Chewing How do I get my guinea pigs to let me pick them up without running away?

[Nawor3565]

So, my family has had guinea pigs since before I was born. After I moved out, I kept the tradition going, and have always had 2 piggies by my side. I always thought I knew pretty well how to take care of them; they never died of anything but old age, and all but one have lived to be at least 8 years old, so I assumed I was doing everything correctly. Whenever I would take my piggies out of their cage for playtime, I would always take their igloos out of the cage, and just chase them around with my hand until I caught one. But, I just had a accident, and now it really hurts to bend my back too much. I can bend over fine, but reaching all around the cage is painful. I did some Googling, and apparently youre suppose to train your cavy to just let you pick them up when you lure them out with food. My guinea pigs would never let me do that. They take food out of my hand fine, but they would run away if I reached for them. Im worried that all these years, Ive been doing something wrong. For now, my wife can get them out, but she goes back to work in a few months, where she cant get them out until she comes home at 8:00. I should be healed by then, but Im still worried that I shouldnt be doing this. Am I doing something wrong, or is it just easy for devoted guinea pig lovers? Any insight would be appreciated. Thank you!

TL;DR: I always thought you just chase your piggies around the cage trying to catch them to take them out, but I read theyre just suppose to let you pick them up if you lure them with treats. I currently cant chase them around because of an accident, so I would like find an easy way to get them out if Im doing anything wrong.

 

[BlackyReddy]

I've had guineapigs as an adult only for a year and I was introduced to tame guineapigs at our rescue so i tried to tame ours (but think I could defiantly could spend more time on taming). What has worked so far is time with them. Hand feeding, routine, giving them a calm presence But some will always be flighty type personalities but I've seen improvements in our boar with food encouragement. He now will hold still for being picked up and head scratches. But have to keep up patiently hand feeding them and he still jumps when I move my hand. Start copying the type of voice and noises and actions of a good guineapig person like skinnypig1 on youtube. She seems very good at it.

 

[BlackyReddy]

I remember our rescue lady saying if you chase them around they will associate you with fear so picking them up with food and safety like pick up in a cuddle sack they will change their mind about you.