Is the bond breaking?

[Little Ones]

I’m a bit stumped as to what to do.
About 4 weeks ago, a member on the forum looked after my pigs whilst I was away - another member boarded them for about a day at this time too.
2 weeks ago, the boys came back and since then the dominant pig, Little is causing some friction.
The boys have only been together about two months and are both 4.
Peanut, the other pig, used to get away with quite a lot, he could claim the bowl Little was eating out of, or claim any of the beds and hideys. There was little to no dominance behaviour.
Since coming back, there have been a few squabbles in the cage, Little has been showing dominance behaviour quite a bit - chasing Peanut out of a bed and blocking one of the exits to a hidey. He’s chased Peanut around the cage too.
Then at floor time, Little is constantly on Peanut. He’ll get close to his face and they’ll show teeth and squabble and then he’ll chase Peanut around with his mouth on Peanut’s back as he’s running.
There has been no blood, but they’ve gone from being absolute best friends (both their previous friends had passed away) to not getting along. Peanut never instigates anything and no longer displays behaviour that would warrant it.
I would hate to split them up, i had put it down to them settling back in and Little having to reaffirm that he’s in charge of the territory but it’s been going on 2 weeks now - is this something I should expect? Or is this the bond potentially breaking?
Is there anything I can do to for them to make it easier?

 

[Wiebke]

I’m a bit stumped as to what to do.
About 4 weeks ago, a member on the forum looked after my pigs whilst I was away - another member boarded them for about a day at this time too.
2 weeks ago, the boys came back and since then the dominant pig, Little is causing some friction.
The boys have only been together about two months and are both 4.
Peanut, the other pig, used to get away with quite a lot, he could claim the bowl Little was eating out of, or claim any of the beds and hideys. There was little to no dominance behaviour.
Since coming back, there have been a few squabbles in the cage, Little has been showing dominance behaviour quite a bit - chasing Peanut out of a bed and blocking one of the exits to a hidey. He’s chased Peanut around the cage too.
Then at floor time, Little is constantly on Peanut. He’ll get close to his face and they’ll show teeth and squabble and then he’ll chase Peanut around with his mouth on Peanut’s back as he’s running.
There has been no blood, but they’ve gone from being absolute best friends (both their previous friends had passed away) to not getting along. Peanut never instigates anything and no longer displays behaviour that would warrant it.
I would hate to split them up, i had put it down to them settling back in and Little having to reaffirm that he’s in charge of the territory but it’s been going on 2 weeks now - is this something I should expect? Or is this the bond potentially breaking?
Is there anything I can do to for them to make it easier?

Hi!

The dominance behaviour will hopefully settle down again once Little is feeling secure in home and his position again as he establishes the hierarchy in yet another territory after several upsets.

The behaviour is well within in the acceptable range of mild to medium dominance. Give them time and rmove any hideys with only one exit.

 

[Little Ones]

Hi!

The dominance behaviour will hopefully settle down again once Little is feeling secure in home and his position again as he establishes the hierarchy in yet another territory after several upsets.

The behaviour is well within in the acceptable range of mild to medium dominance. Give them time and rmove any hideys with only one exit.

Phew, that’s a relief! I’ve never seen dominance like this from him so I was panicking. Thank you!

 

[Fantasimo]

My six month old boys do this all the time. Well, one does, the other one just ignores him or occasionally kicks his leg back as if to say ‘ off’

Also, I tend to find that Oggie only rumblestruts and gets all dominant when he’s excited or when I’m around and I think it might be a bit of excitement mixed in (since it often turns into popcorns). Could it be a wash of bloke hormones and excitement about being home maybe?

 

[eileen]

since Little became unwell,you may find he is feeling alittle threatened. you have been given excellent advise.i hope all settles down .x

 

[Little Ones]

since Little became unwell,you may find he is feeling alittle threatened. you have been given excellent advise.i hope all settles down .x

Yeah, we had also thought that, but it was going on a bit too long for my liking. They both also got bloat on Saturday too and needed medication, so the poor guy must be feeling a bit vulnerable xx

 

[Little Ones]

My six month old boys do this all the time. Well, one does, the other one just ignores him or occasionally kicks his leg back as if to say ‘ off’

Also, I tend to find that Oggie only rumblestruts and gets all dominant when he’s excited or when I’m around and I think it might be a bit of excitement mixed in (since it often turns into popcorns). Could it be a wash of bloke hormones and excitement about being home maybe?

Because yours are young, it’s not as common due to the hormones for them. Not sure how it works with older pigs though! I’d say it’s more Little showing he’s the boss in this environment rather than excitement. Though, you could still be right, guinea pigs are complex creatures!

 

[Fantasimo]

Because yours are young, it’s not as common due to the hormones for them. Not sure how it works with older pigs though! I’d say it’s more Little showing he’s the boss in this environment rather than excitement. Though, you could still be right, guinea pigs are complex creatures!

As are men in general!