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Allisonmarie27

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My guinea pigs were becoming buddy buddy and now my oldest taco is becoming like a bully to George he’s always done the dominant thing but it’s becoming borderline harassment at this point George seems more uncomfortable and anxious what do I do
 
Can you provide a bit more information please

How big is their cage and do all hides have two exits?
How old are both the piggies?
How long have they been together?
What exactly is going on between them?

Bullying is a specific set of behaviours which extend beyond dominance and go into one piggy not being allowed to eat and therefore loses weight, becomes withdrawn, constantly being chased out of hides and never allowed to rest, constant mounting and chasing.

If is what is occurring then the bonds in trouble guide below will help you with how to spot it and what to do next. A separation can be used to decipher if their bond is functioning. If you separate and the bullied piggy perks up, looks happier, moves around more, then that is a sign of a dysfunctional bond and a permanent separation is probably needed. The bully will always be upset by the separation so it isn’t his reaction you go by.

Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
 
Great questions from @Piggies&buns. Please take the time to read the threads linked and then to answer our questions as we do need more information if we are to be able to give you useful advice.
 
Keep a very close eye on your bullied pigs weight too. If its serious then the pig will start losing weight and you'll need to act quick.

I hope it's nothing serious :( fingers crossed
 
Piggies&buns said:
Can you provide a bit more information please

How big is their cage and do all hides have two exits?
How old are both the piggies?
How long have they been together?
What exactly is going on between them?

Bullying is a specific set of behaviours which extend beyond dominance and go into one piggy not being allowed to eat and therefore loses weight, becomes withdrawn, constantly being chased out of hides and never allowed to rest, constant mounting and chasing.

If is what is occurring then the bonds in trouble guide below will help you with how to spot it and what to do next. A separation can be used to decipher if their bond is functioning. If you separate and the bullied piggy perks up, looks happier, moves around more, then that is a sign of a dysfunctional bond and a permanent separation is probably needed. The bully will always be upset by the separation so it isn’t his reaction you go by.

Bonds In Trouble
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Click to expand...
Basically they started living together because they both were guinea pigs that were alone they’ve been living together about a month now and I know it’s soon
Taco is about 9 months now and George we think is 7-8 months (we got him a sanctuary so they didn’t have exact dates) they loved being around each other occasionally mounting from both typical dominant thing but recently about a week now taco doesn’t hurt George and they both are eating but taco chases George rumble strutting the whole time anytime George is eating (not all the time but more times than not) while George is trying to also eat their hay pile (he does share but again more times then not he will circle George while rumble strutting until George runs away ) they have a Midwest cage but I also attached a child size play pen to it so they have more than enough space to run and get away from each other both have their own houses and food and tunnels and there are two separate piles of hay even
Taco just seems to like to make George uncomfortable atleast that’s the vibes I’m getting from it there is minimal mounting that happens George will shake him off as soon as he try’s but if George is comfortable taco will run up to him circling and purring or pokes his nose at his butt which George hates just to make him get up and run if I go to pet George taco will immediately run up and nudge George’s face out making him run that way I’m only touching taco
If I give them snacks he will eat his own until he sees George getting one then he try’s to run up on George (usually though we are able to stop that and he’ll go back to his and they’ll be fine he won’t try again) it’s just anytime George leaves his house or does anything taco runs up and does the rumble strut and chase him so it seems until George is uncomfortable
The weird thing about this though is when we separate them George wants to go back into the cage with taco even though he seems uncomfortable around taco
And taco just doesn’t care whenever we separate he just likes the attention of us
 
I also did start working this week as well after being with them every day do you think this can also be a cause of this behavior?
 
Rumbling, mounting, chasing are all normal dominance behaviours. Both your boys are teenagers so there are a lot of hormones going on right now. If there is no fighting, both are allowed to eat, neither are losing weight through not being allowed to eat, George is happy and not withdrawn then you have to just ride the hormones out.
It’s important you also respect their hierarchy. You need to do everything for Taco first - snacks, handling etc.
I don’t think you working more is anything to do with it - you’re dealing with two teenage boars which can be tricky time!

A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Dominance Behaviours In Guinea Pigs
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
 
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