How to assert "Dominance" with your Dominant Guinea Pig?

atomicpenguinx

atomicpenguinx

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So the other day, I was trying to trim Mochi's (female/dominant) nails, and she throws a big fuss and manages to bite harder than other times (obviously in defense). I've trimmed her nails before with less trouble, she doesn't respond to treat rewards ( i give my other pig Kiwi a nibble or two between clipping each paw), and this time she would not have it, so I let her be for that day. I looked up info in the forum and I read the "Biting" post, under the "Tweaking" section, and it said try ear fondling or "reassert it by a more direct forcing the piggy’s chin up", but I don't entirely understand. Is it possible to assert "dominance", especially towards dominant piggies?

I've only had these pigs for two weeks, and have handled them for a few mins each day in hopes they would get used to me. Am I moving too fast? I just don't want their nails to get too long and have that issue every time I try to trim Mochi's nails. (I have also watched the "How to Trim Your Pig's Nails" video on here and tried it, but both pigs are still too fussy to do it properly). I don't want to take them to get their nails trimmed by a professional just yet, I want to try and gain the confidence to do it myself, and if I fail, then a trip to the vet it is.

What are your thoughts?:ple: What do you do when your piggy won't cooperate?
 
atomicpenguinx said:
So the other day, I was trying to trim Mochi's (female/dominant) nails, and she throws a big fuss and manages to bite harder than other times (obviously in defense). I've trimmed her nails before with less trouble, she doesn't respond to treat rewards ( i give my other pig Kiwi a nibble or two between clipping each paw), and this time she would not have it, so I let her be for that day. I looked up info in the forum and I read the "Biting" post, under the "Tweaking" section, and it said try ear fondling or "reassert it by a more direct forcing the piggy’s chin up", but I don't entirely understand. Is it possible to assert "dominance", especially towards dominant piggies?

I've only had these pigs for two weeks, and have handled them for a few mins each day in hopes they would get used to me. Am I moving too fast? I just don't want their nails to get too long and have that issue every time I try to trim Mochi's nails. (I have also watched the "How to Trim Your Pig's Nails" video on here and tried it, but both pigs are still too fussy to do it properly). I don't want to take them to get their nails trimmed by a professional just yet, I want to try and gain the confidence to do it myself, and if I fail, then a trip to the vet it is.

What are your thoughts?:ple: What do you do when your piggy won't cooperate?
Click to expand...

Hi!

How old are your piggies? At shop age, they are still rather too young for nail cutting, as the nails are only just starting to grow out. Rather train them to get used to having their feed manipulated first with plenty of praise and positive reinforcement! ;)

Yes, it is possible to assert your dominance with a dominant guinea pig if you make the guinea pig a member of the herd you are leading. Because of your size difference, the authority is pretty clear.

- Ear fondling means a friendly invitation into the group you are leading.
- Next stroke your piggy gently around the eyes, telling it that you love it.
- Fondle the ear and stroke around the eye a bit more.
- Tell your piggy how much you love it and what great piggy it is.
- Then you start with the nails; praise lavishly for every nail; intersperse with plenty of eye area stroking. Don't aim to do all nails in one go.
- If your piggy is getting too worked out/wiggly, put it back. Praise it and give it a treat.
- Then resume where you left off the next time. If you praise your piggy for its cooperation but accept when it is telling you that it has reached its limit, then you can build up a relationship of mutual respect and trust. This works both ways.
- Forcing your way through unless in an emergency or with a recalcitrant teenager trying to push the boundaries even after a fair few warnings is not recommended.

You will get faster more quickly by going slow and gently at the beginning, but from a position of strength. Guinea pigs are wired to live in a hierarchical group. So frame every issue in the way that it becomes a hierarchical group issue because it makes sense to a piggy that way and you can achieve more without brute force, shouting and expecting your guinea pigs to figure out human expectations first before you learn to understand piggies. ;)

Also be aware that if you are nervous and insecure in handling, your piggies will pick up on it. Always make very sure that you are NOT cutting into the quick because that is very painful (not to mention bloody). Do never rush the job and if in doubt cut off too little than too much.

This is piggy whispering guide you are referring to: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
 
Wiebke said:
Hi!

How old are your piggies? At shop age, they are still rather too young for nail cutting, as the nails are only just starting to grow out. Rather train them to get used to having their feed manipulated first with plenty of praise and positive reinforcement! ;)

Yes, it is possible to assert your dominance with a dominant guinea pig if you make the guinea pig a member of the herd you are leading. Because of your size difference, the authority is pretty clear.

- Ear fondling means a friendly invitation into the group you are leading.
- Next stroke your piggy gently around the eyes, telling it that you love it.
- Fondle the ear and stroke around the eye a bit more.
- Tell your piggy how much you love it and what great piggy it is.
- Then you start with the nails; praise lavishly for every nail; intersperse with plenty of eye area stroking. Don't aim to do all nails in one go.
- If your piggy is getting too worked out/wiggly, put it back. Praise it and give it a treat.
- Then resume where you left off the next time. If you praise your piggy for its cooperation but accept when it is telling you that it has reached its limit, then you can build up a relationship of mutual respect and trust. This works both ways.
- Forcing your way through unless in an emergency or with a recalcitrant teenager trying to push the boundaries even after a fair few warnings is not recommended.

