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So confused

weezer007

Banned
Cavy Gazer
Joined
Feb 17, 2005
Messages
125
I know, I know. I always complain about this but I haven't gotten much help. So instead of asking you guys (no offence) I was wondering if ya'll know any web sites on how to tame my pig. I know you all keep telling me it takes time but I am not getting very far with Snickers. Since this is my first guinea pig I am not so sure exactly what I am doing! Which is one of the main reasons I became a member! Help and photos of you holding your guinea pig (to see if I am doing something wrong) would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!
 
What is it that you want it to do that it's not?
If you give them everything they need, lots of treats that it likes, be patient and gentle it will soon learn to trust you , as much as a piggie will though.

I'm no expert but I dont think they ever stop being wary. Its their nature.
 
Weezer, I've been following your posts, and from what I can tell, you've been doing everything right. What you have to remember is that guinea pigs are prey animals, and so by nature, will always be wary of anything that is a million times larger than they are coming from above to grab them (wouldn't you be?). The majority of cavies will fight when you try to pick them up, but will eventually love to be held. This is natural, this is instinct, and there is nothing that can be done about their wary nature. But rest assured, with constant and gentle handling, petting, soft talking, and just being around them, your piggie will warm up to you.
The main issue is to earn your piggies trust. Try petting it in their cage instead of only picking it up. If you teach it that not every kind of contact is the same, it will soon begin to get used to you being in its territory. Like I said, they will probably always hate the process of being picked up, but will come to love the end result. Also, try getting it used to your scent by feeding it its favorite veggies out of your hand. It may not take the bait at first-- be patient. Keep trying different methods and always use positive reinforcement to teach your pigger that, "yes, this is ok!" However, remember that solitary pigs are not as active and vocal as pairs or herds of pigs, so it may seem that your pig is not "like the others." If this is an impossiblity, which I gather it is, it's OK! It just means that it may take a bit longer for your buddy to open up to you. But then it is up to you to be its "cagemate" so it has the opportunity to become tame. Again, patience is the key.
Pigs take time to adjust, and you can't expect changes in mere days, or even weeks. Take your time, and you'll be amazed at how much your pig can change in a few months time. Just remember to keep your contact consistant; have lap time and floor time every day. The only way to tame our piggers is to be consistant and patient, and in time they will become your best buddy!
I hope this has helped. The main places I found that talk about taming are (of course) www.cavyspirit.com , www.guinealynx.com , and this site right here. I'd say that talking to others on forums is better than trying to find a guaranteed "rule" on line that tells you when your piggie will be tame. It depends on your effort to make your new friend comfortable in their home. And if you are unable to do this by finding them a same sex friend, then a C&C cage and your constant attention are the first steps. Good Luck!
 
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WOW! Thank you so much TheAlmightyMiko. You were a big help. I would love to make my piggie a c&c cage, but I don't think I have the time! I will look at the instructions.
 
Sometimes it takes months to earn a piggies trust.
 
Weezer, I almost forgot-- here is a pigture of me holding Miko about 3 days after he came home. It's not very good, I know, but it shows what he does even now when I hold him. He kind of just sits there and lets me hold him. Then he gets bored and tries to climb me and jump off my shoulders...scary, but cute ^_^



edit:oh, and you're welcome, Weezer! Also, Ly is right. Usually "months" is the right (albeit indefinate) timespan it takes to earn their trust!
 
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Weezer, just give it time. :)
 
Miko, I just adore your silkie.
 
Ly&Pigs said:
Miko, I just adore your silkie.
*blushes for miko* awww Ly thanks (once again) for the compliment. I don't know what it is with the long haired piggers, but I just love em (they are a handful though!) ^..^
 
Your piggies are so cute Miko. I like them both.
 
