My guinea pig runs from me

[Angelmoon1804]

[FONT=Times New Roman]When I put my hand in to pick her up she runs all around and away from me. [/FONT]

[tattooyu]

I think most pigs are like that. Picking up a guinea pig involves a lot of chasing (most of the time) for our piggies. They'll most likely get used to it.

Try bribing them with some romaine lettuce or cilantro before/after you do it, so they know it's a good thing.

Funny enough our older pig (10 months) is now more skittish than he was before. Go figure!

[bromers]

Most are like that at first they are very shy animals. Don't get to upset about it. She will get used to you eventually.

[Angelmoon1804]

[FONT='Times New Roman']Thank you that makes me feel better. I thought she did not like me. Also I want to put her on my bed with me to watch TV but I am worried she will run and fall off the bed.[/FONT]

[valerie k]

dont bank on it, plan on her always being this way... its natural and normal becouse for one, the size difference between the two of you. They have instilled preditory instincts in them that they are FOOD for somebody. I have had my pigs for months now... not a one of them comes up to me for anything but treats and food. No treats or food, run like the dickens. As long as they are fine after you pick them up, thats all that counts, and enjoy your lap time. And be wary, we spent almost an hour one day corraling a loose pig in the livingroom.... They can run like thier butts on fire. Dont take it personally, its not you, and its not your piggy, its just nature

[valerie k]

Originally Posted by Angelmoon1804

[FONT=Times New Roman]Thank you that makes me feel better. I thought she did not like me. Also I want to put her on my bed with me to watch TV but I am worried she will run and fall off the bed.[/FONT]

my daughter does this with her pig, we have her (the G Pig) sitting in a cat bed with high sides fleace bottem (round one you buy at the store). They can snuggle together just fine, and I dont have to worry that beans/noodle will fall off the bed. She becomes very content just laying there with my daughter petting her during this special time.

[Angelmoon1804]

[FONT=Times New Roman]That is a good idea thank you [/FONT]

[hammy]

This is definately normal for piggies. One of mine is pretty good about being picked up and doesn't fight too much. But the other one.....oh boy, she doesn't want to be touched, let alone picked up, unless it is on her terms. Usually the only way I can pick her up is to catch her in her chew tube or in her pigloo. And then when I do pick her up she screams at the top of her little lungs. But when they have floor time and I go sit with them, she will run across my feet, jump over my arms, and whatever else as long as I don't move a muscle. If I lift one pinky finger, she runs away from me so fast all I can see is a streak. While the one that doesn't mind it so much will come up to me, plop down right next to me as if to say "Pet me, pet me". So, every piggy is different. You just never know what kind of personality your little piggies will end up with.

[bromers]

dont bank on it, plan on her always being this way

Some arn't though Bromers used to run away from me then now I can stick my hand in there and he won't leg it.

[Angelmoon1804]

[FONT=Times New Roman]This is a lot of great information thanks one more thing I am afraid of putting my hand in front of her I am scared she will bite me.[/FONT]

[jdomans]

Piggies are not prone to biting. They aren't like a hamster in that respect.
Mine scatter like the wind when I go to pick them up. I just keep at it and once I have them, they are very happy.

[TipiDancer]

My pig was very lovable when he was a boar. But now he is a nutcase. He is supposed to get used to me in another 2-4 months. He is about 5 months old But he is trusting me more and more. I am just trying to get him to eat his darn veggies!

[NewToPiggies]

Mine ran from me for about a week . But now i can pick them up no problem. I think its just them learing to trust you and like you.

[Martini]

O, no worries bout that! Piggies seem to want to run from their own shadow let alone the titanic creature that lives with them and looks into their cage. My girls are hard to catch, but once i do they are perfectly fine. With Darla, i can even put a baby carrot in my mouth and she'll grab the other side to play tug-a-war. Though truth be told, i just think she can't stand the idea of someone else eating her carrot. hehe

[csharpmajor]

Yup, just about every pig runs away. It's just instinct. Don't worry about bites, most pigs might bite a little at first because they think your fingers are food, but stop when they figure it out. When I had hamsters and rats I had to make sure my hands didn't smell like food before picking them up but with my pigs I don't even have to worry about that.

[Angelmoon1804]

[FONT=Times New Roman]Thank you so much good now I don’t feel so bad when I try to pick her up . I cant wait to move out of my parents house and I am able to get a lot more guinea pigs. They are so cute[/FONT]