Taming guinea pig

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Zhi Heng

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Hi all, I've had my guinea pigs for 10mths already. They got to the current stage of tameness very quickly, abt within a mth after I had them where they allow hand feeding and petting. However, they still hate lap time as they hate being on my lap, my young gp don't mind being petted when he is on the floor but once I place him on my lap he will try to get off immediately. N if I hold him down he will struggle, so I don't do lap time anymore cuz I think it isn't nice to do things he doesn't like. I just want them to be happy, and not 'flaunt' my superior size n strength to tell them they have no point trying to struggle. However, I've been seeing a good number of articles for the past 10mths and now even from a shelter, which often encourage regular handling n pickinh them up. I understand n believe that my guinea pigs will eventually be calm n accept that picking up isn't really harmful or a bad thing, n might eventually not struggle, making handling them alot more enjoyable. Cuz I do want to spend time with them while I do other othings too like when I watch TV or read books (which I now can't cuz they enclosure aren't in the living room n that room they are in doesn't have WiFi so everytime I spend time with them I can't do anything else, n it often gets boring cuz all I can do everyday is watch them cuz they dont like being picked up, which makes me visit them only at list twice a day) but I don't know if its morally right or if its mean if me to carry them/ have lap time against their will:( a part of me think its good n they might eventually be calm abt picking up n we can even have a closer bond which they will be grateful of, but a part of me still think its morally wrong. what r your thoughts?
 
I would be so happy if they can interact more with me (cuz currently only interaction is hand feeding) such as cuddling or sitting on my lap as I do other things. BUT I have nvr done it cuz i keep feel like it's morally wrong despite the numerous articles that encourage regular handling. I would do it if only I can convince myself it isn't morally wrong n that they will eventually be grateful too for the closer bond and not only become mroe tamed cuz they 'give up' on struggling cuz they know they can't over power me... They hate being groomed too n will struggle n really scream like hell when I comb their hair but it's a necessary evil (for the first 8mths I didn't comb their hair cuz they hate it n it always get matted) so now i do it n try to be as quick as possible n quickly put them back to the cage as they run off to their house. (tho a rescuer told me that a good taming method, is to hold them down in the cage until they calm down then let them go, but I still feel its mean n morally wrong) it would be good if they become take n not fear picking up, where I can bring them out regularly to spend time with me/ cuddle/ groom but I only want do it if it's the right thing to do. I just want to be a nice owner, n let my guinea pigs feel happy n bonded with me tho I don't know if perhaps they do need the 'extra push' to help overcome their fear.
 
Zhi Heng said:
I would be so happy if they can interact more with me (cuz currently only interaction is hand feeding) such as cuddling or sitting on my lap as I do other things. BUT I have nvr done it cuz i keep feel like it's morally wrong despite the numerous articles that encourage regular handling. I would do it if only I can convince myself it isn't morally wrong n that they will eventually be grateful too for the closer bond and not only become mroe tamed cuz they 'give up' on struggling cuz they know they can't over power me... They hate being groomed too n will struggle n really scream like hell when I comb their hair but it's a necessary evil (for the first 8mths I didn't comb their hair cuz they hate it n it always get matted) so now i do it n try to be as quick as possible n quickly put them back to the cage as they run off to their house. (tho a rescuer told me that a good taming method, is to hold them down in the cage until they calm down then let them go, but I still feel its mean n morally wrong) it would be good if they become take n not fear picking up, where I can bring them out regularly to spend time with me/ cuddle/ groom but I only want do it if it's the right thing to do. I just want to be a nice owner, n let my guinea pigs feel happy n bonded with me tho I don't know if perhaps they do need the 'extra push' to help overcome their fear.
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Hi and welcome

Please take the time to read these guides here; the tips in them really work because you are using guinea pig behaviours to interact with them, which they understand immediately. Avoid triggering their prey animal instincts.
Please also be aware that building up trust with a prey animal species takes time. Trust is like a plant needs to make deep roots first before it can grow and flower. Most people think that guinea pigs are living cuddly toys. They are not!
How Do I Settle Shy New Guinea Pigs?
Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips
How To Pick Up And Weigh Your Guinea Pig

Understanding interactive guinea pig behaviours: Bonding: Illustrated Dominance Behaviours And Dynamics

As to grooming: please keep any hairs in long-haired guinea pigs very short in the back end and around the genitals and legs. This prevents the worst matting. Also keep the underlayer of long hairs shorter on the sides and on the belly/front.
In hot weather give your guinea pigs a short haircut. The long hair is like walking in a skisuit on a tropical beach.
If your piggies absolutely hate grooming, I would recommend to give them all over shorter haircuts so grooming is no longer painful. That takes the stress out for both of you. Remember that long-haired guinea pigs have been created for the enjoyment of humans, not for their own fun!

