Rose and Rosie’s Laptime

Jamston

Jamston

Adult Guinea Pig
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Garstang, Lancashire
I have had Rosie and Rose since Easter and they are now 5 months old roughly. I have built up contact gently over that time and see them everyday for a chat before and after work. Feeding them and cleaning the hutch and run. They are like greased lightning when I go to pick them up. I try and let them climb into snuggle bags, tubes but they get a bit scared when I pick them up. When they are on my lap munching on veggies they are better and settle down until they let me know they want putting back. Anyway should I persevere with them as they are young and still getting to know me or am I really upsetting them and should stop. Here is a couple of pictures of them. D16DE694-9CB0-48A1-9D3C-2F4B5D8DB1E4.webpB1D8A993-80E1-476A-AE11-70C1879EB824.webp
 
I have two guinea pigs as well! I got them when they were only babies I started picking them up and handling as soon as I got them. At first, they were very scared then I started doing more and more floor time a day and associated my hand with things that they like for example veggies and they actually started coming to my hand. Also, a guinea pigs biggest fear is being scooped up by a bird so maybe when you go to pick them up make sure your hand is visible to them.
 
My girls have been much happier at lap time since we bought a cuddle couch, its like a guinea pig sofa bed with raised sides and they feel more secure. I think outdoor hutch piggies are generally less easy to handle as they aren't so used to seeing you around all the time as indoor piggies are? Maybe if they have indoor play time where they just chill out in a playpen and watch you do normal human things they will get more used to you...
Here's a photo of Puggle in her cuddle couch, she's gone all relaxed and pancake shaped which she didnt do so much before!
 

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You are doing the right things. Some piggies are just more skittish and take longer than others. Of my herd of 5 there are 2 who flee like greased lightning if I go to pick them up so I almost always herd them into a tunnel or cosy before lifting them.
Some piggies never like being handled. Others love it. But by building a safe calm routine like you are doing they will get used to it. One of mine is like a cushion on your lap - she just flops out. But another is desperate to get off my lap within seconds of eating whatever herbs are on offer.
 
Thanks I think part of the problem is getting them into a position where they can be picked up and everyone is calm. I think they are just naturally skittish and they were not handled prior to purchase. I will continue with my approach and. Carry on with them getting used to me. Thanks for your replies I really appreciate it.
 
Jamston said:
Thanks I think part of the problem is getting them into a position where they can be picked up and everyone is calm. I think they are just naturally skittish and they were not handled prior to purchase. I will continue with my approach and. Carry on with them getting used to me. Thanks for your replies I really appreciate it.
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Piggies are like children - they thrive on routine. So just carry on doing the same things at the same times and they will get used to being handled. It’s definitely worth persisting.
 
Your girls are gorgeous!

I've had my babies about 2 weeks now (they're only 7 weeks old) and they are so skittish when they're being picked up - they're so hard to catch. However, when they're on the lap they're really chilled out and happy. I don't think you're doing anything wrong, eventually they probably won't mind being picked up. One of my previous piggies, Coco, took about a year before she didn't run away from being picked up. Some piggies are just shyer than others :)
 
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