Lifting Your Piggy

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paulalovespiggies

paulalovespiggies

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi all, thought I would post this in the hopes it might be useful, think new owners might get something from it. seasoned owners might get a laugh. Bit of Background from me, I have two boys (Percy and pig), got them in November. I'm a first time owner so we're still settling in. I let my piggies out most days for floor time or a Cuddle. One is OK about getting lifted (percy) and the other still runs in terror (pig). So I tried used a cardboard tube as a lifting device. Worked out the first few times, but now they've got smart to it and won't go near it.

So the other day I was reaching in to put in some veggies. I had on my fiances dressing gown which is big and has big loose sleeves. I had my arm in and next thing, there was a Guinea pig in my sleeve. Happy as Larry, nice and cosy in the warm dressing gown. So I let him down and he was totally fine, no squeaking or running away. I just tried it again today and it worked! So easy and stress free, for me and my pig! Maybe it'll work for you :)
 
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They do like warm cosy places and sharing body heat! I love it as technique for picking up piggies :) My hamster used to do the same when I was a teenager. Being close to you makes them feel safe.
 
MerryPip said:
They do like warm cosy places and sharing body heat! I love it as technique for picking up piggies :) My hamster used to do the same when I was a teenager. Being close to you makes them feel safe.
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I never would have thought of it, I'm so happy though, there were a few days Pig missed out on floortime because he was getting too upset about being lifted and I couldn't bear putting him through it!
 
I have had a piggie go rushing up my sleeve on two occasions, but that was when she was small - she's too chubby to fit now! Obviously the inside of a sleeve looks like a nice, cosy, dark tunnel! It's so sweet! But a bit ticklish!
 
Toby is fine being picked up (once he is cornered) and having cuddles. Barney is a different story - he was so desperate to get away from me the other day that he got himself wedged in a small gap under the hutch and couldn't get out. I had to lift the whole hutch to get him out - he was petrified. I was really upset that he could injured himself in a panic to get away from me. As soon as I get the chance I am going to make him a big cozy to see if I can handle him without him getting too panicked.
 
AbiS said:
Toby is fine being picked up (once he is cornered) and having cuddles. Barney is a different story - he was so desperate to get away from me the other day that he got himself wedged in a small gap under the hutch and couldn't get out. I had to lift the whole hutch to get him out - he was petrified. I was really upset that he could injured himself in a panic to get away from me. As soon as I get the chance I am going to make him a big cozy to see if I can handle him without him getting too panicked.
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It's an awful feeling knowing your pig is scared of you. I'm exactly the same, i feel really mean when i see how scared he gets. But i worry more about him not getting exercise so it has time be done. Mine are both slowly coming round, having a treat to hand is best - I am not above bribery:)
 
See that's the annoying thing - he is totally not scared. We hand feed them all the time while sat out on the carpet. They come running out of the hutch and over to us when they know food is around. They come and sit at our feet and start shouting at us from 5:30 until they get their tea at 7pm. He will sit and be stroked totally happily while being hand fed is tea. It is just he is not a cuddly pig and he hates being restricted.

The petrified bit really related to him being wedged under the hutch because again, he was restricted and couldn't get out. I would love to have cuddles with him - he is such a solid, big pig and he would be lush to squeeze but he just doesn't want to know. Am at the point now where I almost want to stop trying to cuddle him because he gets really frantic trying to escape an I don't want him to get hurt. His brother would sit and have cuddles for hours on end!
 
Phoebe is really good at being picked up! I just call her and put my hands in front of her, sort of cupped and she hops into them and on to my arm! Love it! Poppy however, is totally different and runs away. After a long time, I've finally realised - go slower with her! She will now sometimes climb up on my hands the same way Phoebe does - but I have to talk softly, all the time, move slowly and smoothly towards her, and if she runs away, that's ok. I don't immediately 'chase' her! Just reapproach, nice and slowly and calm and she'll let me put my hands in front. Sometimes I get to that stage and she'll run away again. Deep breath from me - and off we go again. It's improving, slowly, but worth the effort! :)
 
My pigs love sitting inside my jumpers and coats! But they are so fast - one second you have a pig on your lap, next they're halfway up your sleeve! Elphie loves to sit inside my sleeve (even my rain coat, which is quite tight!) while the others tend to just sit inside my zip up jumpers.

I got myself in a bit of a pickle once. I have a big in each sleeve, two in my back, and one on each side. I looked liked I was smuggling something! I had to call my Dad to help me get them all out :))

Most of my pigs are fine being picked up. Some can be drama queens and shriek at me. The only one I have any real problem with is Nellie - she hates being handled and is super fast and springy - she can shoot right up the bars when you try and grab her!
 
I suppose it's just getting used to their personalities. Will have to try a different approach with Pig. Maybe leave him alone for a while and start over. He's a wee starvo and will happily be hand fed and does even seem to enjoy a wee head rub if he's in the mood. Fussy wee creatures, aren't they?! Good thing they're so adorable! :luv:
 
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