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About Nicole Bury
Expertise
I can answer every question anyone has! I am always willing to hit the books for other owners! I and my husband between me have 6 guinea pigs and one expecting, that we intend to keep 2 of. I can help with idle questions, everyday problems to serious health problems but I always sugget seeing a vet!

Experience
I have had 14 guinea pigs in my life with more to come. I have volunteered at the local shelter just to work with the small animals on a weekly basis and I have been to countless vets to soak up there advice, as well as looking in my 50 something books on guinea pigs. I know almost everything I can wrap my head around about guinea pigs! Sometimes my husband, who is an exotic bird vet/guinea pig fanatic helps me with the questions to!

Organizations
I belong to S.A.R.S. BC. It stands for Small Animal Rescue Shelter.

Publications
The Vancouver sun.

Education/Credentials
I have taken community courses for pet care, including small animals, but I have not been to school formal education (I am not a vet). Currently I am in the process of becoming a published author and I have my degree in creative writing. Someday I will have my masters. I teach local classes for advanced creative writing and literature for teens.

Awards and Honors
I have had my writing published in the paper for the fourtenth time about animal pet care facts. Nothing big, just me and a few other writers.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Guinea Pigs > Jumpy new guinea pig

Guinea Pigs - Jumpy new guinea pig

Expert: Nicole Bury - 11/4/2009

Question
I had guinea pigs in high school, all of whom readily allowed me to pick them up, even a high-strung, irritable boar.

I've had Jeremy about 3 weeks (30 years later). He acts like a Mexican jumping bean the instant I even try to pet the top of his nose -- except for when he tries to sharpen his teeth on my fingertip!

Whenever I try to pick him up (a favorite event for my long-gone pig friends), he kicks the palm of my hand hard, then dives back into his cage.

To clean his cage, I have to wait till he's in his little sleeping box, then pick up the box with him in it. He doesn't mind my holding him when he's in his box, either -- unless I lay a finger on his little person!

Otherwise, he seems quite happy to be here -- demands food, will take food from me directly with no hesitation, plays in (and with) his tunnel, bats his ball, grooms himself normally, etc.

Am I using the wrong deodorant, or what?? Or is he just prejudiced against men over 50? (Something I can't help, alas!) Or ???

I don't even unnerve our very skittish box turtle -- help!

Answer

Sweet-pea

Hello Chris!
Haha! That was defiantly the most comical question I have gotten since I started in October!
I suggest giving it some time and seeing if he has the same reaction to other people. I once had a guinea pig a while back named Sweet-pea (ironic?)who must have had something against 18 year olds. She liked me more over time but it took me a good 5 months until I could pet her with my whole hand.
So my diagnoses is: He is scared of you. He probably thinks you are trying to attack him and make him into bacon.
My prescription: Time. Time and treats. I'm sure he must love treats right? Like say treat you wont let go of until he come all the way up to you to take it?

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