Recommendations for a run

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toddletts

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Hi

I need to get my guinea pigs a run, but there seem to be so many different ones out there with mixed reviews. Do you have any recommendations on which one I should get.

Also, having trouble with them still not wanting to be touched. We have had them for 2 weeks now and they are impossible to touch or pick up. I keep being told that we have to handle them for them to get used to us, but we just can't. One has been chattering her teeth at me when I try and catch her and when she was in the corner and I got to stroke her she held her head up in the air. I believe that all means I should leave her alone. the lady in the pet shop said to hold them close and cover their eyes until they calm down, but she just wriggled like mad and wouldn't be held. most of the time they are too fast to get near. Any ideas?

Thanks.

Sarah
 
Forgot to say, we have cats, so the run needs to be sturdy enough to keep them out.
 
Difficulty picking them up is far from uncommon - piggies don't like the uncertainty of leaving the floor even when they're used to being picked up!

Try a box/soft home/cosy/hidey place that you can lift out of the cage once they're in it. Then stroke them inside that once you've lifted it out. Use the same phrases and 'voice' each time you lift them out. Provide treats once they're out of the cage. Keep at it, the repetition is necessary and the routine becomes more familiar and less scary. They have to overcome a lot of instinctive behaviour to be happy with being picked up, don't be put off by teeth chattering. They may even freeze solid, or nip. Just keep at it, they will reward you with being less and less stressed as time goes on and they learn that this routine won't harm them.

Best of luck!
 
Thanks, Sarah. I managed to stroke one of them tonight and she seems to like it. She closes her eyes when I do it so I hope that's a good sign. :)

I'm looking for an outdoor run. They have a two storey hutch, but only one has mastered the ladder, although even she doesn't go downstairs much, unless her firend is there or I have puts treats in.

Sarah
 
Re the run, I quite like this one

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/rose-rabbit-run-by-pets-at-home-31897

I have a similar one and have had no issues with my cat getting in :)

We made our other runs and they were actually quite cheap to do, the biggest cost was the roll of wire mesh stuff (it is also a pain to cut lol)

As for pickin up, all I can say is as others have, and patience goes a LONG way. My boy JoJo was terrible to pick up and is still a bit tricky, but lots of sitting at the garden table talking to him in his hutch, feeding from my hand, and slow, calm movements means that while he will never love being picked up like some of my others do, he begrudgingly lets me and seems to enjoy a cuddle once hes there!
 
I got a fab one from ebay that's foldable and I paid £70 for it. I'll see if I can find it on there
 
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