Should I not intervene?

5StarPigs

5StarPigs

Teenage Guinea Pig
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Ok so I have just placed Alfie and Archie into the bonding pen after a night in the seperated cage. As of now Alfie is chasing, sniffing rumbling, and trying to hump Archie. Archie is not really letting Alfie hump him. Although when Alfie was humping Archie Archie did a loud WHEEK! I have heard this is a wheek of sumbission? Should I intervene with them? Or should I let Alfie keep chasing Archie and trying to hump him? Archie keeps squeaking but I do not know what it means. A few mins ago they were peacefully eating hay together but not anymore.
 
Isabella_Loves_Guineas said:
Ok so I have just placed Alfie and Archie into the bonding pen after a night in the seperated cage. As of now Alfie is chasing, sniffing rumbling, and trying to hump Archie. Archie is not really letting Alfie hump him. Although when Alfie was humping Archie Archie did a loud WHEEK! I have heard this is a wheek of sumbission? Should I intervene with them? Or should I let Alfie keep chasing Archie and trying to hump him? Archie keeps squeaking but I do not know what it means.
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Please do not interfere at this stage and only separate if they get into a REAL tussle with tension suddenly sky rocketing or a serious really loud teeth chattering fit.
 
You must see the bonding through to an end. You can’t keep separating and reintroducing.
 
Hang on in there.
Piggy bonding is designed to create maximum stress for the humans.
I feel for you - I remember Jemimah and Priscilla having real tussles when they were bonding, nips, scratches and pulled fur. I was encouraged by the forum members to hang on and after about 2 weeks they decided to be best friends
 
Okay, will keep them in here for a few hours and see how it goes. Right now Alfie keeps moving into different spots and laying down. While as Archie keeps trying to get out of the pen and keeps squeaking. Is this bad?
Wiebke said:
Please do not interfere at this stage and only separate if they get into a REAL tussle with tension suddenly sky rocketing or a serious really loud teeth chattering fit.
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Isabella_Loves_Guineas said:
Alfie is sitting down eating hay while Archie is running all over the place and trying to get out. This is stressful.
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Hang on in there. Bonding is always stressful, but so far it is all in the OK and in the milder range.
Bonding happens in rounds, interspersed with eating and resting or doing your own stuff.

Please accept that it is coming up to midnight here in the UK.
 
Yes! But
Isabella_Loves_Guineas said:
Oh ok, well just let me know whenever it is 5:00 for you. I currently have them in the cage right now and they are doing well. Both sleeping. Although I do have alot of questions and concerns.
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Gia said:
Glad to hear they are doing well!
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there is still some rumblestrutting from alfie everytime Archie walks by him.
 
Dominance behaviours will continue for some time. Can be up to a few weeks. As long as they are happy together, both allowed to eat and sleep etc then you are ok
 
I'm available to give advice - although, full disclosure, I have never personally bonded guinea pigs myself. But I feel like I understand their behavior enough to give some advice.
 
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