how to train a guinea pig

As with other training sessions, make sure the area is safe and that your guinea pig can't escape from the area easily. Do Guinea Pigs Make Good Pets? Start small. Is using a harness and leash bad for a guinea pig? … Train your guinea pig to jump through hoops, 15 Things to Know Before Adopting Guinea Pigs, Can Guinea Pigs Live Alone? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Guinea pigs do a lot of poops every day and this can make the cage look messy very quickly, especially if you use fleece in your guinea pig’s cage. Encourage your pet to stand in his back legs in order to reach the treat. Train Your Guinea Pig to Respond to its Name The first and initial exercise every pet owner has to do is to give your pet a name, giving your pet guinea a name will help create a bond between the pet owner and the pet. Potty training a guinea pig is possible, but it is not that easy as you may think it’ll be. My sisters guinea pig (I trained her) goes on walks, in shape, runs, and mostly potty trained. You can also teach your guinea pig to stand up by holding a treat above its head until it gets up on its back legs to reach it. to know how to care for them and keep them happy. ", "Great page, it has lots of information!". I decided to try to take notes on how to train them! Guinea pigs are very smart and they can be trained to do many tricks. How to litter box train a Guinea Pig with food: I’m going to share my tips and the process I use to litter box train a Guinea Pig with food. It helped my piggies a lot! Faut il couper les griffes du cochon dingue, Faut il couper les griffes et voient ils la nuit. Sorry to hear that Some guinea pigs can be hard to train so you might have to work with them for weeks until they are trained. Lots of people don’t know that it’s actually possible to partially train guinea pigs to do their business in a litter box. When they have completed their circle offer them the treat as a reward. These books describe and illustrate the correct housing and equipment, and advise on getting all members of the household acquainted with the newly acquired pet. They make fantastic pets and great company. Enjoy looking after your guinea pig and have fun with your furry best friend. If you want to teach it to turn in a circle, hold a treat in your hand and move it in a circle around your guinea pig while saying, “Circle.” Once your guinea pig follows the treat and spins in a circle, give it the treat as a reward. If you look after him well you can enjoy his company for up to eight years, but the world record for the longest living guinea pig is an impressive fifteen years! A step-by-step guide to guinea pig potty training: Step 1 – Choose a toilet area for a guinea pig; Observe your guinea pig for a few days and figure out where it eliminates more often. Practice daily and your pet will eventually become a great little jumper! What does it mean when my guinea pig throws his head back? Make sure you secure the area where you are going to teach your guinea pig. I should say that if you achieve these, you are very patient and consistent in your ways. You also don’t want to carry around items that get slippery or slimy in your hands. You will need a large cage (possibly a C & C or hutch) that should be at least 7 square feet, a water bottle, food dish, plain guinea pig vitamin C fortified pellets, soft bedding and a serving of vegetables. Place your guinea pig in the training area. Last Updated: April 25, 2020 Then, set up a litter tray in this area, since this will increase the chances of the guinea pig using it. The first couple days of potty training will demand a watchful eye. dog/cat smell. Guinea pigs are pretty intelligent little creatures that take well to training, too! Otherwise, you become the treat dispenser and your pig can associate your hands with food causing food … This article received 13 testimonials and 81% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. And when the guinea pig poops in the litter box give them a treat as an appraisal. It will encourage a guinea pig to enter the box. You can pamper your piggy with toys and other rewards for saving you the expenses of changing beddings now and then. Thanks! If you're petting your guinea pig or holding him in some way, it could be a sign of irritation. 3. It is way hard to break its old habit and teach this new one of using a litter box. What are the best treats to use when training a guinea pig? Training your guinea pig to only use the bathroom in the cage can be tricky since they have small bladders and must go every 15 minutes. Make sure you use a hoop that is smooth and that won’t hurt your pet. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This article really helped me, "I have a new guinea pig, and was hoping to find types of tricks I can teach. Get you pig familiar with the treats/reward. A complete guide on how to potty train a guinea pig. An unhappy guinea pig may bite – is he lonely? Despite their name, guinea pigs have nothing at all to do with pigs, they are actually part of the rodent family! The first thing you need to do is to teach your guinea pig its name. This may sound an impossible feat for your pet, after all he’s not in the circus. Step 1: Find your piggy's urination area. The week will be of intense hard work, though. Don’t be cross if your pet isn’t interested at first, be positive and encourage him! Guinea pigs are also known to be attention seekers, they will squeak when you are near, it’s their way of saying “Hey – come over here and give me some fuss!”. Approved. How long does it take to litter train a guinea pig. Also, once the guinea pig does the whole trick, add a cue word (1 to 2 syllables) then reward them. