How to train a guinea pig at home

The guinea pig is a smart animal. She can be taught simple tricks and commands. You should know that each rodent has its own individual characteristics. In order for the learning process to be successful, a loving host needs to approach it with great patience. So how to train a guinea pig at home?

For a good result, first of all, it is necessary to provide a comfortable life for the pig and take care of its daily needs. Before transgressing to training, the guinea pig must be tamed and know its name.

Guinea pig training principle

Training guinea pigs at home is quite simple. The main techniques are patience, timely presentation of a treat in the form of a favorite treat, perseverance. Everything is based on conditioned reflexes.

You should observe the usual behavior of the animal and try to associate it with stimuli in the form of a click, whistle.

You need to start training your guinea pig in a calm environment. Better if there are no strangers. You should start when the owner feels that the line of distrust on the part of the animal has been passed, and he is on the same wavelength with the pet. If the pig is afraid, nothing will work. Her perception will be dulled.

The ideal period for education is two to three weeks from the moment the pig enters the house.

You need to prepare goodies and a whistle in advance. If the smaller friend is worried about something or in a bad mood, it is better to postpone the training until better times.

It is known that these animals do not like when they are kept on weight. The pig feels much more confident on a hard surface. You should put it on the floor or put it on the table. Immediately after the rodent does what they want from him, the owner needs to use the whistle, and immediately reward the pet with a delicious treat. At first, the animal may be a little frightened by a sharp whistle, but despite this, the process should not be interrupted. The reflex will take its toll and the pig will understand that the sound and treat means a correctly performed action on his part.

Train your pet on an empty stomach

All animals, and pigs are no exception, are best trained hungry. Food is the best incentive. Simply praising and caressing will not be enough for the rodent to follow the orders of the owner. A handful of goodies will work wonders, for them the pig will fulfill all the requirements.

Do not overdo it and starve the pig before training. But, most likely, feeding is on schedule, and therefore you should choose a time shortly before it.

Tricks you can teach your guinea pig

There are many things you can teach a guinea pig. Time will pass, and she will master the commands from simple to complex.

“serve” command

This is the simplest command a pet can execute. Made with treats:

1. Take a piece of the animal’s favorite treat and raise it above its head, but so that it can only get it by standing on its paws. At the same time, say: “Serve!”.
2. When the pig rises, you can give it back.

Do this regularly, once a day. Some time will pass, and the pig will get up on the “serve” command, even without a treat.

Ring trick

The pet can be trained to do the ring trick. You should prepare a hoop with a diameter of about 20 cm. You can make it from the sawn off top of a plastic bottle, a racket (tennis without fishing line) is also suitable. Be sure to make sure that the selected item does not pose a danger in the form of notches for your pet:

1. Place the ring with its edge on the floor, hold it with one hand, take a treat in the other hand and hold it on the back.
2. Call the rodent by name and say the command “to the ring”, while he should notice the food. You can push the pig a little, for this you will need the help of another person. The treat will serve as sufficient motivation for the animal, and over time it will jump to get it.
3. After the rodent jumped into the hoop, the owner should make a sound with a whistle and immediately hand over the treasured delicacy.

This should be done regularly until the pig will follow the command already without a treat.

pencil trick

A guinea pig can be taught to fetch a pencil, which is pretty funny:

1. Take a pencil, it is better if it is red. Tie a piece of the rodent’s favorite food to its edge with a thread, you can use a carrot.
2. Open the cage, and put this pencil nearby.
3. Say clearly the command “bring a pencil.” The animal is slightly pushed in the right direction. The rodent will definitely come up to the pencil and try to eat a tasty treat, but it will be tied.
4. Gently insert the pencil into the pig’s mouth so that it grips it tightly. Then call him by name.
5. After he is next to you, feed a piece of carrot.

This is a difficult trick for the pig, so the owner’s patience is needed. But after a while everything will work out.

Guinea pigs lend themselves well to training. It is important during training to pay attention to the safety of the pet. These rodents have delicate little paws, so the owner should be very careful not to harm the pet. Trained guinea pigs are very funny and the joy of communicating with them will become even greater.

How to play with a guinea pig can be found by reading the article “How to play with a guinea pig”.

Video: how to train a guinea pig