Adopted pigs -- Give new names or no?

[gooberific]

I've read that some cavies respond when their names are called.

When you adopt them, sometimes they are already "known" by a name. Is it better to keep those names, or can the owner change them? Or is it more like I should see if they respond to their names first, and then just call them what I think they should be called instead?

Such psychological wonders.

[Karsluma]

I renamed all of mine. In fact, I don't even know the name of this last guy we got- I forgot to ask.

What's funny to me is when my son (8) is playing with them and he talks to them like dogs - "No, spike, no no" and when Spike bit my daughter, he took him and put him in "time out" in the corner of the cage - and told him that it was bad to bite. He's not yelling or hurting him, just talking sternly. And he immediately realized a pig will not stay in time out!

[Ziggy&Herald]

I left all my boys with their origional names. But I do have nicknames that I gave them and they all know who I'm talking to when I use them.

[gooberific]

Karsluma -- That's too cute. My hubby talks to my son like that. He doesn't stay in timeout, either. (He's 2) But that does make me feel better about renaming them!

Ziggy -- Thanks, good to know!

[ittybitty98577]

I think it all depends on you. I re-named all my pigs so they could all match (Nick Cave, Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld) but they dont come when I call they olnly respond to my voice. I would think its more the tones of our voices just like their weeks and rummbles that they understand more.

Hey maybe you could do an experiament and call one pig in a sertain tone and then the other pig in another tone and see if they respond? It might be cool? It could work... or im just being a total nerdo ^_^

[Justin]

I think its really your choice. I don't think the pigs care human-given names anyway. I think they respond to your voice and tone, rather than English language.

My family tried our best to give new names, and failed miserably. We were not good at creativity. So we went back to the original names from rescues.

[Harrys Dad]

I renamed mine from Cowlick to Harry just didn't feel right calling a animal Cowlick he got used to it pretty fast in fact maybe he didn't like Cowlick either.

[AnimalHouse36]

When its feeding/hay time, I yell "GUINEAS ARE YOU HUNGRY?!" Not very loudly but in a high-pitched voice and they always respond by wheeking their heads off! Its too cute. Their names? I'm not so sure. But then again, I rarely use their real names. Usualy Piggers, Guinea PIggers, or Guineas. Don't ask me why.

[gooberific]

Harrys Dad -- I wouldn't like being called Cowlick, either, under normal circumstances. My son's got a HUGE one on the back of his head, so maybe I'm just biased. The only exception, is my grandma used to take me to see the dairy cows, and they used to lick our hands, so I called my hands cow licks for a while when I was 3.

Animalhouse -- Do you even know their names? I saw someone's video with something like "Who wants yum yums?" and they all went nuts for the veggies.

Right now the shelter has them named Kody and Wyatt. They're on petfinder:
Wyatt: Adopt Wyatt - Guinea Pig Small&Furry
Kody: Adopt Kody - Guinea Pig Small&Furry

They're still little youngin's! I think I will see what they are like personality-wise and if I can't find a better-suited name, they will remain Kody and Wyatt!

Hopefully, I don't end up with one named Houdini.

[Ziggy&Herald]

They are really cute. That's really horrible that they are from a seizure from Pet co though. Poor little babies.

[Harrys Dad]

I don't know I think their names are ok.

[AnimalHouse36]

Originally Posted by gooberific

Animalhouse -- Do you even know their names? I saw someone's video with something like "Who wants yum yums?" and they all went nuts for the veggies.


Hopefully, I don't end up with one named Houdini.

Hmm I think I remember their names..... Ry something... Ryster...Rooster.... ohh I remember RYLIE! ANd the other....she's named after a mouse I think. Big ears? Mickey Mouse? Oh thats it Mickey!

As for houdini maybe he'll know a magic trip! Thats the same guy right?

[calymo]

Originally Posted by Ziggy&Herald

I left all my boys with their original names. But I do have nicknames that I gave them and they all know who I'm talking to when I use them.

I agree. Thinking up a new name can be alot of work, so try at first to see if their already given names fit their personalities, and if not, just develop some cute nicknames!!

[gooberific]

The boys are home. Wyatt had been renamed by his foster mommy to Kaleio which means voice in Hawaiin, so I'm told. They say he's the louder one.

I don't have pigtures yet. As soon as I took them from the small carrier and put them in their new home, they popcorned like CRAZY. They've never lived on fleece before, either, let alone flame-print fleece.

They're still skittish and scared, but I was able to coax them out of hiding with a carrot, and they found their goodie dish since I left it on the first floor, since they have yet to venture up to their hay loft/kitchen -- despite the trail of KM hay leading up the ramp. They've never had a 2nd story before, either.

My son (2) was kind enough to dump a couple handfuls of hay on the first floor, anyway.

They're happily running laps and playing with their toys, so I think all is good so far.

Still hoping I don't end up with a Houdini (escaping or not!), but so far I'm leaning toward Bashful and Stinky. (kidding on stinky!)

[calymo]

Oh I am happy to know that everything worked out!!! Enjoy them!!

[Wheekie]

You got yourself so much good Karma by adopting them!(I know that's not why you did it, but you got it anyway!) And it sounds like they both have a really great new home! I also love that they're friends and they're able to still be together!Also, they look like my Cotton and my Coco...they're black with a bit of brown. Bless you!

[Ziggy&Herald]

Oh, Congratulations. Can't wait to see pictures of them in their new home and hear all their stories to come.