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. ", "I now know all about how to care for my guinea pig. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. If you are going to train him to understand commands and perform tricks remember to be kind, patient and gentle. Repeat this once a day until they can circle on command, without the treat. Guinea pigs are docile, easy to care for, and are capable of … More advanced training will be added as well, but these are basics that EVERY pig parent should be empowered with. Repeat these steps and over time you should be able to remove the treat so she learns to push the ball on her own, without the treat. Of course, you wouldn’t want a herd of guinea pigs living in your home, but they are very sociable creatures and it is best to keep them with another guinea pig friend. Help & Advice. To potty train your guinea pig, put a low-level litter tray in the corner of the cage and add a pile of hay and paper bedding. Train your guinea pig not to bite. 1. Once you have trained your guinea pig in her cage, you may want to train your guinea pig outside of her... 2. Guinea pigs make great pets – they are intelligent, friendly, fun to watch and really enjoy being part of the family. This works in both habitats that we have here. Welcome to Animallama, a place where experienced pet owners share all the pet care tips they learned over the years of caring for their fur friends. Identify the place in your guinea pig’s cage where he likes to poop. You can also train your clever guinea pigs to come scampering to you: Ok, so you have taught your furry pet to recognize his name and he will now come to you when you call, but you can take this one step further by training your guinea pig to follow you: Learning your guinea pig how to use the toilet will take a lot of time and patience. Find a hoop that is a good size (not too big or small)! By using our site, you agree to our. Say the command: “Through the hoop”. Place a handful of hay in the box and add fecal pellets in it. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Your pig should raise its snout following the treat. Which treats to use for guinea pig training, How to make sure your guinea pig is happy while training, 1. It is not as convenient as training your dogs and cats because you have to try hard to break its old habit and teach the guinea pig to use a litter box. Once you have your little buddy’s attention, move your hand in a circle. Train your guinea pig to come when called It’s not just dogs that can learn to come when you call them! Generally, it’s best to start training guinea pigs on simple tasks first. Don't forget to add a hut or two! When you get your guinea pig out of the cage put him across the room from you. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Peaches seems lazy, and not in shape, and not potty trained. Also, many pigs like to go potty most often at night, when you aren’t awake to take your pig outside. It is a great way to enhance the relationship between you, and learn new things. Also, consider getting a pair of guinea pigs, which equals less pressure on you to give your guinea pig constant attention (and your guinea pig will feel much happier having a friend). Be gentle, and praise your pet in every correct action to be much happy to continue doing the trick. Once you understand your guinea pig’s elimination schedule, remove them for their cage and clean it properly. … When they are standing on their two back legs give them the treat. However, litter training in guinea pigs is not like walking in the park; you need to be consistent, patient because the pets tend to urinate after a few minutes. In fact, one of the first things you may wish to teach your guinea pig is to use a litter box. When you are ready you can get started – make sure you are armed with plenty of healthy and tasty treats and get ready to have some fun teaching your guinea pig lots of amazing tricks. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Repeat until your guinea pig responds every time you call him. unlocking this expert answer. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Unfortunately, most litter trays in local pet dealers are too small. Step One X Research source Try doing things like throwing or rolling guinea pig toys, like balls, to get your guinea pig to chase them. When you are ready to start training your guinea pig, you will need to provide plenty of treats to encourage and reward your pet. Then, say the command, “Stand up,” and give it the treat. Gently lift your pig out of its cage and set it down near the central object. Simple 10-Step Guide on How to Potty Train Your Guinea Pig. Training Your Guinea Pig in the House Once your cavy has been successfully potty trained in his cage, you might want to move on to teaching him to use the litter tray outside of the cage. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 426,575 times. Say “push the ball” to you guinea pig as they try and gain access to the treat. One C&C cage and the other is a set up with a few Midwest Guinea Pig Habitats. To train your guinea pig, start by teaching it to come when you call it by saying its name while giving it a treat, which will motivate it to run to you. Choosing an Ideal Litter Box; The litter box should be neither too big (it shouldn’t take too much space), nor too small because piggy won’t be able to sit and potty in it (she won’t even try to use it). For piggy’s that like to fall asleep in their bedding you should add one more layer of dry guinea pig bedding, like wonderful paper bedding from Small Pet … When you notice your guinea pig using the litter box, give her a treat as praise. You will need to use quite a small and light ball (a tennis ball would be a good choice) and a treat that you can sit the ball on top of (guinea pigs are partial to red peppers so this may work well): Roll up, Roll up! Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. A guinea pig that is trained to use a litter box would be extremely beneficial, helping keep the rest of the cage cleaner for longer. Over time, she will be motivated enough by the treat to jump through the hoop and get it. Help & Advice. What are your thoughts on our tips for how to train a guinea pig? Over time, she will understand that using the litter box is a good thing that leads to treats and she will start to use it regularly. But you can train your intelligent guinea pig to do this and more: Ok, we aren’t talking about a full-on ballerina style pirouette here, but you can teach your guinea pig to move around in a circle and that’s still a very neat trick! There are many different foods you can use. Help & Advice. If your guinea pig isn't standing, it probably isn't anything to do with weight, but more likely an illness. Practice on the daily but don’t forget to give your guinea pig (and yourself) a brain break. There are some possibilities of failure. Fulfil your guinea pigs needs by ensuring he has a comfortable and secure home, with nourishing food and refreshing drink. You have to make sure that … Practice daily so your guinea pig associates following you with yummy treats. Guinea pigs are prey animals. When you put your guinea pig back, carefully watch it to see if it just needed to satisfy a particular bodily need. Under this step, your litter box should be sizeable, not too big nor too small. Make sure your pet can see the treat and say “stand up.”. Now let us look at a comprehensive guide to help you litter train your guinea pig. Put some hay in the preferred “toilet area” (add a few poop pellets in with the hay). Tap the metal ball at the end of the spout with your finger to release some water. Your animal will be unable to sit and use the container. Training Your Guinea Pig in the House 1. When I call, they answer to the wrong name. The Truth About…, Tips on Introducing Pet Rabbits and How to…, 450+ Rabbit Names: Cute & Funny Names For…, Rabbit Grooming: A Complete Grooming Routine For Your…, Common Health Problems in Rats – Part 1:…, Introducing Bioactive and Naturalistic Principles to Your Rat…, Mice Treats: FAQs & Yummy Treat Suggestions Your…, Pet Mice Varieties: What Type of Mice Are…, Which Bedding Is Best For Your Mice? To do this: It’s not just dogs that can learn to come when you call them! Check out our new video! When your guinea pig jumps through offer plenty of praise and a tasty treat. Once you succeed with potty training, you can elevate your piggy to another different training. Although you can’t potty train guinea pigs in the same way as you’d train … When they do so, give them a treat as a reward. I have two guinea pigs. To properly train them; you’ll also need to lure them in the starting until it becomes a habit. Potty training a guinea pig is possible, but it is not that easy as you may think it’ll be. Dr. Hess advises providing structure and reward-based training from the start. One C&C cage and the other is a set up with a few Midwest Guinea Pig Habitats. If you only have one guinea pig, then even if you’re the most affectionate owner in the world then it will still be lonely without a guinea pig companion. Dr. Hess advises providing structure and reward-based training from the start. Don't scold your guinea pig! I also, "It helped with several questions a first time guinea pig caretaker has. If you want to train your guinea pig not to bite you will need to: This is a fun little trick to teach your little fluffy playmate, you will need those all-important treats to make this work: Your amazing guinea pig will even be able to push a ball if you train him to do it! wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTjzWmQDqfU This video will demonstrate how to use a clicker to train your mini pig. Wash your hands before handling your guinea pig. You can train your guinea pig on how to use the litter box; this takes a great deal of tolerance litter box could serve as a washroom for your pet or the toilet facility for your pet. This is best practiced outside of the cage, but once taught you can show off this feat in or out: Your guinea pig is a loving and responsive pet, he will love plenty of praise, attention and affection. Happy Guinea Pig Behavior – 5 Signs You Have Cheerful... [Free Download] My Pet Is Home Alone Card In Case of Emergency, Rat Care Planner: A PDF Printable to Keep Track of Your Rats’ Health & Well-Being, Guinea Pig Care Planner: A Printable Pet Planner to Help You Take Care of Your Cavies. Don’t give your guinea pig any reason to avoid her litter. 3. Around 10” would be ideal. ", needed to learn how to have my guinea pig learn its name -- as soon as I come up with a name! Peaches, my guinea pig is fat, loves to wear clothes, sleeps, and loves music (mostly the Jonas Brothers, and Queen). Put your guinea pig on the floor, a little distance away from you. Barron s Training Your Pet books are for inexperienced pet owners who seek detailed advice on how to get started in keeping and training caged pets. Thank you so much. Then it is also important to teach your guinea pig to come when called by its name. Thanks for the info! Older pigs can learn new tricks, but ideally, training should begin when your pet is a piglet. When the litter box is set up, your guinea pig would eventually get used to it requires practice and patience, guinea pigs to do their business in a litter box. But I need, "I just bought my new guinea pig