run with some soiled bedding of theirs so it smells 'right' as their territory straight from the start; also sprinkle their hideys around about 1 foot apart to give them safe bases to explore from. Don't be daunted if not a lot happens the first 2-3 times and enjoy if they are out and about quickly! Using scent marked bedding takes a lot of stress out of it; guinea pigs are territorial and have a much stronger sense of smell than us, so we tend to under estimate its importance. Cover the run with a sheet at first so they feel protected while exploring. Always rub any new stuff with their scent; piggies are wired to go where others have gone before them.

Serve the veg in the box so they are getting used to associating the run with feeding and will come willingly into the box. Serve a treat like a pinch of readygrass or fresh hay when they come home, so again, they have motivation to come back into the box for the return. Create a different call for the way out (you can link walkie, walkie, walkie with their dinner call) and a similar one for the journey back (I always call 'walkie walkie walkie home') to get the piggies to return to their cage. Luring piggies with food is the safest way; their greedy little bellies always win out!