Taming a timid guinea pig
i got a guinea pig recently from the pet store i worked in, i don't know how old she is, but she is very very timid. i've had her for about a month and she recently started coming out and walking around her cage when there is someone near it and taking food out of my hand (before, whenever someone in the room would move a little, make any noise she'd run back to her igloo). she won't let me touch her yet, though, but she does take food from my hand.
what are some ways to tame her?
Answers:"Taming" as you call it takes alot of time and patience. Do you hold her each day? Holding her in a quite room with some treats like a sprig of parsley (or any other vegetable for that matter, fruits should only be used as treats on occasions) for about 20 minutes to start with will help. As she gets used to you increase this time. Eventually she will let you know when she wants to go back by giving you a little nibble.
Secondly, floor time is very important. Again this should be done every day for at least 1 hour, whilst floor time doesn't really have the social benefits from you (unless you sit with her while she has floor time) it is great for their health.
Basically the key here is time and cuddles. She has become braver, to the point where she will eat from you but doesn't want to be patted. You want to get her to the point where she comes to you and wants to be petted. This point takes alot of time, patience and best of all cuddles!!