four days ago and they have been driving me crazy with all of the waste! This article helped me tons. ", learn to train little Louie. Say the command “Stand up” and then let them have the treat once they are on their back legs. When you think he or she is going to pee, quickly pick your pet up, set him or her in the litter box, and reward your pet after the successful act. Guinea pigs originate from the Andes mountain region in South America and when they are in the wild they prefer to live in herds. We've included some older tricks and some more recent ones.List of all tricks in the video:1. Think again! Train your litter train your guinea pig, 8. Buy a suitable litter tray. The first thing that you should do when trying to train a guinea pig to climb up a ramp is to get some of their favorite treats. Training is a fun, positive activity to participate in with your guinea pig. It’s important to be upbeat, your guinea pig will respond much better to praise than criticism: For a more detailed guidance, see our comprehensive potty training guide. Place the carrot stick on the ground and then put the tennis ball on top of the carrot stick. This works in both habitats that we have here. However, if you cannot afford to house or feed two, then that's understandable. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. 2. To ensure the training goes smoothly and properly, make sure you take good care of your guinea pig and meet all of her daily needs. How to train your guinea pig 1. You have to expect that it will take you a while before you entirely train your pet. Continue reading for all the information you need to know to have your guinea pig using a litter tray and performing tricks like coming when you call it or pushing a ball around its exercise pen. Your pet may mouth you just to find out more about you (are you some sort of giant tasty treat)?! Practice daily, in the end your pet will push the ball on command, without the treat! Repeat these steps until your guinea pig starts to go through the hoop on her own, without the motivation of the treat. Show the pig your reward and lift it in front of their snout and slowly up and over the head. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Training a guinea pig is not different from teaching other small pets like cats. Allow the guinea pig to sniff around if it feels the need. This article has been viewed 426,575 times. “I can’t tell you how many times pigs come into their vet appointments dressed in bonnets and riding in strollers,” she says. Guinea pigs aren’t as easy to train as other rodents, but with patience you may be able to teach your guinea pig to run in a circle, to stand on a pedestal or to respond to his name. Train your guinea pig to come when called, 4. I'm thinking of getting a six-month-old guinea pig, what do I do? You want something your guinea pigs can eat quickly, but that isn’t calorically dense. X I almost bought a run around ball for them, "I was asked by a friend to train and show their boar, because they were too young. Most guinea pigs will take to using a litter box over time if you train them. Guinea pigs can be trained to do simple commands using food. How to teach your guinea pig new tricks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Step by steps guide on how to litter train a guinea pig. ", "This is so cool! Call your guinea pig by his name and give him the treat when he comes to you. If he goes in a circle, tell him to ‘Turn Circles’ and then hand over the snack. Trying to figure out how to litter train (re-train) our guinea pig in a new cage. Step 3: Repeat. The first thing that you should do when trying to train a guinea pig to climb up a ramp is to get some of their favorite treats. Pigs train humans much faster than we train the pigs. Place a few treats in your hand and make sure your pet knows you have them! Once you're ready to begin, follow this simple five-step process: Figure out where he or she likes to urinate. Aspen or kiln-dried pine are suitable wood options for guinea pigs, but be sure to air them out if … {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Train-Your-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Train-Your-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/84\/Train-Your-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid154519-v4-728px-Train-Your-Guinea-Pig-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Begin by holding the hoop so it touches the ground or the bottom of your guinea pig’s cage. My guinea pig totally ignores me, what should I do? If you let your guinea pig roam free, start by training him in a small room with the door shut. * By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Like other animals in the animal kingdom, guinea pigs will also have a biting instinct whenever they feel danger. What should I do? "I am taking notes on guinea pigs. Hold a treat in your hand and make sure your guinea pig can see it. A guinea pig with too much testosterone may bite – he may need to be neutered. Peppers – yellow, orange, green and red bell peppers offer lots of Vitamin C, Lettuce – Romaine lettuce offers more nutrition than an iceberg lettuce, Red & Green Leaf Lettuce – use alternatively with other vegetables. Lay out her litter tray. How to Train a Guinea Pig. If it chews its bars all the time, it can indicate loneliness. Mouthing isn’t a sign of your guinea pig being cross or upset, just a sign that your pet is interested in you! Take your guinea pig out of its cage and play with it in an enclosed space, free of hazards like other pets and objects a guinea pig may chew. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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