Please can i have some advice!

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HorseyyHannah

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Hello, first time posting on here but thought this would be a good place to get some advice.

On sauturday, i became mummy of two piggies, Archie and Douglas who are both 8-10weeks old.

They are both very nervous, Douglas is the better out of the two but still very nervous. Basically, their hutch is double tier, but they cannot use the ramp yet, so therefore, if they do go down into their run, i have to lift them back up and they hate it. So, should i be carrying them daily, which involves me for atleast 2 mins trying to catch them, or just be trying to stroke them (which is impossible) please help! :))
 
Your guinea pigs are prey animals and bound to be nervous. The best thing you can do is to pick them up each day to get them used to you. You can try feeding them some nice vegetables while they are on your lap to get them used to you.
 
piggyfan said:
Your guinea pigs are prey animals and bound to be nervous. The best thing you can do is to pick them up each day to get them used to you. You can try feeding them some nice vegetables while they are on your lap to get them used to you.
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Okay thank-you, so you would recommend me handling them daily? Was not sure what was the best option. Thank-you
 
I have a 3 1/2 year old piggie who I've had since she was little, and she still doesn't like being picked up, but loves being cuddled! Have patience, be consistent and know that it is a scary experience for them. Even if they run, carry on trying and know it will be worth it when you have them on your lap! :))
I agree that you could use a hidey hole to pick them up, and I would say too that once you have them, give them a little veggies so they learn to associate cuddles with happiness and food :)) It's a good time to find out their favourites and hand-feeding will help them get used to you.
 
Raven said:
Cosy sacks are good, both for catching the piggies and helping them to settle on your lap.

http://www.cavycozies.com/apps/webstore/products/show/1344269

Be patient, the taming process can take a while, but it's well worth it!
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my guinea pigs HATE being caught, but will lick me when they're having cuddles.
so i use cosy sacks to 'catch' them and carry them over to me. it's easier, and they feel safer and less threatened.
it's definitely worth investing in them!
 
Ive had my boys for 3 months, and its only now that I can put my hand in their cage and stroke them without them running away.

I pick them up in a cosy, and they are a lot more at ease with that rather than chasing them around for a while with my hands, which must be a very stressful experience for them.

Be patient, it will take time but it will be worth it.
 
first_time_piggie_mum said:
Ive had my boys for 3 months, and its only now that I can put my hand in their cage and stroke them without them running away.

I pick them up in a cosy, and they are a lot more at ease with that rather than chasing them around for a while with my hands, which must be a very stressful experience for them.

Be patient, it will take time but it will be worth it.
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Thank-you, so would you suggest handling them daily?
 
Handle them regularly when they have settled in enough not to be completely frightened of you. Most guinea pigs that don't come from rescues have not had much human contact and are running on their prey animal instincts being in completely new surroundings. It just takes much more time at first than most people would expect, but your patience will win the day.

Most piggies won't use ramps at first; they will explore once they are comfy with one level. Some people use fabric tunnels to make steep ramps safer.

Here are more tips that may help you: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239
 
Wiebke said:
Handle them regularly when they have settled in enough not to be completely frightened of you. Most guinea pigs that don't come from rescues have not had much human contact and are running on their prey animal instincts being in completely new surroundings. It just takes much more time at first than most people would expect, but your patience will win the day.

Most piggies won't use ramps at first; they will explore once they are comfy with one level. Some people use fabric tunnels to make steep ramps safer.

Here are more tips that may help you: http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=36239
Click to expand...

Brilliant thank-you, Archie uses the ramp to go down to the run, whilst douglas has not. Douglas is considerably more friendly and is happy to let you stroke him, therefore i tend to carry him down to the run whilst he is not using the ramp as thats where the tunells are etc archie is extremely timid and just runs away, but uses the ramp to go down to the run. Neither of them have worked out to how use the ramp to go back up so i have to carry them up at night.

Thank-you for all the responses x
 
Neither of my girls would use their ramp until I bought a fabric tunnel that velcros to the ramp, the lady that makes then does them to the length of your ramp. Now they happily charge up and down the ramp/tunnel, was a great investment as otherwise I don't think they would ever have used their ramp!
 
Well what a result for me then as both piggies have gone up and down the ramp today! brilliant stuff, thanks guys x
 
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