Taming Billy

Question
QUESTION: Hi Andy

It's me Kelly again.
I have a question about my guinea pig Billy.

I can pet Eddie when he is in the cage I can pick him up and he is getting better with that but when it comes to Billy...well.. that's just sad to think about.

I can't hold him but my dad held him once and he was fine but that was the last time he let us for some reason and can't pet him that is just impossible to do.

Whenever I touch him when he is in the cage he is does a little jump and runs. I have tried taking all the houses out then waiting 15 min to let him calm down. Nothing works.

What he will do is take food from my hand. That's got to count for something.

The weird thing is when I walk in the room it's Eddie who runs into the house Billy just keeps on eating hay.

Any ideas?
I don't blame you if you don't!

Thank you for all of your help

Kelly

ANSWER: Hi Kelly

The fact that he will take food from your hand proves he is getting tamer.

Some pigs just dont like being handled. I have one like that. The only thing to do is to gently pursue him and hold him on your knee gently regularly so he realises you are friendly. It takes time but most pigs become more friendly over time. There are some that are just more "wild" though.

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: But how come my dad was able to hold him one time and he was perfect even better than Eddie after I have working with Eddie for a week and a half my Dad was able to take his hands away and he would just sit there and he was also able to pet him in the cage and he was fine my dad could scratch him behing the ears pet his back and everything then in the same day he let me the the same thing but then after that he won't let us even touch him?

Even trying to pet Eddie his hard because even though Eddie is perfect when petting him Billy comes over and stands in front of him and won't let me near him? Billy is the dominent one of the two so is he trying to protect him or something?

Sorry for all the questions

Kelly

Answer
Hi

Dont apologise for the questions, I want to help.

I am not saying Billy likes your dad more than you but sometimes something as simple as the smell on your hands might put a pig off. Keep being persistent.

Billy is probably trying to protect him so perhaps try to have them both on your knee at the same time.

Andy