Why do they hate me?

[dhardawa]

Okay, I adopted two guinea pigs from the Humane Society about 6 months ago. I have no idea what their life was before me, but do know that they came in with a large group. They were very scared. For the past 6 months, I have tried to handle them regularly and make them friendly, but to this day, they are still scared. I feel like I'm abusing them when I get them out and hold them because they just sit there paralyzed with fear or they shake the whole time. What should I do? Thanks.

Dana

 

[DocDolittle]

Maybe they had been neglected or abused before you adopted them. They could very well just be terrified of humans because of their suffering. How often do you handle them? Maybe you could try to bribe them with veggies while holding them?

 

[AngelsCavies]

Just take the time and try to talk to them and be around them everyday. Some of my piggers were like that. It took quite few months for some of mine.

 

[Piglet]

Don't worry. I've had mine for about 4 months and they too are still scared. Do they take food from your hand?

 

[citronsoul]

I thought the same thing about my first pig. I thought he absolutely hated me because he always ran away & would often look scared during laptime. It took several months before he gave his first wheek. He wasn't handled that well before I had him.

After three months with him, it took a trip to the vet to realise he liked me. Everytime the vet let go of him during the examination, he would run over to me on the other end of the table & try to hide under my arms.

I think giving food during laptime helps calm down them down. It may also help if they've got something to snuggle under, like a towel.

 

[miccee]

Although my Joojoo is gone now but I can share my experience with you, it might be useful. Well, I studied pavlov's experiment in class so I thought I could apply it. It goes like this... everytime when you're about to stand up ( if your cage is situated on the floor and not on a table or levelled condition ) everything you reach the cage, bend yourself down ( without bending your knees ) and feed them... do this a few times, say... 5 times...

The other one is when you're feeding your piggy with one hand... try to raise your other hand... surely your pig will get scared... but slowly and gently stroke your piggy with the hand which is not occupied with food... same thing do this a few times...

Hope this will help... I'm sure a lot of people might reject this idea because you might pamper your piggy and it'll be dependent on you... But... I feel that it's a way to tell them that you're a friend... not a predator... Good luck!

 

[Piglet]

I do that. When I hand feed them I try to stroke them with my free hand.

 

[miccee]

Yea, and the piggy will tend to be less tensed... and it'll eat from your hand feeling more secured...

 

[ChadWPB]

Remeber that guinea pigs are prey animals. Their first instinct is to run from any perceived threat.

You do have a pair, which is good. Paired pigs tend to be much less stressed out.

Food (veggie) bribes are a good idea, during pick-up time and while they're sitting on your lap. The idea is to have them associate being picked up with getting a tasty snack.

 

[miccee]

6 months? Wow... that's a long period... so do they eat regularly? Because when I first got my piggy he won't eat when I was around.. he'll only eat when everything's calm and silent... but he got along well with me after 2 days... perhaps you should try laptime... gently scoop up the pig and place at your lap with a towel below... and stroke him... from head to tail ( Heh, they don't have tails ) and talk to them... ask them "Why are you afraid of me? I'm your friend... don't be afraid of me k?" It's like comforting a baby when he/she's crying... heh... then probably if you're good and gentle... he'll purr as you stroke him... it means he likes how you treat him...

May I please know the situation of your cage? Is it levelled up? My Joojoo was afraid when I stood up... mainly because he saw me as if I'm like a giant going to squash him... but when I place him on a table where he can only see my head and hands... he got more relaxed... there was one time he even sniffed my face when I placed my head beside him... heh

 

[tashagurl]

Ome pigs take a long time to come out of their shell. Some hardly need any time at all.

 

[mncavylover]

All pigs come from different backgrounds and have different personalities. Just do your best, and they will come out eventually. Good luck!