It will be very tempting to try to pick up, cuddle, or play with your new pet, but this could further traumatize your guinea pig. It will also make it harder for you to build trust with the guinea pig.  For the few days, you should try to avoid touching the guinea pig at all. After that, try to start petting the guinea pig for increasingly longer periods. Be patient and don’t handle your guinea pig until they seem comfortable with you. If they still don’t let you pet them, then they are not ready to be picked up. It could take several weeks or months to make the guinea pig comfortable enough to be handled so try not to rush it. Guinea pigs are prey animals and are easily spooked by sudden movements. They also have poor eyesight so try not to sneak up on them.  Talking in a soothing voice will help the guinea pig to recognize your presence. Try not to approach the guinea pig from behind. Let them see you, and approach slowly. Quick movements will scare them. If their cage is on the floor, sit down on the ground. If it is on a table, then stoop to its level. Picking up the guinea pig from above might cause it to associate you with a predator. Support their back end with one hand, and place the other hand on top of their shoulders to prevent them from jumping. Grip them securely but not too tightly, and hold them close to your body so they don’t feel like they will fall. Holding them correctly will help them to feel safe when you pick them up.  When you first start picking up your guinea pig, hold them from a seating position. Being carried while walking may make the guinea pig nervous as they fear the height. Carefully monitor children as they handle the guinea pig. Show them the correct hold and make sure they are gentle and don’t get overly excited. Consider using a blanket to carry your guinea pig. Wrapping your guinea pig in a blanket makes them feel more secure as they are carried. Interacting with your guinea pig is essential to creating a bond with them. Handling and petting your guinea pigs are important forms of interaction, but the play is a great way for you to bond with your guinea pig. If you have a room that can be completely shut off, then let them loose to explore. If there are no rooms available, create a playpen by using mesh or boxes. Just be careful that the guinea pig can’t chew through the playpen walls. This area should include boxes, balls, ramps, and cardboard paper towel tubes. Sit in or near the area and talk to your guinea pig as they play. Offer them treats, or move the ball for them to chase. Associating you with play Is an effective method for bonding with your guinea pig. And the more time they spend in your presence, the more comfortable they will be with you. Although guinea pigs can be nervous, they are also very curious. If you lay still, and cover your face, they will probably come over to sniff or climb on you. This is a great way to have fun and bond with your guinea pig. They will not understand why you are shouting and will become frightened. Shouting or punishing your guinea pig can also cause them to become scared of you and will hinder the bonding process. You should also never punish your guinea pig by withholding food, treats, or toys. They will not understand why this is occurring, and it will hurt your relationship with your guinea pig.
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One-sentence summary -- Keep handling of your guinea pig to a minimum for the first week. Give your guinea pig plenty of warning before picking them up. Avoid grabbing your guinea pig from above. Carry guinea pigs with both hands. Play with your guinea pigs for at least half an hour per day. Give guinea pigs the chance to explore outside of their cages. Create a play area for your guinea pig. Lay down in the play area and let the guinea pig investigate you. Never shout at your guinea pig.


Once you have identified your animal, learn everything you can about it. What does it eat, and where does it live? Read about its history, behaviors, and the way it is portrayed in literature and the media. What does this animal represent?  An animal's particular wisdom is called its "medicine," or power. This medicine can be used to help during a time of need. For example, a hawk's medicine might be its ability to see clearly when others cannot. If possible, spend time near your animal's habitat. Do not be disruptive, but try to learn as much as you can about how the animal exists in the wild. Take what you have learned and use it to help you deal with making big decisions, confronting difficult situations, and reaching your goals. You can draw on your animal's wisdom in everyday life, too, in your treatment of others and the earth. Pay close attention each time your animal appears to you in any form. Do your best to interpret the messages the animal seems to be sending. Remember, the messages will not be straightforward, since animals do not communicate the same way humans do, so you will have to do some deep thinking to understand. Here are some questions to ask yourself:   What emotions do you feel when the animal comes? Does the animal seem to be a sign of foreboding or comfort? Does the animal seem to be leading you in a certain direction? It is believed in shamanism that you gain a deeper connection with your spiritual animal by honoring it. In doing this, you are letting it know that its assistance in helping you with your life is appreciated. You can do this by standing up for the environment and animal rights and, in particular, the well being of your spirit animal. Remember that each time an animal species goes extinct, we lose the wisdom of that animal.
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One-sentence summary --
Learn about your animal. Apply your animal's wisdom to your own life. Be open to messages. Honor your animal.