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How can I convince Sebastian that he is home?

mom to cujo

Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
Joined
Feb 27, 2004
Messages
347
We adopted Sebastian, around a year old male, about 2 weeks ago to buddy with Cujo, who is around 2. Sebastian comes from a kind of tough beginning, rescued from a barn where there were lots pigs and lots of fights. He doesn't seem like he was ever injured and seems to get on with Cujo pretty well. He is just so darned scared of people that it breaks my heart. Cujo is a lover. Sebastian runs whenever anyone comes near the cage. He will stick his little nose out for food, but runs almost all the time from the hand. I just want to love the little guy. What can I do to convince him that he won't be moving around anymore and that he is home and we love him? I really would appreciate any advice anyone can give.
PS I do get to hold him sometimes, but I don't want to terrorize him just to pick him up.
 
Don't worry Snickers was the same way. Belive it or not they get tame at there own pace, but will eventually warm up to you, and you will be the best of friends!
 
Just have patience. When I got one of my boys, he was 9 weeks and had never been handled before. He was a nervous wreck. The thing I did was I would walk by his cage, talk by it, maybe just sit there and read a book for a while, until he got used to the sight and sound of me. I then spent time petting him inside his cage, so he got used to my touch, and finally, after a week or so, I started holding him for 5, 10, 15, 20... minutes. Now he's always out to see me when I come by. The key is to let them come out on their own.
 
Yes I agree with Doc that is the key.
 
Hey - listen to Weezer007 reasurring you.

Patience and lots of love is the key to getting a pig to trust you. Oh, I fogot the most important thing - lots of food.
 
It sounds like you may have gotten Sebastian from the same place I rescued my new girl, Kaia (formerly Louisa) from- Amiable Animals? Well anyways, I've had Kaia for about a month now and she's slowly starting to accept me. I've been hand feeding veggies to her and my other piggie, Spike, daily and just trying to get her to touch my hand on her own with her nose...she's coming along. Time and patience are the best, I think. I wouldn't bother to try to pick him up unless necessary until he lets you pet him and is more comfortable. Good luck! :)
 
Tempt Sebastian with his favorite veggies. I have been doing that with my moppy because she is still a little skittish but getting better all the time. She will actually come almost too me now to get her favorite veggie treat.
 
Yes, Sebastian was adopted from amiable animals. He is so nervous, but I am being patient and he has learned our schedules and know when to come out for treats. How will I ever be able to cut his nails? Thank you to all of you for your advice. i'll be patient and keep hoping.
 
Awww.... Sebastion is so cute. I saw him on Petdinder when i was looking for my cavies.
 
I have to have my daughter help me with nail cutting. I hold piggie and she cuts nails. I cant do it myself.
 
mom to cujo said:
Yes, Sebastian was adopted from amiable animals. He is so nervous, but I am being patient and he has learned our schedules and know when to come out for treats. How will I ever be able to cut his nails? Thank you to all of you for your advice. i'll be patient and keep hoping.
Don't worry, my Kaia has been super scared but she's coming around. I can sometimes pet her head with 1 finger quick, and yesterday she let me pet her back for a few seconds. My best advice is a lot of what everyone else is saying, just give him lots of space so he doesn't feel threatened. If you try to rush it, it will probably just take longer in the end. You want your interactions to be pleasant, not stressful. Good rule of thumb: quit while you're ahead. I try to pull away from petting her before she runs off. anyways, good luck!! :)
 
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