Nervousness

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Jessiepat123

Jessiepat123

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Just wondering, i think its because I didn't really have any pets as a child, but I still get a bit nervous when I'm cuddling the pigs and holding them. Do you think they can sense it, making them more jumpy?

I think its just because these are still my first guineas I don't totally trust them not to bite me, when really I know they probably won't hurt me unless I hurt them.

But sometimes I think they could really benefit and come out of their shells if I was more comfortable with them, and held them in different ways etc

Does anyone else get a bit skittish and worried or is it just me being daft?
 
Oops hit post button too soon and wouldn't let me edit!

The first time I held Thumper he bit me, hard as he could! He drew blood 8... and it flippin hurt lol He was terrified poor thing so it's no wonder. I was a bit nervous after that of holding him but he has never done it since! He likes to nibble on fingers but has never bit again, I don't know whether they can sense nervousness for sure, but I think most animals have that sense built in to them, but they are naturally jumpy and skittish creatures so even if you're confident they will run and hide from you until they are used to you which can take quite some time. In time though you will become more confident with them. It's not daft at all, my worry is now when I'm lifting them I don't want to hurt them so I would be quite skittish when trying to catch them
 
Yeh i see what you mean, i think because theyre only about 7months old theyr still exploring and growing into their own personalities as well.

But the reasurance really helps, thanks :)
 
Yeah i have read somewhere that pigs dont bite and there first form of defence is to scarper. I have only ever been bitten once by one of my pigs and that was when i was brushing my very timid long haired pig called JP. he was not impressed and dug his teeth into my lap! i never worry that my pigs are going to bite me though, i would actually be more afraid of a hampster lol
 
can you suggest anything else i could do to build my confidence a bit more?
 
you could try holding them in cuddle cups or wrapped in towels, helps with accidents to.

toffee is the only piggy to bite me and break the skin, all the others have nibbles and some have sharp teeth. just make sure your hands dont smell of food!

now my hamster scares me, she likes to bite so i try not to handle her.
 
Sometimes it helps when you lie on the floor and put the piggie on your chest, have a cushion behind your head. I think Peter Guerney the piggy man wrote about this so I tried it - it was amazing how the piggies responded to me. One wanted to lick my nose and sniff all over my face (tickly) and the other settled down, turned her bottom to me and went to sleep....

However, it does help you to get to know your piggies and then you feel less nervous around them if your relationship is good. So get down on the floor with them if you can!
 
thanks for the suggestions, do you think it would be worth investing in that peter guerney book?
 
Peter Geurney books are ace. I have his 'piggy potions' and wouldn't do without it now. I think I read that as a posting he put up, so there may still be some stuff about him online which is free!
 
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