cant pick up piggy

[vegan]

i tried picking my piggy up and he will struggle struggle struggle! and i dont know what's wrong. at first i thought he was the one more comfortable being picked up but now its switched and his little brother doesnt mind that much. its so fusterating!!

and clover the little brother is mounting the big brother again..

[Susie]

Do they normally pic up ok? Or are they new Kate? New piggys take a while to settle. Especially younger ones. You have to win their trust. I find food helps. as do short bursts of handling rather than long sessions. they might also like you to use a cuddle cup or blanket at first and just let them sit on you.

As for mounting sounds like normal boar behaviour sorting out the heirachy. Have they just been introduced or could one be a teenager? Make sure you have 2 of everything & they ought to sort it out between themselves who is top pig & underpig & settle back down. Remember if they fight & draw blood they must be seperated. But lets hope it doesn't come to that.

[Alix]

I had a young sow two years ago that would squeal and squeal when you got her out like she was in pain but she wasn't. She eventually grew out of it. If you persist, that pig will become tamer and tamer.

[vegan]

Thanks allot Alix!!! Yeah, I'm just afraid he'll be scared everytime i want to pick him up and will never let me. i've heard some pigs will never naturally like being picked up but i hope not with my little piggie.
Yes Susie, I have had them for two weeks. I know they are still settling in and getting used to me esp being from one lady to another and not being well treated in the first home. my other pig i have to chase him chase him chase him but once i get him he likes being cuddled

[soozthecat]

Hey vegan, I just got my boys two weeks ago, and none of them paticularily like being picked up yet, but they are definatly improving, so stick at it and Im sure they'll get used to it!

[Clover]

I'm sure your boys will setlle down Katy, fingers crossed.

Try and not chase them too much as that does worry them. My Jasmine still runs off when I go to pick her up and she's known me for over 2 years. If you can try herding them in a corner and gently pick them up, but with a firm grip until you know they won't fall.

Even my Sweetpea who is a very confident piggy will wheek a little. She used to scream out when I first brought her home as she wasn't used to being handled in a gentle way. She was terrified, so I think she had suffered from bad handling. Now she sits still when I pick her up. Squeekie and Peachy will even stand up for me, so they are all different. If I say 'in the corner' they'll go to their favourite spot. Here's Squeekie ready for his lift

[vegan]

[glow=hotpink,1,000]Thanks Clover. No I don't mean chasing him like running after him, I know they get scared like that. I just mean running off when I try to pick him up. aw Squeekie's cute

[/glow]

[Clover]

Oh I see now, sorry Jasmines a professional at reversing. Once while I was kneeling down to pick her up, she went one way and I lost my balance and fell over in the other direction . We made quite a comedy act

[vegan]

[glow=hotpink,1,000]LOL! I can imagine it! [/glow]

[kitty]

Guines pigs are "prey" animals just like horses so they'll always be a little skittish- it's their nature. Milano NEVER complains as she's just a little princess who loves being held. Bordeaux likes to be held but often screams like I'm killing her if she's not in the mood. And they tend to scatter when anyone puts their hands in the cage- mine have everyone "buffaloed" into backing off when thay do that! Keep gently trying and yours will come around, Vegan.

[cavy13]

Yeah, sally still squirms and kicks she won't let me.

[Jujumonki]

Chessy doesn't like me picking her up either... she should be used to it more by now though I've had her for 2 years... but she still doesn't like me picking her up... she's in perfect health though.

[Clover]

Aww honestly JuJuMonki, its not because she's rejecting you or anything, its just some piggies are more nervous than others and never get used to being lifted. I always try and put myself in their shoes, it must be pretty scary having a big human come along and lift you up. All piggies just have that natural instinct to flee.

[cavy13]

That is so true clover! If I were a guinea pig I would not enjoy having big hands come in and try to grab me.