Taming Archie

[5StarPigs]

Hello, so as most of you guys know the bonding with Alfie and Archie was very successful. Yes, there is still rumblestrutting and dominance behaviors from Alfie but that is normal and will go on for a few weeks if I am correct. As I only got Archie Tuesday i have only had him for 4 days. Alfie is very tame and will take food from my hand, let me pick him up and have lap time, and will let me brush him and pet him. Alfie also is very comfortable and he often sleeps outside and not in the hidey huts (he is sleeping in the open as I am writing this) he doesnt mind when you are sitting right next to the cage. Although Archie also doesnt mind when you are sitting right infront of the cage and he will go on with his day like Alfie, he only sleeps in the hidey huts and doesnt let me pick up up easily, pet him easily, groom him, and have lap time. I was wondering, should I wait until Archie is more comfortable to start the taming process? Or should I start now? And how should I tame him?

 

[Jesse's pigs]

I just want to start by saying every guinea pig is different so don't fret that you've done anything wrong for Archie to be nervous. All of my guinea pigs have been extremely tame after a few weeks of bonding, but my most recent addition whom I brought home February is still proving to be a difficult one!

Now with my boys I have always left them to settle for at least week, only handling if extremely necessary (I.e. to clean out or put on grass or floor). I advise giving food whenever you go to Archie, food lets him associate you with a good thing so he's less likely to feel threatened. I also advise just placing your hand in their cage and allowing both boys to come up to you in their own time and smell you, while perhaps talking softly so they get used to your voice. I found leaving YouTube videos or music on in the background helped some of my piggies.

In terms of picking up, some piggies simply dislike the act. My boys for instance are take but both Steve and Bellamy hate being picked up. Though they're more comfortable once I've plopped them down lol.

 

[5StarPigs]

Thanks for the tips! Archie is really taking to hand feeding

I just want to start by saying every guinea pig is different so don't fret that you've done anything wrong for Archie to be nervous. All of my guinea pigs have been extremely tame after a few weeks of bonding, but my most recent addition whom I brought home February is still proving to be a difficult one!

Now with my boys I have always left them to settle for at least week, only handling if extremely necessary (I.e. to clean out or put on grass or floor). I advise giving food whenever you go to Archie, food lets him associate you with a good thing so he's less likely to feel threatened. I also advise just placing your hand in their cage and allowing both boys to come up to you in their own time and smell you, while perhaps talking softly so they get used to your voice. I found leaving YouTube videos or music on in the background helped some of my piggies.

In terms of picking up, some piggies simply dislike the act. My boys for instance are take but both Steve and Bellamy hate being picked up. Though they're more comfortable once I've plopped them down lol.

 

[Wiebke]

Hello, so as most of you guys know the bonding with Alfie and Archie was very successful. Yes, there is still rumblestrutting and dominance behaviors from Alfie but that is normal and will go on for a few weeks if I am correct. As I only got Archie Tuesday i have only had him for 4 days. Alfie is very tame and will take food from my hand, let me pick him up and have lap time, and will let me brush him and pet him. Alfie also is very comfortable and he often sleeps outside and not in the hidey huts (he is sleeping in the open as I am writing this) he doesnt mind when you are sitting right next to the cage. Although Archie also doesnt mind when you are sitting right infront of the cage and he will go on with his day like Alfie, he only sleeps in the hidey huts and doesnt let me pick up up easily, pet him easily, groom him, and have lap time. I was wondering, should I wait until Archie is more comfortable to start the taming process? Or should I start now? And how should I tame him?

Hi!

Please read the bonding guide. It will tell you that the post-bonding dominance phase lasts for around 2 weeks until the bond has fully settled with all the attendant typical behaviours.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars (which has a chapter on introducing boars at home)

Rumble-strutting and mounting are very normal and mild interactive activities in both genders although you generally see them in sows only during the dominance phase, when they come into season or have a hormone spike from ovarian cysts.
Some boars rumble-strut and mount a lot during a day, others occasionally and some onlt rarely, but the behaviour is part and parcel of having a boar pair.

Making friends with a new piggy (although he will pick up cues from his new friend and come round more quickly than otherwise:
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?