How to regain their trust again?

[newgpowners]

Hi, all!
Basically, I've only ever handled/held my pigwigs maybe 3 times since getting them.
I let them settle in when I first rehomed them both, and then I was able to get a hold of them and pet them both. I took a few days break from this and ever since they won't let me pick them up. Gavin has started to come over and sniff my hand and lets me stroke his head, but Romeo AND Gavin just won't let me close enough to pick them up. They keep running away. I'm scared if I try too much to pick them both up, they'll get even more anxious and scared.
What is the best solution for this?
I just want snuggles with my babies.
Thank you!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, all!
Basically, I've only ever handled/held my pigwigs maybe 3 times since getting them.
I let them settle in when I first rehomed them both, and then I was able to get a hold of them and pet them both. I took a few days break from this and ever since they won't let me pick them up. Gavin has started to come over and sniff my hand and lets me stroke his head, but Romeo AND Gavin just won't let me close enough to pick them up. They keep running away. I'm scared if I try too much to pick them both up, they'll get even more anxious and scared.
What is the best solution for this?
I just want snuggles with my babies.
Thank you!

Hi!

Please respect that guinea pigs are prey animals and have the full set of prey animal instincts. They are not naturally born animated cuddle toys and they are not born as pets.
What you are experiencing is very normal. Your guinea pigs have come into a completely new and potentially hostile territory where everything is different, so they are nervous and their instincts are fully awake.

Please be patient and persistent. Avoid any predatory behaviours, respect your piggies' intincts and work around them.
Make friends with them first before you want to pick up and cuddle. This is easiest done by luring them to your hands with food, so they learn to associate your hands with nice things and not just grabbing, chasing things. Avoid picking them up with your hands; that is the action that cuts closest to their prey animal instincts - a piggy that is caught by a predator is most likely turning into a dead piggy.
Don't expect them to come to you immediately. Trust is a very tender plant that needs time to grow. But if you take that time right now, then you will reap the rich rewards later!

Take the time to read these tips here. They tell you what helps to reassure the piggies and build up a settled routine and a relationship; which behaviours you should avoid to not trigger prey animal instincts and how you can make friends in ways that they instinctively understand.
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

We have got lots more really useful tips in how you can learn what is normal and what not and how to read your guinea pig's social interaction and behaviours etc., which toys are dangerous and which have stodd the test of time etc. via this link here: New Owners' Problem Solver And Information Collection