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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Jun 1, 2006 14:16:52 GMT
I'm hoping to make a new section on the website on winning the trust of nervous piggys, or piggys who havn't been handled as suggested my Rene.
I am going to need your help on this though everyone so please post below any tips you might have! They will be so useful to other owners I'm sure.
Anyone with photos & a story about nervous piggys who they have sucessfully managed to get more used to handling and humans would love top feature those as part of the section.
Please reply if you can help!
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Post by Pooks Mum on Jun 2, 2006 13:28:01 GMT
Hi, In my years of keeping piggies I have found that Aby's tend to be the most nervous and always a challenge. The smooth coats tend to be alot calmer - but as I say thats my experience.
The way I have always tamed and coaxed them round is by letting them out with others and ignoring them! i.e. letting them come to me and climb over me by staying still and letting them explore. I find that if you keep picking up nervous piggies they eventually start nipping because of stress.
I find if you let them come to you tentatively they eventually come over all brave! Especially if theres little bits of food involved too! Parsley works exceptionally well!
With my little Ted when he was a baby he was too frightened to move! so I just put him out with Pookie and he started following him everywhere and everything Pooks did Ted started to do too, even when it came to Parsley time Pooks used to take it as usual and Ted used to hid around the side of the ottoman! then gradually got braver and would run out, take a bit of parsley and run back quick! Gradually as braveness overcame him he now sits with his two front paws on my knee with Pooks begging for Parsley. Its taken nearly 6 months but we got there!
Thats another thing be patient!
Hope this helps!!
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Post by julie on Jun 4, 2006 5:42:37 GMT
Regular gentle handling, with food bribes. They often run from pick up but settle on your lap.
You need to be aware of fidgeting or gentle tugs when they need to got to the toilet.
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Post by sylvia on Jun 10, 2006 20:37:18 GMT
What about my piggies. I have had them a while but they are still a bit nervous.
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rachel
Senior Member
Posts: 114
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Post by rachel on Jun 11, 2006 8:10:20 GMT
Ruby is a rescue that I took on 2 months ago, she is a year old. She had been running as a big group with other sows so hadn't received much handling apart from having her nails cut. I too found that the way for her was to ignore her. She is living with 2 other girls here that both are confident around me, had she not of been living with others to show her I would of taken the handling route. Over a space of about 6 weeks I started noticing that instead of hiding completely she would stick her nose out of the house then her whole head would come out, grab food and go back. She did progress slowly but over the space of a few days I would notice that she was showing more of herself. Last week she was out waiting for her vegetables with her cagemates but would still run off when it was put in, and would come out when she thought I couldn't see! Now she is their at the front standing up for it, I think a combenation of having 11 others squeaking around her showed that there was something interesting happening. And now just over 8 weeks later she is fine, things still do frighten her on occasions but not like she used to and handling her is no problem now. It did take a long time, I think the key is not to push them, let them do it when they feel happy and they are more likely to do it again.
I hope that this is some use to someone.
Rachel x
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Post by Susie (Barmy4Boars) on Jun 11, 2006 16:50:25 GMT
Thanks for this guys... keep them coming!
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Rene
Newbie Member
Posts: 12
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Post by Rene on Jun 21, 2006 2:29:27 GMT
Well I have learned that parsley is the key!!! In the states, everyone focuses on carrots and celery, but nothing brings a piggy out like parsley! keep the tips coming as I may have to cut nails next week! Wish me luck and anything special I should know??
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Post by julie on Jun 21, 2006 13:29:20 GMT
I think a piggies absolute favourite is grass.
Sometimes you have to be sooo patient. I rescued such a stressed out baby Aby. She used to bite and wriggle and never sit on your lap. Just lately she is actually snuggling into my lap and falling asleep! Only took a year!!
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Post by Pooks Mum on Jun 22, 2006 13:44:02 GMT
It seems we all experienced the same along the way with these babies, but I also find that if you have one out on the floor who is a little nervous, if you come down to the floor and feed the rest thier favourite food, i.e. parsley, feed a bit leaving the timid one till last until his/her curiosity overwhelms them and they have to brave it and push in! Also I have found that walking away from them helps as they can't help but follow you!! Many times I've walked round my sofa with a piggy train behind with the most timid on the end!! All this helps to make them big and brave!
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v1ck1
Newbie Member
Posts: 1
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Post by v1ck1 on Jun 24, 2009 10:51:06 GMT
Hi, I am looking for advice about Murphy....he is 4 months old and although he appears very bold, he is a biter! He has a room mate (Marty) who is over amourous with Murphy on occassion but out of the 2 Murphy is the most vocal and confident. Any advice welcome!
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