You will get faster more quickly by going slow and gently at the beginning, but from a position of strength. Guinea pigs are wired to live in a hierarchical group. So frame every issue in the way that it becomes a hierarchical group issue because it makes sense to a piggy that way and you can achieve more without brute force, shouting and expecting your guinea pigs to figure out human expectations first before you learn to understand piggies. ;)

Also be aware that if you are nervous and insecure in handling, your piggies will pick up on it. Always make very sure that you are NOT cutting into the quick because that is very painful (not to mention bloody). Do never rush the job and if in doubt cut off too little than too much.

This is piggy whispering guide you are referring to: Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Click to expand...
They're about 7 months? I didn't even know there was a "shop age", guess I have more learning to do. :hmm:

Okay! I'll try this out the next time around~ ( I felt kind of silly reading the points, but I'll do it if it helps to build a stronger bond with the piggies :lol:) Thank you so much!
 
We also get a vet nurse to do nail trims. I think its important to differentiate between when a piggy is biting out of fear, because they dont trust you, and when they are just being sassy and trying it on. The piggy whispering tips work great. You need to establish trust and friendship before asserting dominance. A fairly new piggy biting when you try cut their nails is an understandable fear aggression response, not a dominance thing. If they are biting you once they know you well when you do nice stuff, that's a dominance thing, and once you understand piggy talk then chucking them under the chin or gently pulling their ears is very good for reminding them that you can open the fridge and they can't!
 
My lovely piggy Rupert just chills when I do his, enjoys a nice brush and pamper!
But his lady friend Jess is a total diva, gives me a good telling off and takes ages! So tend to do a foot at a time with her, she's trouble! :)
 
atomicpenguinx said:
So the other day, I was trying to trim Mochi's (female/dominant) nails, and she throws a big fuss and manages to bite harder than other times (obviously in defense). I've trimmed her nails before with less trouble, she doesn't respond to treat rewards ( i give my other pig Kiwi a nibble or two between clipping each paw), and this time she would not have it, so I let her be for that day. I looked up info in the forum and I read the "Biting" post, under the "Tweaking" section, and it said try ear fondling or "reassert it by a more direct forcing the piggy’s chin up", but I don't entirely understand. Is it possible to assert "dominance", especially towards dominant piggies?

I've only had these pigs for two weeks, and have handled them for a few mins each day in hopes they would get used to me. Am I moving too fast? I just don't want their nails to get too long and have that issue every time I try to trim Mochi's nails. (I have also watched the "How to Trim Your Pig's Nails" video on here and tried it, but both pigs are still too fussy to do it properly). I don't want to take them to get their nails trimmed by a professional just yet, I want to try and gain the confidence to do it myself, and if I fail, then a trip to the vet it is.

What are your thoughts?:ple: What do you do when your piggy won't cooperate?
Click to expand...
You've only had the pigs for 2 weeks? She's biting out of fear no? I'd always let a pig have many weeks of peace and getting used to a new place, not picking up if they don't like it, offering food by hand to build up trust. Sounds like too much too soon?
 
Black piggies said:
You've only had the pigs for 2 weeks? She's biting out of fear no? I'd always let a pig have many weeks of peace and getting used to a new place, not picking up if they don't like it, offering food by hand to build up trust. Sounds like too much too soon?
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Yeah, i haven't given them enough time to settle in i suppose:soz:.... I guess its a bit difficult for me since they're new critters and i'm too excited/curious to want to handle them so soon. I've started with hand feeding, i'll keep going with that for now too :nod:
 
Don't worry too much, sure as you get to know each other more you'll learn their ways and what's best for them etc. And you!
My Jessie will have been with me 6 years in July, she's just a bossy boots by nature! Every pig's different of course :)

Hope they're settling in well though as you've only had them such a short time (and guessing you're in love already!) x
 
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alpacasqueak said:
Don't worry too much, sure as you get to know each other more you'll learn they ways and what's best for them etc. And you!
My Jessie will have been with me 6 years in July, she's just a bossy boots by nature! Every pig's different of course :)

Hope they're settling in well though as you've only had them such a short time (and guessing you're in love already!) x
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Haha, i'll do my best~ Yes! They're entertaining to watch in the meantime (the other day I figured out that the most amazing play thing i could have ever given them was a fleece blanket draped over the edge of the hutch which I have cleverly named 'The Tunnel of Wonders'. They just zoom around and under it like its the best thing in the world) I shall continue to observe them patiently as they grow. :luv:
 
A blanket or a cardboard box always loved by mine too, who needs posh expensive toys! Any pics of your babies? (We all love piggy pics on here!) :)
 
alpacasqueak said:
A blanket or a cardboard box always loved by mine too, who needs posh expensive toys! Any pics of your babies? (We all love piggy pics on here!) :)
Click to expand...
Haha, right? I pool more money into the treats (and the hay most importantly)

These are my jellybeans! Kiwi is on the left, Mochi on the right. This was their old potty corner, a 1x1 off the side of their main area, but it wasnt working as well, felt too cramped, constantly changing the arrangement of the hutch! :hmm:

AB880511-0F45-4CAE-8726-0094EF9043BC.webp
 
A lot of pigs will always hate nail trimming, no matter what you do. It's not always necessarily the dominant one (our queen bee pig, Linney, actually whimpered like a puppy when we cut her nails... the only real bite ever got from a guinea pig was from Sundae, one of the meekest pigs we ever had who just freaked out when her nails were cut!) It might be easiest to make it a two-person job if possible, with one holding the pig and the other cutting the nails.
 
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