Still nervous and scared of me

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NocturnalRapport

I've had the pigs for about 3 weeks now and they're still scared of me. They do popcorn, are eating well and playing with each other but as soon as I go near the cage they freeze. If I open the doors they charge into their houses. I have to 'corner' them to pick them up etc.

Only time they'll come near me is when I'm feeding and they will rarely stand still to have their ears stroked but I think this is more out of fear than anything else.

Will they always be like this?

I'd like to let them loose to run around in the living room but the way they are now, I'd never catch them again.

When does this ease or doesn't it?

They're about 4 months old I think.
 
it all depends on the pig. some are natrually scared all the time where some get used to you after a while. try feeding them veg through the bars of there cage and hold the veg while they nibble at it. dont pick them up after though. just let them see that they can trust you without big hands coming after them straight after. try picking them up later in the day or something. they will get better and you will see changes. good luck
:)
 
Three weeks really isn't that long so don't worry. Pigs will naturally run away if they are unsure of anything and some will run away to tell you they don't want to come out to play!

Even my cockiest piggy Benjamin will run for cover when I go to get hold of him - it's natural behaviour. Talk to your piggies to help them get used to you and your voice. Over time, they should become more confident, happily sitting in their cage while you potter around them...might even get brave enough to face the hoover! Even if they don't, it doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them, simply that they are shy piggies...they'll still love you!:)
 
Thats just a normal guinea pog behaviour, even my friendliest pigs will run away at times and hide. Try visiting them very often with their favourite food and hand feed them but dont always pick them up, they may assosiate you with possible yummy food and not always being grabbed :)
 
don't worry, I have 2 sets of 2 girls. Nutmeg and Doughball would let you sit in the cage with them and walk into your hand and not hide but my other two always run for cover! once you get them, they do love a cuddle, I think it's just instinct with some to run for cover. :)
 
i have had mine about that,they still run i corner them to handle them, i have a run in the garden and sit there holding food, they dont come near me half the time, i manged to feed the youngest yesterday but i think its *** he was hungry, i wouldnt worrie hun they will get better
 
It took my boar 6 months before i could tickle his ears and round his face. One still runs for cover when i come near and only comes out when i am sat still...

Keep on feeding them by hand and giving them a cuddle and you should be fine :)

Some piggies just dont like being stroked on the ground and some do :)
 
my piggy will stand and be stroked and freezes while i do it but i dont think its bcos she is scared because she is fearless lol and i know when she wants to come out because she waits in a certain place but still runs when i go to pick her up so it must be instinct!

also i think all piggys are hard to catch when they are on the floor because they wanna stay out lol! the only time my pigs actually climb in my hands to be picked up is if they are on my bed and want to go back in their cage for a wee! (they dont like weeing on people or my bed lol)
 
i have had my 2 boars since Novemeber and i am only just starting to see an improvement, there isnt much more to say than hasnt already been said really. Feeding through the bars seems to be working for me, i go and sit down by there cage so i am at their level and feed them and now they dont run away quite as much and they do come over to the bars when they know its dinnertime!
 
Food is a wonderful bribe! :))

The more you hand feed the more quicker they will come round i found. No sudden movements and do everything slowly whilst you are talking to them nicely and quietly... :)
 
yup thats what i have been doing, i come home and tell them about my day, ask how theirs was (they tell me they've had fun and played all day long) then i give them some dinner (which is all they really want me for) and occassionally i sing to them - not very well i might add, Marley looks at me like I'm crazy but Ozzy seems to like it!
 
I have had my piggies for two weeks, they let me stroke them is I go in really slow but another time they run for cover!

I let them run around the hall, as it smaller than the lounge and makes it easier to catch them :))

I sit with them in the hall and they have started running round me and walking over my feet! I get them out every day so they are getting used to be handled.
 
i've had my gilbert for about 2 weeks and he's getting better. i think he recognizes my voice. i always hand feed him his veggies and associate the bagg and fridge door sounds to food. so once i make those sounds or say his name in a sweet voice he'll start popcorning everywhere. he lets me pet his head at times but not near his bum **** since hes a boy. picking him up is really hard for me still. so when i let him out i corner him to a box and he goes in and then i carry him back to his cage.

well good luck. I'm really happy with my gilbert(: hes making lots of improvement and I'm sure one day ill get to hold him <3 :)
 
Give them time, but sometimes piggies will still run away even when you have had them for ages. It just depends on their personality. Also it is their natural instinct which they can't help.

Do it gradually. Just try to tickle them under their chin to start with, then their ears, then their head to gain their confidence. Never grab them from above or behind, always approach them from the front and try to pop your hand under their tummy with one hand while your other hand slips over their back.

Hope all the comments have helped.
 
To cut down on the flight instict, I train my guinea pigs to come into their "walkie" box (an upturned rabbit hut with hay in and an old kitchen towel over the top). The quickest "catch-on" was three weeks, while others it took longer.

Just put some food in the back and let them discover it and even have a little undisturbed nap in it at first. Next day, put the hut in front of the pig and gently coach it in with a "walkiewalkiewalkie" and carry it out to the run. Give it generous praise.

Once the piggy realises that it won't be chased and handled, it will come in quite willingly. I never touch them when inside (despite the temptation!), but I've been more than once grateful for the box when retrieving a panicky escapee or a naughty pig that didn't want to come back home.

You also might find it useful to invent a little phrase with its own melody when you want to pick them up. That way they know when you mean it and won't panic so much. Always lavish praise on them whenever they do something "right" - they'll lap it up!
 
I have had my two piggles for 3 weeks, and they are getting better but still duck for cover when the hutch is opened and if they see something move :red
 
Each piggy is so different but persevere. One of my girls was so shy when I first got her but now she comes running to me when I go in the room. It took ages to bond with her but it will eventually come. On the other extreme, I have a boar (montgomery) who leaps out of his cage into my arms . He is pretty much a free ranger when I'm home and never piddles anywhere excepts in certain corners in his room. He is also very vocal and it is so funny to hear him pattering about upstairs and chattering away!
 
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