I can't tame my Guinea Pigs :(

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

First of all, these sound like normal guinea pig behaviors. Part of your problem is that you're terrified that they'll bite you. You have to stop being so afraid of them. Guinea pigs very rarely bite, and usually when they do it out of extreme fear, because they're in pain, or accidental in the case of breaking up a fight.

I think it's extremely cruel that you would give away a guinea pig to the SPCA because it's not as tame as you want it to be. They are naturally skittish animals, and some that I've had for YEARS are still very scared of me, and will only rarely come out and grab vegetables. Removing her also takes away your youngest pig's friend, and it's not kind to keep them alone, they're herd animals, and they like to have a friend.

Please be patient and stop being afraid of your guinea pig. They are very gentle creatures who are not prone to biting.

I had to seperate the two pigs from each other because the older one is very violent towards the smaller pig.

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by PiggieMom

It is generally true. But I think it is very rash of you to give up your pig because it is scared of you. Have you treated them for mites? How long have you had them? What kind of cage do you keep them in? When you handdle them do you wash your hands first? Hold them in a dim quiet place? Do you handle them gently? Many people here have adopted older guinea pigs (including me) who are not used to human contact and had aggression problems. They have to learn to trust you. I think a big problem is that you are putting them down or stop trying to pick them up when they "go to bite you" they know if they act like that they will get what they want which is to be left alone. Animals can sense when you fear them. Handle them with confidence and they will know it. I have yet to be bitten hard by any of my pigs. My two girls that I adopted were never handled before I adopted them and they are almost two. Others have seen more drastic turn arounds. It is your responsibility as a pet owner to love your pig no matter what problems it has.

At the moment I keep the smallest one in a commercial cage, and the other one in a grid and coroplast cage.

I have had the youngest one for about 4 months and the smallest one just recently about a week ago

[Jennicat]

So you put them together and they fought? How big is your cage? How did you introduce them? How were they "violent"? They've got to settle dominance first, and "violent" behaviors are often just dominance behaviors which are completely normal.

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by pennick

My piggy headbutts me when she doesn't want to be petted on her head. She prefers being stroked down her back. Your piggy is telling you to lay off the head. Try another area. It took her approx. 6 months to allow me to pet her without her running away.

My other piggy wheeked her head off when I gave her lap time to try to get her use to me. You would think she was going to slaughter. Now 5 months down the line she allows me to stroke her head from time to time depending on her mood. I haven't given the new one much attention so I don't expect much.

You have to be very very patient and continue to socialize with them. You have to be able to understand their language. Stay off your piggys head. Continue to give the young piggy lap time with treats. She will simmer down in time.

My Guinea Pig abhors me stroking anywhere near his back, and also his head its frustrating

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

So you put them together and they fought? How big is your cage? How did you introduce them? How were they "violent"? They've got to settle dominance first, and "violent" behaviors are often just dominance behaviors which are completely normal.

When I first introduced them it was on a neutral ground, I changed the bedding of the cage and put in newly washed towels. The youngest one began sniffing Fifi's 'bum', and Fifi hated it and she bite and chatter her teeth. The smallest one would end up hiding in her litter box but would soon be stalked by Fifi trying to get into the box. I didn't want any serious injuries so I seperated them.

Was I wrong to do so?

[Jennicat]

That sounds like very normal behavior to me. There's going to probably be quite a bit of chasing, teeth chattering, and even mounting, but you have to let them work it out so they can be friends.

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

That sounds like very normal behavior to me. There's going to probably be quite a bit of chasing, teeth chattering, and even mounting, but you have to let them work it out so they can be friends.

And if there is blood?

[Jennicat]

If there's blood, then seperate.

[BabyGrl]

If there is blood you need to seperate. I have a pig who will not live in a cage with another pig. However he loves to be around the other guys in the cage next to him. They give each other kisses through the bars but he will not share his living space. Just because they don't get along in the same living area does not mean they don't want the companionship. I only skimmed the posts so I don't know if you said you had treated them for mites, but if you have not you might want to. That could be why you pig does not like to be petted.

[Sviega]

This may sound stupid to you, but when I got my first pig he would bite me all the time. In fact I once posted that I was thinking about getting rid of him. He doesn't bite me anymore. He may nip me when he has to go potty and wants to be put back in the cage but it is just a pinch.

