Which Tricks Can You Teach a Guinea Pig?

How to have fun and spend time with your pet in a useful way? One option is to train them and teach them a cool trick. However, some animals are harder to train than others.

Guinea pig owners are lucky – these animals are quite smart, and training them isn’t too difficult. In this article, you can learn how to train a guinea pig and which simple tricks are perfect for them.

Conditions for training your guinea pig

Guinea pigs are trained the same way as other animals – by creating a conditioned reflex. So, before starting, you’ll need your pet’s favorite food and a whistle or another memorable, soft sound like a click or clap. Here are a few conditions to follow before you start training:

• Your pet trusts you. Guinea pigs are naturally timid, so if they feel unsafe, they won’t be able to focus on the task. Let them get used to the environment for about 2-3 weeks before training.
• They respond to their name.
• Comfortable training conditions. Guinea pigs dislike being held in the air; they prefer to have their feet on a solid surface. A table or floor makes a perfect training spot.
• Train before mealtime. While you don’t need to starve your pet, it’s best to train when they are a bit hungry, just before feeding time.

Tricks to teach your guinea pig

There’s a stereotype that guinea pigs aren’t very trainable, but this isn’t true. They can learn plenty of tricks if you have patience and train them regularly. Here are a few tricks of varying difficulty that are ideal for guinea pigs.

• Command “Stand”

One of the easiest tricks to teach. Hold a treat above your guinea pig’s head, just within reach, and say “stand” repeatedly. When the guinea pig stands on its hind legs to reach the treat, reward them. Practice this trick daily. Eventually, they’ll stand up on their own without needing a treat.

• Playing football

Your guinea pig won’t become a pro athlete, but they will love rolling a ball around. Place a small piece of food under the ball and call your pet over. Seeing the treat, the guinea pig will nudge the ball with its head. Repeat the trick a few times until they get the hang of it. Soon, your pet will push the ball around just for fun.

• Jumping through a hoop

This trick is more advanced but fun to teach. You’ll need a hoop about 20 cm in diameter. You can make one yourself, just make sure there are no sharp edges.

Hold the hoop with one hand so the bottom touches the ground and take a treat in the other hand. Call your pet and say “through the hoop.” When the guinea pig climbs through, give them the treat and a signal sound. Gradually, you can raise the hoop a little higher each time, but be careful not to make it too challenging for your pet.

Training can be enjoyable for both the pet and the owner, especially when your guinea pig gets rewarded for their hard work. Just remember not to rush or pressure your pet too much – patience is key, and both of you will enjoy the process!