New Piggies That Like To Bite And Nibble My Fingers!

[Angelah]

I have had my two new Boars for two weeks they are 14 weeks old, they are still very nervous of us when we stand up and move they run in there hidey places in there cage but getting a lot more friendlier,

i placed my hand into the cage and offered them some food to get them used to me, they both sniffed my hand at separate times and one of the bit me, i don't think for one moment he done it out of badness, he was sniffing my hand and then it was more of a nibble but as his teeth are super sharp it hurt, i said no firmly and took my hand out, i know they are still very young and want to get them tame and know its going to take time and patience but just want some advice on what to do when they try and do that again, as i don't want them to think its ok to do but at the same time i don't want to do anything to frighten them and make them scared of me

 

[Lorcan]

At that age, they like to nibble on everything, fingers included! If it's not been a actual "bite" then it's possible he's just been "testing" what's in front of him. My boys don't do it so much now but when I first had them, even the letterbox and the carpet needed checking

If that's what it is, through likelihood is it won't be constantly repeated. Comet's very gentle about his nibbles and taking food from the hand now, because he's learnt fingers aren't food. It's not something I had to teach him. Blitzen still nips when he does it occasionally, but he's a lot less happy about fingers and being hand fed in general. He's still never caused any actual damage.

 

[Wiebke]

I have had my two new Boars for two weeks they are 14 weeks old, they are still very nervous of us when we stand up and move they run in there hidey places in there cage but getting a lot more friendlier,

i placed my hand into the cage and offered them some food to get them used to me, they both sniffed my hand at separate times and one of the bit me, i don't think for one moment he done it out of badness, he was sniffing my hand and then it was more of a nibble but as his teeth are super sharp it hurt, i said no firmly and took my hand out, i know they are still very young and want to get them tame and know its going to take time and patience but just want some advice on what to do when they try and do that again, as i don't want them to think its ok to do but at the same time i don't want to do anything to frighten them and make them scared of me

Hi! You may find this guide here helpful; it contains tips on how to deal with nibbling and biting issues in terms and ways that guinea pigs can instantly understand because they are based on social behaviours/concepts of guinea pigs and understanding how their instincts work. No force or scary interventions needed!
" Biting" And What You Can Do

 

[Angelah]

Thankyou both for your posts, good information and i will also have a good read at that link to Wiebke, thanks for that!

 

[Cavy Kung-Fu]

My piggies always do that if my fingers smell like food, have had food in them or think there COULD be food in them

That may have been what happened with you too, my Bella always nibbles but it's just her way. Nibble, lick, nibble, lick