Super timid girl to big brave piggie

Jasmined

Jasmined

New Born Pup
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Has any one ever had a really timid guinea pig suddenly get really brave?
I have a relatively young sow who was THE most timid pig I’ve ever come across, I did my best to make her comfortable with people, other GPs, noises whatever (she was scared of everything haha) and she didn’t show very much improvement or was very slow to progress then suddenly it’s like a switch has flipped and in the last week or two she’s suddenly so outgoing. Which is great to see! I’m very happy to see her enjoying life but just wondered if any one else has had a sudden taming.
Or could it even be seen as a worrying change in behaviour?
Picture of little pearl for reference:)
 

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That’s so lovely! Your patience and work with her has paid off!

With my shy boy it wasn’t sudden, it was a long process! He wouldn’t come near me, hid when I approached etc. After about a year he decided he didn’t need to hide when I went into their shed, but he was not going to accept me as a friend. Then about six months ago, and by that point they’d been with me 18 months, he decided I’m actually quite a nice lady and that when I offer him food it’s not a trap and that accepting my coriander gift gives us both a nice feeling! They’ve been with me for just over two years now and he is actively coming to the front of the cage when I approach. The other piggy has no idea what the fuss is about as he’s been doing it since not long after they moved in!
 
Jasmined said:
Has any one ever had a really timid guinea pig suddenly get really brave?
I have a relatively young sow who was THE most timid pig I’ve ever come across, I did my best to make her comfortable with people, other GPs, noises whatever (she was scared of everything haha) and she didn’t show very much improvement or was very slow to progress then suddenly it’s like a switch has flipped and in the last week or two she’s suddenly so outgoing. Which is great to see! I’m very happy to see her enjoying life but just wondered if any one else has had a sudden taming.
Or could it even be seen as a worrying change in behaviour?
Picture of little pearl for reference:)
Click to expand...

The change when frightened piggies decide that they are safe and loved, and when they finally relax and trust can be magical, can't it? It's what has got me hooked on adopting. Not every piggy is sadly ever able to jump fully over their shadow if trauma is running too deep, but they will still let you know that they inherently trust you.

It usually takes months or even years rather than weeks, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences.

These two guides here will help you understand how things look from a piggy perspective:
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
 
It is an amazing feeling. All those 'first moments' fill you with complete joy. The funniest for me was when Merry got confident enough to not let the girls take treats from him. Pepper went as usual to snatch his lettuce from him and he ran away from her with the lettuce in his mouth. I think I actually cheered!
 
How lovely :love: What a gorgeous girl:love:
It’s so lovely when they get braver, my little (ahem!) girl Aliona was a really fearful girl when I took her on in January and it took a few months to get her to even take food from me, not long ago she actually ate the first bit of food ever while sitting on my knee and I was chuffed, over 7 months in! I’m hoping I might get a little stroke in the near future but even my massively confident boy Luigi doesn’t allow that very often and he’s been here 13 months now! :))
Hope she keeps feeling more confident bless her :luv:
 
Piggies&buns said:
That’s so lovely! Your patience and work with her has paid off!

With my shy boy it wasn’t sudden, it was a long process! He wouldn’t come near me, hid when I approached etc. After about a year he decided he didn’t need to hide when I went into their shed, but he was not going to accept me as a friend. Then about six months ago, and by that point they’d been with me 18 months, he decided I’m actually quite a nice lady and that when I offer him food it’s not a trap and that accepting my coriander gift gives us both a nice feeling! They’ve been with me for just over two years now and he is actively coming to the front of the cage when I approach. The other piggy has no idea what the fuss is about as he’s been doing it since not long after they moved in!
Click to expand...
Oh bless them! It’s such a lovely feeling when they finally come around ☺️
 
Wiebke said:
The change when frightened piggies decide that they are safe and loved, and when they finally relax and trust can be magical, can't it? It's what has got me hooked on adopting. Not every piggy is sadly ever able to jump fully over their shadow if trauma is running too deep, but they will still let you know that they inherently trust you.

It usually takes months or even years rather than weeks, but it is one of the most rewarding experiences.

These two guides here will help you understand how things look from a piggy perspective:
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
Arrival in a home from the perspective of pet shop guinea pigs
Click to expand...
Thank you Wiebke for the link. It is a great feeling when they do trust!
Ive been thinking of fostering for a local rescue but the chance of me being able to let them go is slim - my landlord wouldn’t appreciate it I’m sure 😂
 
Zanzan said:
It is an amazing feeling. All those 'first moments' fill you with complete joy. The funniest for me was when Merry got confident enough to not let the girls take treats from him. Pepper went as usual to snatch his lettuce from him and he ran away from her with the lettuce in his mouth. I think I actually cheered!
Click to expand...
Ohhh! So cute, you always end up secretly rooting for the underdog in the group!
 
alpacasqueak said:
How lovely :love: What a gorgeous girl:love:
It’s so lovely when they get braver, my little (ahem!) girl Aliona was a really fearful girl when I took her on in January and it took a few months to get her to even take food from me, not long ago she actually ate the first bit of food ever while sitting on my knee and I was chuffed, over 7 months in! I’m hoping I might get a little stroke in the near future but even my massively confident boy Luigi doesn’t allow that very often and he’s been here 13 months now! :))
Hope she keeps feeling more confident bless her :luv:
Click to expand...
Aww so lovely! I think this must be how parents feel when their babies say their first words/take their first steps 😂
 
My Ginger was very skittish and scared of her own shadow when we got her from the local animal rescue, she was quite young back in March probably 5 or 6 months old, now she is confident and very friendly, loves a stroke and a cuddle now too x
 
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