Piggies not scared of me, but won't let me pick them up?

[nuggetandbubs]

I just got baby guinea pigs around a week ago (6-8 weeks old), and they are already quite tame. They'll eat out of my hand and they let me pet them, they're also fine with sitting in my lap and eat and chill. The issue I've been having is that i cant pick them up by hand, and I will have to do it very soon because their nails need clipping. How can i get them used to being handled? There are people who tell me that I should give them time and that they may never get around to being picked up, but there are also people who say i should pick them up a few times a day, even if they're terrified, so i "force" them to get used to it and understand I'm not going to hurt them. What should i do? I can't afford to go to a vet every time their nails need clipping, also the vet is probably going to do the same job that I could potentially do on my own.

The issue with picking them up by hand isn't that they are scared of my hand. They're very happy when I put my hand in the cage because they know that I potentially have food. They're also fine with me petting their heads. They just seem to run fast as when my hand goes any close to their underside so I can pick them up. The times I have successfully picked them up they scream like hell and squirm like the world is ending and it makes me feel like such a bad person What can I do?

I'll probably have my boyfriend help me clip their nails (one of us hold them and the other clip), but the way they squirm and scream it's not possible to do it without hurting them.

 

[nuggetandbubs]

I also want to double check their sex but can't do so if I can't pick them up.

 

[Wiebke]

I just got baby guinea pigs around a week ago (6-8 weeks old), and they are already quite tame. They'll eat out of my hand and they let me pet them, they're also fine with sitting in my lap and eat and chill. The issue I've been having is that i cant pick them up by hand, and I will have to do it very soon because their nails need clipping. How can i get them used to being handled? There are people who tell me that I should give them time and that they may never get around to being picked up, but there are also people who say i should pick them up a few times a day, even if they're terrified, so i "force" them to get used to it and understand I'm not going to hurt them. What should i do? I can't afford to go to a vet every time their nails need clipping, also the vet is probably going to do the same job that I could potentially do on my own.

The issue with picking them up by hand isn't that they are scared of my hand. They're very happy when I put my hand in the cage because they know that I potentially have food. They're also fine with me petting their heads. They just seem to run fast as when my hand goes any close to their underside so I can pick them up. The times I have successfully picked them up they scream like hell and squirm like the world is ending and it makes me feel like such a bad person What can I do?

I'll probably have my boyfriend help me clip their nails (one of us hold them and the other clip), but the way they squirm and scream it's not possible to do it without hurting them.

Hi and welcome!

Picking up cuts very closely to their prey animal instincts, so the majority of piggies never come to really like this part.
These tips here may help you since there is a way you can do the pick-up hands-off without any chasing around.
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely

Illustrated Sexing Guide

 

[AlexPiggy]

My girls are 10months old and their back claws are only now needing to be clipped, their fronts are still alright. I found the guides really helpful and from my understanding, many piggies wil always run away when you try to pick them up as they are prey animals with a strong instinct. I have found with my girls that encouraging them into their cardboard tunnel and picking them up in that eases their fear a lot. It's worth trying!

 

[Alisa3114]

I find it much easier to herd them into their hides or tunnels then pick the whole thing up with them inside. If I try to just pick them up they all get in a panic and run around like looneys.

 

[Piggies&buns]

My boys hate being touched or picked up, but they happily run into their pet carrier (they associate it with being put out on the grass) so once they are in the carrier, I can pick them up from that much easier - their make a lot of noise about it, but once I’ve got them held firmly they usually calm down enough for me to do whatever it is I need to do