Our new G.pigs are scared of me - what is the best approach?

[Flightattendant27]

I'm really worried and no idea how best to tame them.

One was from a family, is 6 weeks now, quite friendly but scuttles away when I try and lift her out for a cuddle.

The other was in a large noisy pet shop place, is 12 weeks now and very nervous and tries to escape when I hold her

I have been sitting chatting to them before picking them up, today had a long cuddle with each - but I wondered if anyone can help me out as to how to get them happier? I used to have a pig years ago and remember him being very tame and loving being cuddled, you know when they purr...

I'm scared I'll do the wrong thing and these ones will never calm down.

Thanks x

Btw my mum says bring the hutch into the main room so they get used to the children. Tbh not sure about this yet as my boys are v noisy and it might make them worse?

They're in conservatory away from main rooms atm.

Does picking them up daily despite their scaredness, help them calm down gradually or make them even more scared?

Oh that's good RR - how long did it take before they settled into being cuddled without running away / up your sleeve? I have so many scratches on my decolletage!!

They nearly always run away, even when they are quite friendly, I think its just instinct. ours do and they are nearly 2 and handled most days, they are find once they are caught!. I think I would leave them in the conservatory and just handle them every day.

*fine not find

Ok thanks - am going to get a run for the garden so they can mow our lawn in summer

I love them to bits - I read somewhere that if you sit with them for long enough, stroke them in the right way etc, they will eventually just walk onto your hand?

Like, in about 3 years they might...

or is that maybe true?

Thankyou

Celery and melon going down well here.

LOLOL!!!

Daily chatting, then offering food from your hand is a good start. After a few days, lift them out and place them on your lap together. They will be nervous at first, but will turn into tame little lovelies soon. Away from main rooms is a good place for now if it is noisy. They will still hear things, but not too loud, iyswim? DOn't leave them in the conservatory overnight though as it may be too cold?

Agree with Ruby. They are prey animals, so never eally like the lifting itself, though they maight love the cuddles. Get them as close in to your chest as quickly as poss.

Thanks Nicky. I don't know if it's too cold - i heard you can keep them in a shed etc in winter, as long as there are two of them and plenty of hay so not sure if conserv will be ok. I could always turn up the heating in there.

I do cover their hutch with thick fleecy blanket though at night.

Do you know RR I think they'd be quite happy down my bra all day!!! Or in my hair.

Pmsl at bra as piggy sling!

True, if there are two, they will be warm enough. My piggies were obviously molly coddled!

I'm a bit worried about having them in here also because we're not strictly allowed pets!!! Conservatory I can get away with, if I chuck the blanket over during inspections or say we are borrowing them from school. But living room, with hay everywhere, I thinkw e might get caught out!

Yes, I think I was rather PFB with my piggies.

PFP even

I am so of you with your lovely guineas.

We have promised ds some if we move house. Honest, they are for him.

Have not even let ds near them yet! I don't want to freak them out and they will struggle a bit still. He wants a dog anyway!

Can I just ask what is the best run to get? Thought about getting a squarish one that we could sit in with them iyswim? Rather than the triangle type.

A square one you can get in would be great.
We have a triangular one my old Dad made years ago, mainly because he could knock one of them up without much hassle. SO long as they are safe in it and have a little hidey bit and shade form the sun anything will do.

Thanks, that's v helpful Nicky

Will see what I can find!!

Ok, will try not to put hand on top. I try to scoop but tbh by the time i get them out it is usually not v dignified action!

I will make sure there is shade anyway outside. Thanks for all this.