Congratulations on bringing your new family member home. Like all families, adjusting to a new member can be a challenge for everyone involved. Be aware that new introductions take time and are best done through positive interactions.

There is NO anger or physical punishment recommended in your Pet Parenting lessons. Instead, your Pet enjoys learning and you have fun teaching your Guinea Pig. Gentle training helps prevent fearfulness and aggression.

Changing homes and meeting strangers is stressful for most living beings. Your guinea pigs are no different.

You can help your guinea pigs settle in to their new home by setting up a safe, confined area that meets all their needs. Then practice patience as your guinea pigs adjust and relax. Don't expect to see your guinea pigs' true personalities for days to weeks.

Help your guinea pigs to feel comfortable in their pens.

1.  Do not try to handle your guinea pigs that first day. Allow your guinea pigs to take in the new place first and explore their new pen.

2.  Do watch them from a distance to see if they hide or explore their new digs.

3.  Talk softly to them from a distance and watch how they respond. Step one is getting them to know your voice without anything scary happening.

4.  Keep your distance.  If they hide when you approach, keep far enough away for them to stay in their comfort zone.

5.  Move slowly. Resist reaching out to stroke your guinea pigs until they are comfortable being around you.

6.  Hiding places of one-pig and two-pig sizes allow your guinea pigs to lower their stress. Watch to see if they hide together or apart or do both.

Guinea pigs are herd animals and therefore very social. However, guinea pigs are also individuals with preferences, likes and dislikes. For example, once your guinea pigs are settled in they may choose to hide together or alone so having a couple of hiding places gives them options and therefore comfort.

7.  Hand feeding. Offer the required daily fresh vegetables by holding the vegetable on one side and allowing the guinea pigs to take the other side. Talk softly and praise your pigs for being brave enough to take food by hand.

8.  Vocalization.  Sometimes hearing the sound of a baggie rustling triggers happy squeals of food anticipation. If you like your guinea pigs to talk to you in excitement, then praise them and talk back to them.

Prepare for positive introductions to your home and other Pets:

General care reminders...

Protect your guinea pigs from direct sun and drafts. Keep your guinea pigs at a comfortable cool temperature. Do now allow your guinea pigs to become over-heated.

Do not introduce households pets for a few days to one week, then make your  introductions slowly and carefully.

See topic:  Introducing your rabbit to household Pets

Set up your guinea pig to succeed

Confining your guinea pigs to a safe pen outfitted with everything they need. Confinement teaches your guinea pigs what to chew and where to go potty.

Although rare, some guinea pigs are litter box trained and become safe to roam a guinea pig proofed room. More on that later...

Guinea pigs do respond to praise. Be sure to praise your guinea pig in a soothing voice for any behaviors that you want to increase. For example, praise them for being friendly and confident enough to take food from you.