Is This Normal Or Am I Doing Something Wrong?

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AliceKay

AliceKay

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Hi I got my guinea pigs nearly 3 weeks ago now, they had never been handled before and they are babies. Progress with taming them is very slow, they wont allow me to touch them let alone pick them up but they have started to take food from my hands now and don't always flee into a tunnel when I go into the room.
Was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences that has ended with tame cuddly piggies and how long it took, and also if there is anything I can do to make them happier with me :) Thanks
 
from my experiemce this is normal. it can take along time to build confidence with them. its good they r taking food from u so just keep doing what u r doing id say. my wee harold ran away from me when I was picking him up but when I caught him he would settle down. hes much better now and thats about 4-5 months ive had him although he does the odd run away when I'm picking him up
 
Don't worry - 3 weeks is a very short space of time, its great that they are taking food from your hands.

Not to sound discouraging but ive had my two boys for 11 weeks and they continue to run off if I try to pick them up/stroke them in their cage, and won't sit on my lap unless food is involved. Have a look at this thread on how to settle shy guinea pigs http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/how-do-i-settle-shy-new-guinea-pigs.36239/

It sounds completely normal behaviour!
 
Hi :) thanks -um yeah have been using the threads at the top and I was unsure whether to post but I was getting a bit worried as in the post it mentions not to pick them up for 48hrs but I am 3 weeks down the line and still no way i could pick them up lol. Was worried that by taking it this slow with them that I am doing more harm than good tbh. But its good to know that I am not alone with this issue :)
 
Your piggies have started to trust you and have gained confidence, so be proud of yourself! It usually takes quite a long time for guinea pigs that have never had much in the way of human interaction to learn to be cuddly pets. Most youngsters will run away when you try to pick them up.

Not all piggies will become happy cuddlers, but most will get as far as not to mind a quick cuddle. I put mine down whenever they signal that they have had enough. They all happily interact with me. Some really traumatised/timid ones have taken months to bring round, but it was always a very special moment when they finally gave me their trust.

Have a look at this thread here; it may help you with taking your relationship further:
https://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk...stincts-and-speak-piggy-body-language.117031/
 
Don't worry when I got my girl popcorn she was extremely skittish and she even bit people! All you really have to do is try to be constant with the taming so try to handle your pig lots, also hand feed them there veggies so they know when ever your there they get a good expierece out of it. I would also suggest that when you enter the room or about to pick them up start talking in a soft voice so they don't get startled. Now popcorn is very affectionate and I can pet and hold her now so with a bit of time and patience your pigs will begin to trust you!

Good luck
 
Don't worry when I got my girl popcorn she was extremely skittish and she even bit people! All you really have to do is try to be constant with the taming so try to handle your pig lots, also hand feed them there veggies so they know when ever your there they get a good expierece out of it. I would also suggest that when you enter the room or about to pick them up start talking in a soft voice so they don't get startled. Now popcorn is very affectionate and I can pet and hold her now so with a bit of time and patience your pigs will begin to trust you!

Good luck
 
Don't worry when I got my girl popcorn she was extremely skittish and she even bit people! All you really have to do is try to be constant with the taming so try to handle your pig lots, also hand feed them there veggies so they know when ever your there they get a good expierece out of it. I would also suggest that when you enter the room or about to pick them up start talking in a soft voice so they don't get startled. Now popcorn is very affectionate and I can pet and hold her now so with a bit of time and patience your pigs will begin to trust you!

Good luck
 
Don't worry when I got my girl popcorn she was extremely skittish and she even bit people! All you really have to do is try to be constant with the taming so try to handle your pig lots, also hand feed them there veggies so they know when ever your there they get a good expierece out of it. I would also suggest that when you enter the room or about to pick them up start talking in a soft voice so they don't get startled. Now popcorn is very affectionate and I can pet and hold her now so with a bit of time and patience your pigs will begin to trust you!

Good luck


AliceKay said:
Hi I got my guinea pigs nearly 3 weeks ago now, they had never been handled before and they are babies. Progress with taming them is very slow, they wont allow me to touch them let alone pick them up but they have started to take food from my hands now and don't always flee into a tunnel when I go into the room.
Was wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences that has ended with tame cuddly piggies and how long it took, and also if there is anything I can do to make them happier with me :) Thanks
Click to expand...
 
TheWheakingCavy said:
Don't worry when I got my girl popcorn she was extremely skittish and she even bit people! All you really have to do is try to be constant with the taming so try to handle your pig lots, also hand feed them there veggies so they know when ever your there they get a good expierece out of it. I would also suggest that when you enter the room or about to pick them up start talking in a soft voice so they don't get startled. Now popcorn is very affectionate and I can pet and hold her now so with a bit of time and patience your pigs will begin to trust you!

Good luck
Click to expand...
Are you stuttering? Lol j/k
 
Thank you :) making further progress with the boy who will just about let me stroke him now! hehe. The girl not so much - she always jumps and looks highly offended if you touch her haha x
 
Not all piggies like being touched and stroked. Just enjoy those who do!
 
It is perfectly normal for them to be scared if you, I am surprised they already trust you enough to eat out of your hand. It is very normal. I would talk to them shot, have them get used to your voice. But good job, and good luck.:san:
 
When I got my boy Scamp he was a nightmare to catch and even worse to hold. He had belonged to a child who had got bored quickly so he hadn't been handled. I'm about 4 months down the line and he is a now real pleasure to hold. I used to have both hands firmly around him and held him against me for extra safety. Now he sits on my lap, walks up my body and nuzzles into my neck where he happily lays for half an hour. Keep going, it's so worth it.
 
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