This is what I did. I would wrap him in a baby's fleece reciving blanket and hold him in my lap. Then when he made noises I would sing to him. I found out that he liked certain songs and that he responded to them. It seemed to make him gentle.

[hanafoshanna]

Originally Posted by BabyGrl

If there is blood you need to seperate. I have a pig who will not live in a cage with another pig. However he loves to be around the other guys in the cage next to him. They give each other kisses through the bars but he will not share his living space. Just because they don't get along in the same living area does not mean they don't want the companionship. I only skimmed the posts so I don't know if you said you had treated them for mites, but if you have not you might want to. That could be why you pig does not like to be petted.

Sorry to sound so ignorant but what exactly are 'kisses?'

[fairysari]

I agree with BabyGrl, it is probably a good idea to treat them for mites. If they have mites, it would be very uncomfortable to be touched.

One of my boys used to the head nudge thing when I pet his head from front to back, but now he will stand still the cage for me to pet his nose, but he likes it best if I pet the hair forwards towards his nose. Neither of myu pigs has ever bit me, but one of them will lick my fingers, and the other will nibble VERY gently. Maybe when you think your pig is going to bite, she is just going to give you licks or nibbles.

[Wheek Weak]

Our pigs nibble and bite on our fingers and hands all the time when we pick them up. Even though they love to be taken out and played with, cuddled, groomed, fussed over, etc.

One thing we do (that you might try) is take both hands and stroke them down their sides from head to bottom a few times (while talking to them very quietly and gently) before we pick them up. It seems to relax them and it does make it easier to then just pluck them up without much fuss.

[attackofthebear]

Why did you come to this site? For help?
I'm curious to know the answer to this question because we have given you a few things to try and you just keep saying no. It seems like you are refusing to take our advice. We want to help you but you have to let us. I dont understand giving up. That shouldnt be a possibility. I know you have tried but keep trying. The results will reflect what you put into it. If you put your heart and soul into something, its going to turn out alot better than just doing it because you have to.

About putting them in the same cage. It will take a few days to get them used to each other and once you do, you can't get rid of one because it could cause multiple problems, such as depression and death for both piggies.
They will snap at each other and chatter. Thats just scheduling dominance.
I actually did this with my original four group, which only has three in it now, and three others because one of the original four was acting very depressed. At first they all just got really fuzzy, which makes them look bigger, and chattered at each other and some snapped but most just sniffed and showed their teeth and the dominance scheduled itself out within three to four days. That group just keeps growing because now it has eight in it. And the depressed piggy is no longer depressed.

A few of my pigs like to make a chewing noise when they are out of their cage but none of them bite me unless I actually let them. Most of mine are scared to bite. They may have food in their mouth and just be chewing it too. You havent had them that long so give them time. Basically imagine going into a place that you had never been before, you don't speak their language and they looked like giants to you. I think it would take a long time to get used to that. Four months isnt that long, but the pigs should be recognizing you as their caregiver for food at the least. You cant feel sorry for the piggy when it crys unless you've had it out for 15 minutes or so. Otherwise your teaching it to get its way everytime you take it out.

You also NEED to treat your guinea pig for mites if they have them.
Don't give up on you guinea pigs.
Animals have a sense of your fear or judgment, such as giving up, by the tone of your voice, to the way you walk. They can sense it as long as you believe it.
Right now the life of your guinea pigs are in your hands and as long as you care for them and give them the proper attention and time they need, then they will come around to atleast squeak for treats and take treats from your hand. It could be the pigs personality, it's different with every guinea pig, but alot of it depends on what you do. Some pigs need more attention than others and the sooner you start, the more likely you are to see results.
Good luck and please keep trying. In the long run you wont regret it.

[I_Want_A_Piggy]

Your luck you can even try to pet your piggy, mine is like super fast and when I go near her she ends up taking off running, she is almost a free range piggy, her cage is over half my room! Lol. Well you could try bribing them with veggies or special foods. That is what I do. She loves when I give her a special treat, give them something you usually don't, and maybe instead of trying to bite they will know you are being nice, and not the big mean hand.

[BabyGrl]

Originally Posted by hanafoshanna

Sorry to sound so ignorant but what exactly are 'kisses?'

When they rub noses through the grids.

