Behavior Need help with taming pleeeeeeeease!

[sezzle]

I've had two previous guinea pigs that got used to me on the day I got them, literally! They would let me pick them up, stroke them and hand feed them straight away! Recently, 5 weeks ago, I got two new guinea pigs. I don't understand, I've been handling them and interacting with them daily, they eat from my hand, they sometimes let me pat them while inside the cage and they don't bite me but the always run away, sometimes they won't let me pat them, they stay in their pigloo most of the time, and when I have them out for lap time they are basically frozen still. How do I get them to trust me more? And to become tame and get used to me?

 

[HannibalLecter]

They are acting completely normal, guinea pigs are programmed to be like this for their survival, and some may never trust or like humans.

It could be because of where they came from or if they are young, as younger pigs are much more "wild" & skittish. The way your previous pigs acted is what's really unusual.

It took me over a year to gain trust from one of my adopted females, she was underweight & not socialized when I got her. Very skittish, nervous & disliked being touched.
Now, she's the only one that won't run away when being picked up. No more biting & she likes her daily cuddles. You can't force or hurry an animal to trust you or go against their nature.

Give it time. Handfeed them, both in the cage & on your lap with short lap times. Sit by the cage & talk, get them used to your presence. Try not to chase them around in the cage to catch them for a while, just lure them into a box & lift them that way.

 

[pinky]

I don't keep pigloos in my cage all the time. They're much more active and social when their pigloos aren't in there. Change the cage around for some variety and hold on to their veggies while you feed them so they get used to you being so close while they're in the cage. Try not to cast a shadow or hover over them when you're standing by the cage. Put yourself in their position and think about how you'd probably react to the manner in which you approach them. It's all about trust and not being afraid. It takes time and consistency. I think multiples take longer to warm up to you than singles that come in alone and join a herd. I'm sure they're watching each other to see how they react and are copying behavior. If you bring in a single to a herd that's already socialized, they mimic their behavior more. I have adopted a few pairs but I definitely prefer adopting one at a time.

 

[skiggs]

I've read a couple of folks here take the pigloos out of the cage during the day and give it back to them at night. I've started that today. We shall see how it goes. It's only been 2 and a half weeks since I got both my pigs, so I'm impatient :|

 

[HannibalLecter]

I've read a couple of folks here take the pigloos out of the cage during the day and give it back to them at night. I've started that today. We shall see how it goes. It's only been 2 and a half weeks since I got both my pigs, so I'm impatient :|

Trust cannot be forced. I recommend you to NOT take out their safe spots & hideys, as this will be extremely stressful & a cruel way to try & change their natural instincts. Most pigs will learn to not run when you approach the cage, some never will & that has to be accepted.

They need the option to hide when scared or nervous.

 

[bpatters]

Ditto HannibalLecter. These are new pigs, and they need somewhere to hide.

You'll just have to be patient. Spend a lot of time by their cage, talking to them in a soft voice, offering them things to eat, even if it's just part of their veggie supper. Put your hands in the cage a lot -- straightening bedding, repositioning hideys, whatever.

Shoo them into a small box with holes in the ends, place your hands over the holes, lift them out, and feed them in your lap.

You've chosen two skittish animals as pets, and it will just take long time to get them accustomed to you. The more you handle them, the easier it will be.

 

[Muddypaws]

We got two boys about 2 months ago... one is curious, friendly and outgoing, the other is a total recluse LOL Brothers, always been together, just very different temperaments! We always hand feed their fresh food and for a good six weeks we fed them goodies (carrots!) when picking them up so they would associate us with the best food. Even so they both will run if we lean over or move too fast, and the one is definitely always going to be more reserved.

 

[Petlovr]

Remember that the way you feel transmits to the animals, too. If you are stressed, nervous, or in a hurry, it can scare them. Take a deep breath and force yourself to relax before entering the room with them. I find that always helps. Goods luck

 

[skiggs]

I'll add the pigloo back! Thanks.

 

[ckidder]

I also take my piggies igloo's out during the day and then at bed time when I go to bed I put them back in. I find mine are more active during the day when the igloo's are out. Plus they know when I put them back in, that it's bed time too. And mine do just fine.

 

[ckidder]

I will also add that mine are use to me. I am not trying to tame mine. Sorry I jumped the gun a little there.

 

[HannibalLecter]

I also take my piggies igloo's out during the day and then at bed time when I go to bed I put them back in. I find mine are more active during the day when the igloo's are out. Plus they know when I put them back in, that it's bed time too. And mine do just fine.

There is no "bedtime" for pigs, they sleep in small spurts of 20 minutes all throughout the day & night. They need to sleep in a sheltered safe place, and taking the igloos out does them no good at all.

 

[Senamian]

I pull my guineas out of the cage, bring them to a guinea-proof room (that has a door or is blocked off from other rooms somehow), set them in there and sit in the middle of the room. No sudden movements, no loud noises, not moving towards them, but rather, letting them move to you and check you out. That is how I got Honey to trust me