How Do I Introduce Lap Time And Picking Up?

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MooseandBear

MooseandBear

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I got my little piggies a few days ago, and I've been reading that it is around time to pick up my little piggies and introduce lap time. One of my piggies, Bear, lets me stroke him a little, but Moose is very skittish. How do I introduce picking up and lap time without scaring them too much? I love them so much, and I really don't want to scare them!
 
MooseandBear said:
I got my little piggies a few days ago, and I've been reading that it is around time to pick up my little piggies and introduce lap time. One of my piggies, Bear, lets me stroke him a little, but Moose is very skittish. How do I introduce picking up and lap time without scaring them too much? I love them so much, and I really don't want to scare them!
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Hi and welcome!

Personally, I would wait until your piggies will come and pick food off your hands. Then you know that they will trust you. How soon you can do that, very much depends on how much friendly interaction your guinea pigs have had before and how much they are still running on prey animal instincts or are actually deeply frightened of people.
Please be aware that it is a wide-spread myth that guinea pigs are natural cuddlers; they aren't! All those cuddling videos on social media do NOT give a correct and complete picture.

Here are our settling in and making friends tips:
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
How To Understand Guinea Pig Instincts And Speak Piggy Body Language
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

We have got lots more information for new owners, which you may find helpful in learning to understand your guinea pigs and also learning to spot what is normal and what not etc...
Our guide bundle contains answers to the most often asked questions as well as some important need-to-know information that new owners are often not aware of, but that can save them problems in the long term.
New Owners' " How To" Starter Kit
 
Wow! Okay, thank you! I will look through all of the websites today! Bear will eat out of my hands, but Moose won't really... Thank you!
 
Food is the best way to bribe and the way to a piggies heart is through their tummy! Use food when you get round to lap times also. Start lap time for a short amount of time at first and build up. We started off we laptimes for 1 minute with new piggies then pop them back, slowly increasing the time. They will soon associate you with food and good things but at first it takes a while to gain their trust.

We use this method to catch the piggies who aren't used to getting picked up or get stressed when doing so, it takes the stress out for them and you
 
MooseandBear said:
Wow! Okay, thank you! I will look through all of the websites today! Bear will eat out of my hands, but Moose won't really... Thank you!
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They are not websites, but some of the guides you find at the top of our various Care sections. You are always welcome to browse!
 
MooseandBear said:
How do I put them on my lap? On my legs? Next to me? or sit crosslegged?
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On your lap, thighs or upper body. Some piggies love to snuggle up under your chin or against your neck. Others have their piggies next to them on the sofa (please pee-proof) while they watch tv.
 
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