When should I start floor time?

[cavy13]

As you all know I got my first guinea last week. She has been nervous but shes getting better. I was woundering since she's not hand tamed yet,when to start floor time?

[Clover]

I'm glad she's less nervous cavy13, if you can remember to show her your hands before you pick her up so she won't be quite as surprised. She might get abit excited when you lift her, so as long as you don't release your grip until shes safely on the ground or in her cage.

I'm sure she would love floor time, maybe just half an hour to start with and just increase the time when she becomes more confident. Do you have a safe place for her to runaround in? No electrical wires that she can reach or plants etc. Another idea is to provide her with a hiddy hole, either a plastic igloo that you can buy or a plain cardboard box, if you just cut the base out and make an entrance hole with newspaper underneath, she'll see that as a bolt hole if she gets worried. She might even do her wee's and poops in there to.

Good luck with Sally, let us know how you get on and don't hesitate to ask as many questions as you like

[Bean]

Also, be patient as new pigs are often very nervous of open spaces at first, and usually only venture out if they have a chum to keep them company and reassure them. When you get her a friend and they've been introduced, you'll probably find she finds a bit more courage. Until then, just carry on giving her the opportunity. Leaving little trails of veggies out amongst hiding places might help tempt her out too.

I remember mine first nervously walking around in a little train around the room staying close to the edges! Before that they'd venture out a foot from the cage door and then scuttle back in again! Hard to imagine now as they strut round like they own the house and don't run away from anything!

[kitty]

Thanks for mentioning a friend for Sally, Clover. Cavy13 needs to know that pigs like company and that two (or more!) aren't any more work than one. And I love you talking about the "train"! In the wild , and here, they do waddle around like a choo-choo and it's so cute! So get Sally a friend cavy13 and I bet she'll be less frightened.

[Clover]

It was actually Treen that mentioned about a friend Kitty Yes I'd definatly reccomend you bring home another little girl Cavy13.

I love it when they do a train, they don't do it as much now because they arn't nervous in the house, but here's a couple of photo's. Sweetpea following Peachy outside and the other photo is of my girls huddled together because they heard a neighbours dog barking, aww bless them.

jackiesguineapiggies.com/piggiestogether/piggiestogether12large.jpg

jackiesguineapiggies.com/piggiestogether/piggiestogether24large.jpg

[crittermom]

I agree, the choo-choo walk is precious. Mine do it at home when there's a sudden noise, but they don't do it at school, strangely enough. I really think it's sudden sounds rather than general ongoing noise that bothers them.

Sally will come around, new pigs need time, but she'd surely draw comfort from a friend!

[kitty]

As usual Clover, your girls look so cute and healthy. I love their pretty colors! Milano HAS to train now that she's blind and maybe even deaf, but Dodo doesn't always like it -or her. While petting 'Lano I found a pretty good wound on her back/lower neck that I assume is a bite, as there's really no other way to get it. All I can do is clean it and keep an eye on it, I guess. That baby has such problems. Poor Milano- like my doll, Poor Pitiful Milano!

[cavy13]

They are very cute.But my sally never lets me pick her up she just runs away. I'd like to start floor time but she's very stubbern.

[Clover]

crittermom said:

I really think it's sudden sounds rather than general ongoing noise that bothers them.

Thats so true crittermom, the hoover dosn't bother the piggies at all, but as soon as the postman drops a letter through, they make that familiar sound and either scatter or stand like statues. They are actually less nervous than the buns though.

Oh I hope Milano's wound heals quickly Kitty, aww give her a hug from me!

Would you be able to bring home another little girl cavy13?. I'm sure Sally would love a playmate, plus piggies are less nervous when they have a friend.

[cavy13]

Thanks. I'd love to have a second girl but I do not have enough room! :'(I think she could use a cavy friend, not just me.

[cavy13]

Also I must add that starting the other day Sally started running around her cage like a mad woman! It's actully kind of scary! She also jumps high in the air. It can't be popcorning because she's so tence when she does it. Does anyone know what this is?

[Clover]

It really dose sound like popcorning cavy13, young piggies and sometimes older piggies like to have a good ole runaround, its lovely to watch them. Often they'll runaround in the same direction, charging through the same area they have just runaround ;D

[cavy13]

Thanks Clover! I thought it was because she was nervous. I was alittle worried. Thanks.

[Clover]

Your very welcome cavy13