Towel Wrapping Piggies To Tame Them

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Chukkin

Chukkin

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Hey everyone,

Looking for some advice. I have yet to introduce my pair of girls to lap time (had them less than a week) and I have read about an apparently fail-proof method of taming them and getting them used to being held by wrapping them in a towel, which is supposed to mimic them hiding and thus making them feel more secure.

Has anyone actually tried this? There is a video on Youtube if anyone's interested. Does it really work that well? What do I do if piggy wriggles free?
 
Good for asking us first :) (i always do that just encase theres a reason not to) i dont see a problem but i think you should just go for it talk to them though that always helps and call them bye there name so they get used to it hope it all goes well :)
 
Yeah, I figured asking people in the know would be better since this is my first time with piggies and I want to make sure I'm doing the right things. Currently, things are going really well, both are eating out of my hand (nervously!) and I've seen a couple of popcorns! I really want to get them used to being handled, I would LOVE to be able to sit with them on my lap in the evening and just have them enjoy being with me and being stroked and cuddled. I know that this will probably take months of work, and some guinea pigs just don't have that type of nature, but it would be amazing...
 
Towel wrapping is fine if you need to medicate an uncooperative piggy, but it is not endearing you to them!

The best way is to pick up your piggies in some kind of conveyance, like a tunnel or a suitable cosy, then cuddle them on a blanket on your lap. if they are very nervous, use a second blanket or the other half of your lap blanket to cover them and give them a feeling of safety. Tuck the edges of the upper blanket under so they cannot fall off your lap.
Talk to them gently the whole time, be lavish in your praise and move slowly and deliberately in order not to spook them. Take them back when they get wiggly, which will probably be after 5-10 minutes at first (unless they fall asleep!).
You can start to extend the time once they are comfy with the procedure...
 
Ah, I see, thank you Wiebke! I have ordered a CavyCozy (big enough for two adult piggies) and could use that to pick them up in...
 
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