Pulling on clothes/ training?

[GuineaDigs]

Hi all,

One of my pigs has a new habit of pulling at my clothes. I've heard they do this when they need to go back- but i think he's learnt this and now starts grabbing at my clothes as soon as i pick him up.

I've tried ignoring it, and i've tried putting my hand between him and my clothes. He seems to find that stressful and scrabbles until he gets hold of my clothes again.

Does anyone have any tips on how to stop this behaviour? My other pig is fine.

Regards,

Erin

 

[Wiebke]

Hi all,

One of my pigs has a new habit of pulling at my clothes. I've heard they do this when they need to go back- but i think he's learnt this and now starts grabbing at my clothes as soon as i pick him up.

I've tried ignoring it, and i've tried putting my hand between him and my clothes. He seems to find that stressful and scrabbles until he gets hold of my clothes again.

Does anyone have any tips on how to stop this behaviour? My other pig is fine.

Regards,

Erin

Hi!

Use some piggy whispering tricks to assert your authority and tell your piggy that behaviour like that is not welcome in their own language and in a way and social context that makes therefore total sense.

You may find the advice in these links here helpful:
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?

 

[GuineaDigs]

Hi!

Use some piggy whispering tricks to assert your authority and tell your piggy that behaviour like that is not welcome in their own language and in a way and social context that makes therefore total sense.

You may find the advice in these links here helpful:
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig Safely
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Who is the boss - your guinea pig or you?

Thanks Wiebke,

So from the links it seems that when he starts pulling at my clothes i should stroke his ears/ eyes and then use my face to push his nose in the air? I'm not sure he is smart enough to relate the nose pushing to the clothes pulling, unless i grab him really quickly

 

[Wiebke]

Thanks Wiebke,

So from the links it seems that when he starts pulling at my clothes i should stroke his ears/ eyes and then use my face to push his nose in the air? I'm not sure he is smart enough to relate the nose pushing to the clothes pulling, unless i grab him really quickly

You fondle his ears (telling him that he is a welcome member of your group); then you gently stroke the area around his eyes (which means that you love and appreciate him).

Tell him no if he pulls on clothes and when that doesn't work, gently force his chin up with your finger.
Fondle his ears and eyes again to reassure him that he is still a welcome member of your group but one that has been misbehaving. Repeat as often as necessary.

This mimics how my socially most adept piggies deal with their mates.

 

[GuineaDigs]

You fondle his ears (telling him that he is a welcome member of your group); then you gently stroke the area around his eyes (which means that you love and appreciate him).

Tell him no if he pulls on clothes and when that doesn't work, gently force his chin up with your finger.
Fondle his ears and eyes again to reassure him that he is still a welcome member of your group but one that has been misbehaving. Repeat as often as necessary.

This mimics how my socially most adept piggies deal with their mates.

Thank you i will give this a try!