[Gpdd] [BEHAVIOUR] new piggy scratching

[Dr Kay Dudman]

Dear Kayla

Do you know how old your new piggy is?  I expect she is quite nervous
being in a new home with a new Mum, and doesn't know her way around yet.

If she is a baby piggy, I hope she is old enough that leaving her piggy
Mummy was OK (i.e. she is fully weaned).  It will be natural for her to
be timid, and fight to get away from a big human hand appearing in her
home, even though it is a friendly one.

If she is an older pig, she will be in an unfamiliar environment, and
might be wondering what has happened - how did she get here?

When I first got my Russell piggy (many years ago now) I popped him in his
little home with some food and just sat on the floor nearby waiting for
him to come out to the food, and I did nothing.  Not even move.  When
Russell came out for his food, he was quite still when he first saw I was
sitting there, then gained confidence and started eating.  He soon came to
realise that he had nothing to fear and was then happy to allow me to
cuddle him.  He was a very loving piggy, and really enjoyed cuddling.
I think your little piggy will be too, just give her time.  We have to
earn the trust of our little pigs, and that takes time, don't rush things.
Speak to her gently when you give her her food - try to have the same
phrase or a little song, so that she will associate that with you and the
food.  If you have a phrase that you always say when you want to pick her
up (such as "come to Mummy"), she will learn what is going on and realise
that you will lift her out and cuddle her, and she will enjoy it.  Always
use her name, and she will realise you are talking to her.

Imagine putting yourself in her position; you are in a foreign country,
you don't speak the language, know the customs, or know what people
mean...you would appreciate people treating you extra gently and doing
things slowly until you realise what is going on and can join in.

Best wishes to you and your new little piggy

Kay

> Message: 8
> Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 18:30:44 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Kayla Thrower <sereniti_07 at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Gpdd] [BEHAVIOR] <add your subject here>
> To: gpdd at gpdd.org
> Message-ID: <20050730013044.41192.qmail at web33910.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> I have just purchased a guinea pig and she hates me she wont let me pick
> her up and when i do she scratches the crap out of me.Help me plzzzz
>