TheAlmightyMiko said:
Weezer, I almost forgot-- here is a pigture of me holding Miko about 3 days after he came home. It's not very good, I know, but it shows what he does even now when I hold him. He kind of just sits there and lets me hold him. Then he gets bored and tries to climb me and jump off my shoulders...scary, but cute ^_^



edit:oh, and you're welcome, Weezer! Also, Ly is right. Usually "months" is the right (albeit indefinate) timespan it takes to earn their trust!
Awesome pig - I have yet to see a pig that isn't cute in it's own way.
 
weezer007 said:
I know, I know. I always complain about this but I haven't gotten much help. So instead of asking you guys (no offence) I was wondering if ya'll know any web sites on how to tame my pig. I know you all keep telling me it takes time but I am not getting very far with Snickers. Since this is my first guinea pig I am not so sure exactly what I am doing! Which is one of the main reasons I became a member! Help and photos of you holding your guinea pig (to see if I am doing something wrong) would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!
TheAlmightyMike is right. I have my one pig exactly one year and there are days when she will run and squeal if I try to pick her up or will complain when I pet her. Yet, other days she is the sweetest thing. She was better when I first got her - she used to snuggle and stay by me, but then I adopted 3 more and then she got an attitude - she doesn't need me, she has friends.
 
Weezer --
I bet you're doing everything right, too..
I pet my pigs in their cage often -- It seems to build trust.
They get lap time when I'm on the phone, surfing the net, watching tv... During lap time, I pet them. When they get restless, I pop them back into the cage, let them pee, and then pick them right up again. Baby Cosmo used to crawl all over me, and would bite HARD. I was scared of him. (see "baby drew blood" thread) People on this site encouraged me to give him time and patience, and they were so right.
To help him chill out, I reach into the cage and pet him often, and hold him 4 or 5 times a day (for 5 minutes or so), and he is really mellowing out. He prefers my shoulder, so I hold him there and he chews off chunks of my hair (I guess they all have their quirks!).
Hope this helps --
 
Ahhh do I ever know that "I don't need you!" wheek coming from Miko and Taiko. Well I just don't listen to them...the scary Mommy Monster is coming for 'em whether they like it or not (kidding!!).
Just like with any animal you can't force them to like you, you just have to wait things out and be their friend, even if they don't act the way you expected them to!

And you're right 4 Girls, I have never seen a pig I can't love...which is why I don't go on petfinder too often, otherwise my house would no longer be mine, but instead belong to the pigs...and I can't figure out if that would be really cute or just really scary *laughs*.
 
I've had mine almost a year and they still run when I try to catch them - I'm convinced it's instinct and am pretty sure they will always do it. My one piggie will even wheek until I come over and he'll stand still whileI reach into the cage and pet him. He even lifts his chin and closes his eyes while I scratch under his chin. However, as soon as I try to pick him up he scurries away and I have to chase him around the cage to catch him. Once I have him though, he's fine again. The other pig won't let me pet him in the cage but again, as soon as I've caught him, he's happy as a clam and snuggles in my lap.

Don't get discouraged. Just get good at catching them quickly ;)
 
weezer007 said:
I know, I know. I always complain about this but I haven't gotten much help. So instead of asking you guys (no offence) I was wondering if ya'll know any web sites on how to tame my pig. I know you all keep telling me it takes time but I am not getting very far with Snickers. Since this is my first guinea pig I am not so sure exactly what I am doing! Which is one of the main reasons I became a member! Help and photos of you holding your guinea pig (to see if I am doing something wrong) would be greatly appreciated! Thank You!
Hi:

I wanted to tell you I don't think you are doing anything wrong - just enjoy your pig and before you know it you will be wondering why you worried so much. You just have to let your pig know you are it's friend and everything will develop from that.
 
Weezer, it takes almost NO time to build a c&c cage. Maybe an hour, you could probably do it while you are giving your pigs floortime.
 
TheAlmightyMiko said:
Ahhh do I ever know that "I don't need you!" wheek coming from Miko and Taiko. Well I just don't listen to them...the scary Mommy Monster is coming for 'em whether they like it or not (kidding!!).
Just like with any animal you can't force them to like you, you just have to wait things out and be their friend, even if they don't act the way you expected them to!

And you're right 4 Girls, I have never seen a pig I can't love...which is why I don't go on petfinder too often, otherwise my house would no longer be mine, but instead belong to the pigs...and I can't figure out if that would be really cute or just really scary *laughs*.
Hi:

I know what you mean - I foster pigs and everytime a new one comes in I think oh how cute - I would love to keep it, but I have 4 of my own, which 3 came from the rescue and that is more than enough. I also have hamsters and fish and since I'm alone I am the only one taking care of everything.
 
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