You can find more guides via this link here. We are addressing specifically the areas we get the most questions and concerns about from new owners with information that is as practical and helpful as possible. Our advice is based on/surpasses current welfare recommendations. Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides
 
Should I handle them often tho, many articles always say to handle them often n I dunno if I should cuz my gp hate being handled. Like shld I cuddle with them as I read at the end of the article u shared that u shld always hold them in your arms when on the sofa to avoid blind jumping. Or shld I just not handle them at all/ like don't pick them up or have lap time. Cuz for the past 10mths I dun carry lap time as they hate it. I only pick them up only when I clean the cage or let them out for floor time. Other than that I don't touch them
 
Zhi Heng said:
Should I handle them often tho, many articles always say to handle them often n I dunno if I should cuz my gp hate being handled. Like shld I cuddle with them as I read at the end of the article you shared that you shld always hold them in your arms when on the sofa to avoid blind jumping. Or shld I just not handle them at all/ like don't pick them up or have lap time. Cuz for the past 10mths I dun carry lap time as they hate it. I only pick them up only when I clean the cage or let them out for floor time. Other than that I don't touch them
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I usually start handling once my guinea pigs trust me enough to pick food from my hands. Follow the tips on lap time and take the time to read the guides.
 
My guinea pig are always okay with hand feeding tbh since day 1. But I nvr handle them cuz they always hated it.
 
I got a little mini animal clipper/shaver and it’s great for clipping around the back end of my long haired piggie. And for clipping off any little matted bits. And piggie doesn’t mind it either. The vet suggested it.
 
My piggies don’t really like being held.
Phoebe just wants to run free and is ok being stroked in the cage but definitely not being held.
Jemimah is older and tolerates lap time but only occasionally. She likes being petted in the cage.
Priscilla accepts lap time as long as the dill or the cucumber lasts. She requires grooming as she’s long haired, but because she won’t stay still for long she has some strange hair dos.
Be patient and allow them to let you know what they like or don’t like.
 
Merab's Slave said:
My piggies don’t really like being held.
Phoebe just wants to run free and is ok being stroked in the cage but definitely not being held.
Jemimah is older and tolerates lap time but only occasionally. She likes being petted in the cage.
Priscilla accepts lap time as long as the dill or the cucumber lasts. She requires grooming as she’s long haired, but because she won’t stay still for long she has some strange hair dos.
Be patient and allow them to let you know what they like or don’t like.
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Noted, I have accepted the approach of just doing things they want etc instead of the alternative approach that many guinea pig owners I know have adopted where they handle them very often so that they gp eventually feel comfortable n get used to it. I have nvr done anything my gp doesn't like unless absolutely necessary. Just that rcently I have been seeing quite a number of articles n advices from shelters n rescuers to handle them often n I'm am now unsure of which is the best n right approach to adopt. Cuz while I understand that I shldnt make them uncomfortable n do things they dw, I do get the opinion of the other approachh too, it's like humans sometimes when they are so afraid of something, they need someone to push them out of their comfort zone in order to overcome their fears which they will eventually be grateful for. But I don't know if this applies to GP too n if they need the extra push.
 
Totally agree with all the advice given so far and understand your attitude of if you pig isn't happy then you don't want to upset it. As merab explains many pigs have different personalities and some pigs just don't like lap time. I find that if I hold my piggies closer to my chest supporting their bottoms, particularly Willow, and Lois, they almost feel safer and less "out in the open" than simply sitting on my lap, however Honey, my OAP, had grown to love laptime and I would happily just have her chilling on my bed knowing full well she isn't scared or upset about this. Maybe your pigs just won't be a fan of laptime, but if I were you, I would handle them short times and fairly regularly, just for the essentials of health checks, grooming. Hope this helps and good luck!
 
Noted I will just handle them when absolutely necessary as I have always done so far. Just that cuz of the different opinion get from experts that I was confused.
 
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