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Post by shades on Sept 26, 2015 12:57:28 GMT
Hi everyone,
You might remember my vocal male gp. Well, he's still getting used to me and usually runs away when my hands enter his home! Anyway when he settles down, I can stroke his back for a short while. When I'm doing this he often stretches his body, making himself very flat. Is this a sign he's fearful or one that he's relaxed. He will rumble or purr too - I don't know which!
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cavylady
Bronze Member
just keep laughing
Posts: 254
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Post by cavylady on Sept 26, 2015 14:29:39 GMT
when they lay out that means their relaxed
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 26, 2015 19:53:40 GMT
Totally relaxed and enjoying himself
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Post by shades on Sept 27, 2015 11:01:40 GMT
He's only been with us for three weeks and I imagine that before us he didn't have much human contact. He runs away, he takes food from our hands, he hides; not unexpected. I guess it's really hard to get them to relax, so it's good to hear.
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 28, 2015 14:52:59 GMT
Many pigs are happy to get attention from people, but don't want to be picked up. They are at the bottom of the food chain, so hands coming at them, picking them up with their feet dangling, as basically being caught and carried off by a predator, to them. If possible, use a carrier of some kind to get the pigs out of the cage and into your lap. I've used cuddle cups, cardboard boxes, baskets and overturned pigloos. I just put a small towel in the bottom for padding, and let them go in on their own. I have a tree stump cozy the pigs love as a carrier. It's similar to this: www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=6067+28219+23880&pcatid=23880 only it looks like a tree stump. Since getting the pigs out of and into the cage are the hard parts, this removes that stress from the process. If you don't have a carrier, try catching the pigs by putting one hand in front of the pig at chest level(not coming down from above), and the other on the pigs butt. Slide both hands under the pig just far enough to cup hands and feet, so they don't dangle, then lift the pig out of the cage. This is impossible to do if you use the small front opening on a store bought cage, but is possible if you have a front opening large enough to get both arms into the cage. Once the stress of being picked up and put back is gone, they tend to accept the carrier readily, and like lap time.
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Post by shades on Sept 28, 2015 15:39:43 GMT
In the beginning I used a tube to get them out. Then they got wise and stopped going in the tube when I was near. If they forget and I catch them, they puff out their body to effectively make themselves stuck in the tube until I put it back down. They are so clever!
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Post by 3piggles on Sept 29, 2015 19:15:23 GMT
That's why it helps to use something they want to be in, anyway. Mine love the tree stump houses anyway. Soft and snuggly inside. They go in and are happy to stay there. If I bring them out for snuggles, they can go back in and play in the house any time they want, so it's a fun and snuggly place for them. Mine do the same with the tubes
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Post by jolovespiggies on Sept 29, 2015 20:22:53 GMT
That is brilliant, it is wonderful when a pet first shows signs of enjoying a love.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by Ch3lc on Oct 1, 2015 1:42:25 GMT
I have a thick pvc pipe my shy Sasame likes to hide in, I usually pick it up (covering both ends) and let her crawl in my lap, they were a little reluctant at first, but after a few minutes all they do is purr while being pet! haha, I hope you piggy gets warmer soon, good luck!
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 1, 2015 19:47:20 GMT
Sounds as if you've found a perfect conveyance, Ch3lc! Glad the piggies like it, and they can go in and out of it on your lap
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Post by jolovespiggies on Oct 2, 2015 18:53:18 GMT
I love having piggies on my lap, I am not sure if they do though LOL!!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 2, 2015 21:21:10 GMT
It can be hard to tell sometimes, Jo. Even the pigs who run around a lot are having fun, they just aren't the sit and get petted types. Generally, unless they're ducking away from your hand, trying to get away from you, or they pee on you or bite you, they are okay. Some definitely enjoy it more than others, but most pigs don't mind a little lounging on a warm, soft lap and getting attention
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Post by jolovespiggies on Oct 3, 2015 19:36:02 GMT
You are right love, although Merley did wee wee on me once but I think that is just because he want to go to the bathroom. If they start really wriggling I do put them back because I think they are trying to tell me they need to go. However Merley just did it love him. All part of being a piggy mummy LOL.
Hugs JO xx
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 4, 2015 20:44:23 GMT
Pigs usually have some sign that they have to pee. They don't want to pee on people, unless they really dislike those people, so they will try to tell us they have to pee. If we don't get the message, we get wet It can take a couple of accidents to know how they try to tell us, but once we know, we don't put them in compromising positions anymore
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Post by jolovespiggies on Oct 5, 2015 18:56:10 GMT
It is true Piggles love, I always know when mine want a wee-wee and in the past I have been weed on, I just hope it was because i wasn't readng the signs and not because they didn't like me LOL!!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by Bean on Oct 6, 2015 8:30:38 GMT
Mine all get fidgety when they need a wee and might start nibbling my fingers if that doesn't get them returned. It's harder to tell with Josh as he never sits still anyway, but I haven't been weed on in ages, so I won't worry too much about it!
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Post by jolovespiggies on Oct 6, 2015 18:14:33 GMT
When I go to a friend's house and I cuddle a bunny or in the past when she had them a guinea pig, they were always worried in case I was weed on. I am used to it, I really don't mind LOL!!
Hugs Jo xx
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Post by jolovespiggies on Oct 6, 2015 18:15:18 GMT
p.s. not that mine widdle on me I hasten to add.
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Post by 3piggles on Oct 6, 2015 20:31:56 GMT
If I'm going where I know I can cuddle a bunny or guinea pig, I dress for it
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Post by Bean on Oct 7, 2015 8:45:41 GMT
I always seem to end up wearing black when I visit friends with pets, so come out obviously covered in fur! I remember always seeming to end up accidentally wearing black when my kids were little and had colds too - not a good look!
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