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Basic Guinea Pig Training

Find out what you can train your guinea pig to do.

By Audrey Pavia

Come When Called
Guinea pigs can be trained to do simple commands using food. You can teach your small pet to come when called by saying its name and then giving a treat. Do this repeatedly until you notice your guinea pig looks at you when you say its name before you give a treat. Next, say its name and hold out the treat from a few inches away and wait for it to come to you. Be sure to give a treat and praise your small pet. Gradually move farther and farther away when you call its name, always offering a treat once it comes to you after you have called its name.

Sit Up And Beg
Guinea pigs can also be taught to sit up and beg. Sitting up is a natural behavior for guinea pigs. Offer your small pet a treat by holding your hand above its head and when it sits up, give it the treat. Add a verbal command once it responds by sitting up consistently, and eventually, your guinea pig will sit up when you tell it to, waiting for a treat.

Litter Box Training
Guinea pigs can also be litter box trained. However, it is not always reliable. Sometimes they will use a litter box and sometimes they won’t. Place a litter box in the spot in the cage where it goes to the bathroom most often. Put a handful of hay inside the box, along with a few fecal pellets. When you see your guinea pig use the litter box, give a treat as praise. Ignore mistakes it might make, but reward when your small pet when correctly using the litter box.

Training Tips
When training a guinea pig, always use its favorite treat. Give a reward the moment it performs the behavior you want. Ignore it when it makes a mistake or gets it wrong. Never scold or punish your guinea pig — use only positive reinforcement.

 


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Reader Comments
I've trained my guinea pigs to do tricks like circle, up, and piano playing. You can watch it on my Youtube channel, here's one - watch?v=O88tIZgFa9Y
qw, guineapig, MS
Posted: 1/1/2009 7:22:15 PM
I think you are very nice to have a site that you can relly depend on!
Haly, tacoma, WA
Posted: 12/16/2008 8:20:53 AM
Interesting article but it doesn't say if you have to start training when they are young or if they can learn these things if they are older.
Tara, Palm City, FL
Posted: 4/29/2008 4:15:02 PM
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