Guinea pigs, also known as domestic guinea pigs, are highly intelligent animals, which can be trained to perform simple commands and tricks. To make sure the training goes smoothly and smoothly, try to take care of your pet and meet all his daily needs. Keep in mind that each guinea pig has its own character and it may therefore take some time for it to figure out what you order during training sessions. Be patient and use some positive reinforcement. Over time, he will be able to follow the simplest and most complex commands.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Basic Commands
Step 1. Train him to come to you when you call him
Like most animals, with a little practice and some appetizing stimulation the guinea pig can learn to go to his owner when he calls. Therefore, try to use his name often even when you feed him and hand him a few treats.
- You can also train him to reach you when you call him by putting him out of the cage a few steps away from you. Call him by name and bring out one of his favorite treats.
- Your guinea pig should be motivated to run to you. So when he does, give him a delicious reward. Do this exercise at least once a day and over time you should learn this command both outside the cage and inside.
Step 2. Train him to stand up
This is another simple command to teach your furry friend in conjunction with a tasty treat.
- Hold the treat over his head so that he is forced to stand up on his hind legs to reach it. Say the command "get up" and then give him his treat once he gets up on his hind legs.
- Repeat the command once a day regularly. Over time he will stand up when you order him, even when you have nothing to give him.
Step 3. Spin it
You can practice this command when your guinea pig is inside the cage and also when it is outside.
- Hold a treat in your hand and let it come closer. When he is in front of you, move your hand in a rotational direction and say the command "turn".
- Your guinea pig should follow the movement of the hand as it holds the tidbit and turn around. Once he's done a round, give him the reward. Repeat this once a day until it turns on command, with no reward.
Part 2 of 2: More Complex Controls
Step 1. Train your furry friend to push a ball
Choose one that is neither too heavy nor too big, like a tennis ball, so that it can be easily maneuvered. He'll also need a long, flat appetizer, such as a carrot stick.
- Place his reward on the ground, then place the tennis ball on top of the carrot.
- Encourage him to push the ball off the stick so he can access his prize. Tell him "Push the ball".
- Repeat these steps and over time he should be able to release his reward, learning to push the ball on his own, even without the carrot stick.
Step 2. Train him to jump through a hoop
You will need a circle that has a diameter of about 15-25cm, or you can use a pipe cleaner to shape a circle of about that size. The top of a cylindrical ice cream tub or tennis racket without the strings would also work. Make sure whatever you use as a circle doesn't have any sharp edges or other obstacles your pet could get stuck in while learning to jump.
- Start by holding the hoop so that it touches the floor or bottom of the cage. Keep a treat on the outside of the hoop or ask someone to help you hold it while you hold the hoop.
- Call your guinea pig by name and make sure he can see the reward beyond the circle. Say the command: "Cross the circle". You may need to nudge or nudge him to get him to cross the obstacle. Over time he will be motivated enough to jump thanks to the prize he will eventually win.
- Once he has crossed the circle, praise him and give him his reward. Repeat these steps until he starts jumping through the hoop on his own, without being stimulated by the tidbit.
Step 3. Train him to use the litter box
Many people who have a guinea pig teach their pets to use the litter box for their needs. However, for them to acquire this habit it is necessary to have a lot of patience and a lot of practice. In the early stages of training, be prepared for any accidents to occur, but don't scold or punish your guinea pig if it happens. They will react better to positive reinforcement and your gratitude.
- To train him to use the litter box, place the container inside the cage, where he often goes to fulfill his needs. Add a handful of hay and a few grains of feces inside.
- When you notice him using it, give him a treat as a treat. Over time he will realize that it is an advantage to go to the litter box because he knows that afterwards he will receive a tasty reward and so he will begin to use it regularly.