[redinque]

When you hesitate from the guinea, fearing he will bite you, he will sense that. He learns that if he acts aggressively, you will not pick him up. Learned behavior. Say if you always ring a bell before feeding, they will know to come. Guinea pigs have a hierachy and perhaps your guinea pig thinks he's more dominant than you! I had a friend come over and try to pick up the guinea pig, but he was afraid of scaring or hurting them, but I told him he just has to do it. I don't think they'll ever like being picked up, but they won't bite. They've nipped a bit before, thinking my fingers were food (their vision isn't so good), but it never was that hard.

In any case, show him who's the boss!

[Baba Yaga]

Actually I am used to my girls trying to nip at us all the time. It's more to check if our hands are edible (smell like fruit we eat) rather than a spiteful bite, and it never draws blood or hurts. Maybe you should see if that's not what yours are doing.
Also, we just introduced a new baby (4 weeks old) to our three ladies (all are adults). Now and then I hear some teeth chattering when the little girl tries to get into a house occupied by the older piggies, sometimes they will snap at her but it's all for a show and they don't hurt each other. It sounds worse than it is, so maybe just observe how yours act when in their cage. A little over a year ago, when two of my girls were still kids they actually fought but I believe they just really didn't like how narrow their cage was (2 by 5 grids). The moment we let them roam on the floor and made their cage more squareish they were just peachy. Maybe your kids are just going through those Difficult Teenage Issues
In any case, I will repeat what everyone else here has suggested- don't give up, don't give away your piggie, be more patient and relaxed. They'll work it out eventually.
Good Luck!

[muffin]

Try not to feel too bad. It took my piggers a while to come around to the whole lap-time idea too. There was a point where I thought they would always hate it, but little by little they are really settling down. One seems to enjoy it, the other less so, but she puts up with it. At seven months old your piggy is still vetry young. Some of them take up to a year before they start to calm down. My piggies sometimes 'argue' quite seriously, with chasing and the dominant one forcing the less dominant one to stay in one corner. They soon get over it though and get back to being friends. I think they just have to make sure they both know who's boss now and then. Only seperate your piggies if blood is drawn. It's so hard not to seperate them when they are exhibiting dominance behaviour, but it's the only way to let them sort things out. I would think your youngest piggy would back down way before anyone got hurt. With the older one biting, I would also recommend treating them for mites, or asking the vet to do it. It won't do any harm, and you can find all the info here: Guinea Lynx :: Ivermectin . However if you are at all unsure about using the ivermectin yourself I would recommend you take your piggy to a cavy-knowledgable vet, like an exotics vet.
It does sound like your piggy may theink that it is the boss, hence butting your hand away. He/she has learned that doing that makes you go away. I would suggest that you get a pair of gardening gloves, not too thick, to protect your hands. If your piggy does bite, he will get the glove, not your hand! I had this problem with one of my pigs when we first adopted them. She was terrified of being carried, and would grab anything (like the hand carrying her) and bite it, just out of fear. Very few pigs bite out of dominance but yours may be an exception. If you keep picking him up long enough he will learn that it's going to happen and it's not that bad. If you do introduce them, they may get anxious when apart, so try getting someone to help you hold both at once, so they aren't as scared. It also helps to be out of the room they are normally in. When they see their cage, they try to get back in. Try wrapping the little one in a blanket to make it feel more secure. It is hard to keep at it, but eventually they start to enjoy lap-time and won't bite when picked up, it just takes time. One of mine tugs at anything she can when being carried so I hold her as shown here Guinea Lynx :: Handling it's safer and she can't nip my finger. Some piggies just take longer than others I'm afraid. It took my guys ages to figure out the point of floortime, but they got the hang of it and now do big laps around the enclosure, whilst before they would just huddle in their hidey and I felt awful. It was hard to keep doing it, but well worth it. Although we keep saying to have patience, the same goes for your piggy. Try taking them out for laptime for maybe a couple of minutes each for the first week, and gradually build up. Do let us know how you get on. It will be worth it, honest.

[Amy&Ginger]

Originally Posted by PiggieMom

Have you treated them for mites?

I agree with that. When I first got my guinea pig, she wasn't very calm nad was all spassy. She didn't want to be picked up or touched. I found out that she had mites when one jumped on my hand. After she was treated, she calmed down a lot more. She's still a little skittish but much better.