Some people think it's almost impossible to train a pet besides a dog.guinea pigs can be trained to do a variety of simple tricks.You can use treats to get your pig to do things, like coming when called, standing on its hind legs, and spinning around, because they are motivated by food.If the training is done correctly, it will be very rewarding.It has a bonus of building a special bond with your pet that lasts a lifetime.
Step 1: A strong bond is built.
It's easier to train if you have a stable relationship with an animal.If you want to build a stable relationship with your guinea pig, treat it kindly and spend time playing with it.Try to give it at least half an hour of attention every day.It's good to give it delicious snacks when you spend time with it.Eventually, you will be able to use these treats as part of your training routine.It will be more difficult to teach if your guinea pig doesn't trust you or thinks of you as a scary giant that comes to try and communicate all of the time.The trust of an animal is very delicate.If you aren't sure of your current relationship with your pet, it is best to keep working with them until they trust you enough to allow you to pick them up and pet them.Try to get your pig to come into your arms daily.This may take longer, but never give up.If you want to build a bond with your pet, don't start training until you've done that.
Step 2: If you want to use a training method, choose it.
It's time to start looking into methods of training after your pig is willing to trust you.Clicker training and verbal markers are the two methods most people use for training guinea pigs.Clicker training is easier than using a verbal marker with a pig.Even if you are using a clicker or verbal markers, you will still use treats to reinforce your commands.
Step 3: You will need the materials for training.
You need a soft animal-training clicker if you want to train your guinea pig.It should not be loud or sharp for a pig's ears.You will need to treat your pig.The treats that have worked well for many guinea pig owners include chopped up carrots, celery, and lettuce, which are both healthy for the pig.
Step 4: If it's necessary, pick a verbal marker.
If you are going to use a verbal marker instead of a clicker, you need to pick out a specific sound that you will make when you want the pig to do something.It could be a clicking sound or a word that is the same every time.Pick a noise or word that you can do the same time and again, and only use it for training.When training is not happening, noise or sound will confuse your pet and make it harder to train.
Step 5: You should be patient with your pig.
It takes a lot of time, repetition, and consistency for a guine pig to learn simple tricks.Keep training sessions low-key and fun, and try to keep realistic expectations for your guinea pig.If you feel stressed out during a training session, take a break and try again later.Trying to train an animal when you are upset is counter productive.
Step 6: Make your guinea pig associate the clicker or marker with a treat.
If you want to do this, put your guinea pig in a safe area, such as its cage, and click the clicker.Give your pig a treat after you click the clicker.If you think your guinea pig understands what the click means, you should repeat this several times a day.It can take a long time.Click the clicker or say the marker clearly and firmly to see if the guinea pig is conditioned to it.You can move on with training if it looks at you and expects a treat.The guinea pig doesn't understand what it means when you click or say something.You have to work on conditioning more.If your pig does this, don't be discouraged.
Step 7: The guinea pig can be made to move its body.
Slowly but surely, begin to teach your guinea pig basic commands once it is conditioned to the clicker or verbal marker.If you make a click or say your verbal marker, you can offer a treat away from the pig.Wait for the pig to eat the treat.Every time, move the treat to a different location.Skittish, hyper, stubborn, or impatient guinea pigs will be more difficult to train and may take more time to come to your hand willingly.Keep repeating the process.
Step 8: The guinea pig should go to a target instead of a treat.
If you want to wait, hold a finger or stick a few inches away from your guinea pig, click your clicker or say your verbal marker.Give a treat when it touches the stick or finger.If you do this about 20 or 30 times, your guinea pig will be able to touch the target efficiently several times in a row.The target should be further away from the pig so that it can get its treat.This will build up its trust and willingness to do what you ask.
Step 9: Do daily training sessions.
Try to get your guinea pig out at least once a day.Your guinea pig will learn to follow your commands with repetition.The brain of a guinea pig is different from a cat or dog's, so it may not process information as quickly as a larger animal.The key is patience.It's important to remember that not all guinea pigs have the ability to focus on one task for more than a few minutes at a time, so changing up the training routine may help them learn more easily and not become bored.
Step 10: There is a large area where you can put your guinea pig.
The space should be comfortable for you and your pig.Ensure that there is no danger to your guinea pig from another pet.Save for a hidey house for your guinea pig to retreat to if they feel the need, there should be nothing in the area that they can crawl under.If your guinea pig is more comfortable in their cage, training inside will work in the beginning.As you move on to more advanced tricks, it will become harder to train inside the cage.This is true for tricks that require equipment.
Step 11: A treat is above the pig's head.
Make sure you don't hold it high.The idea is to make your pig stand up on its hind legs.If you keep the treat too low, your pig will snatch it and get away with it.
Step 12: Once the guinea pig is on its hind legs, give it a signal.
Click or use the verbal marker when your pig stands up.If your guinea pig did the hardest thing in the world, praise it and then repeat.You act when the click or word stands up.This will eventually lead to the mindset of your pig being like this: a trick leads to a click or marker noise and then a treat and praise.It may take time for the guinea pig to realize this, but training is much easier when it does.The click or verbal cue should be performed by your guinea pig when he drops back down from a standing position.It will associate the reward with the wrong action.
Step 13: Continue until your pig does the trick correctly every time.
The motion of the guinea pig's hind legs is good.The guinea pig knows what it has to do to get the treat.It needs to wait for you to signal.Put a treat or finger over its head if it stands up without a signal.This part may take a while, and it may cause some confusion, but when it does, it's very rewarding.
Step 14: You should get an item that is about the size of a guinea pig.
A cylinder-shaped object is an item that your guinea pig will circle around.It can be any color, and any type, as long as it isn't harmful to your pig.You will be training in the center of the area.An upside-down bowl, water bottle, and can of food are some of the options.As you begin to teach the trick, be sure that your pig won't be able to easily knock it over.
Step 15: There is a training area with a guinea pig in it.
Make sure the area is safe and that your guinea pig can't escape easily.Take your pig out of its cage and place it near the object.Allow the pig to smell if it needs to.This does not mean that they won't do the trick.
Step 16: You can use a treat to lure your pig.
Take one of the treats and lure your guinea pig towards the object.Go further away and around it, until your pig completes the circle.Click and treat once the circle is complete.When your guinea pig is comfortable with moving around a bit, do this 3 or 4 times.
Step 17: There is a chance that the guinea pig will try to go on its own.
If the guinea pig moves a few steps, it will be rewarded with a click and a treat.Gradually increase the number of steps it takes to get the treat.The reward for moving around an object will be discovered soon by your guinea pig.Many will figure it out in a few minutes.
Step 18: Begin with a hand motion.
If you hold a finger above an object and move it in a circular motion, it will work well.Say the command "around!"."Spin!"Verbal commands may help, but they are more for the trainer than the animal.When your hand moves, only treat your guinea pig when it walks around.If it does the trick without you, just sit and ask it to do it after.Treat it and praise it if it does it.If the trainer is persistent, it will be very rewarding in the end.
Step 19: Slowly remove the object.
When the guinea pig is good at walking around, start doing the motion without anything to distract you.Your pig should walk around in a circle.