Behavior How to outsmart a pig? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**hydrohoki** · #1 04-02-09, 10:02 pm

My cage is set up with a half level loft. The loft contains the hay and water. I've got a bin up there because I have a particular pig *coughDuncancough* who likes to play with the water bottle.

Well one day a certain pig *coughDuncancough* was mad because of one of the following reasons:
- I was gone too long
- There was no lettuce handy
- It was raining
- He's a pig he doesn't need a reason.
He learned he could throw the bin off the loft. Better yet, shortly after he learned he could throw the bin with his cagemate in it off the loft to have a monopoly on the hayrack.

So one day I decided I would outsmart my pig. I drilled a hole into the bin and twist-tied it to the cubes of the cage. Yay! I win (or so I thought).

Here we are about a month later and the little lunatic has managed to learn how to untwist twist ties! I have no idea how he's doing it (he doesn't have thumbs, I checked). Yes, they are twisted very well. He's done it four times now. I may have to set up a webcam and spy on him.

Anyone have any other ideas for attaching the bin that would still allow me to fairly easily detach it when I clean the cage?

**Paula** · #2 04-02-09, 10:05 pm

Velcro zip ties might work, but I've met Duncan and don't believe he'd be above chewing through them.

**hydrohoki** · #3 04-02-09, 10:08 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

Velcro zip ties might work, but I've met Duncan and don't believe he's above chewing through them.

I think he might view that like running a marathon, an ultimate challenge. Think he'd undo snaps or buttons?

I still can't believe he's figured out twist ties. The first time I brushed it off, but it's been too many times now.

I think he needs a hobby, ideas for hobbies that don't involve harassing Starbuck are also welcome.

**Chicapuff** · #4 04-02-09, 10:11 pm

Hahahaha! That's so funny.. I would think zip ties would be pretty guinea-proof!

**hydrohoki** · #5 04-02-09, 10:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicapuff

Hahahaha! That's so funny.. I would think zip ties would be pretty guinea-proof!

Zip ties would work but it makes it really hard to clean the cage. Tying with dental floss works well too but makes it hard to get the bin out.

Poor Starbuck looks so confused when she gets pushed off and realizes she's now downstairs.

**Paula** · #6 04-02-09, 10:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by hydrohoki

Think he'd undo snaps or buttons?

Maybe not if you blindfold him and remove him from the room while you are affixing the snaps or buttons, so that presumably he won't be able to figure out how to undo them so quickly.

**Res Judicata** · #7 04-03-09, 12:00 am

While I have no answers for you, and I do empathize with you situation, I also find it rather amusing. The stuff these little furballs figure out.

**shtinkypuppie** · #8 04-03-09, 12:20 am

This is one of the best guinea pig stories I've heard yet. I especially love

Quote:

- He's a pig he doesn't need a reason.

You say you 'twisted' the zip tie, was it one of these?
Twist tie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

That's what I'm assuming, since the other kind of 'zip' tie:

Cable tie - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

does not fasted by twisting. Cable ties should be pretty guinea proof.

**WICavy** · #9 04-03-09, 01:44 am

How about a padlock or bike lock?

Seriously though - maybe some sort of metal clip? It's really hard to say without seeing what you're talking about. Depending on the situation, maybe one of those clips for keychains?

ROADPRO 80mm Aluminum Gear Clip with Keychain - Assorted Colors RPGC-80A

Or a leash snap?
NP SWIVEL LEASH SNAP by Baron Mfg. - More Harness & Chain Snaps, Links & Hooks at doitbest.com

Or a lock pin?
SPEECO LOCK PIN ASSEMBLY Secures PTO adapter to shaft P7940 SPECIAL SPEECO PRODUCTS

I'm sure if you made a trip to the hardware store you could find something.

**hydrohoki** · #10 04-03-09, 09:17 am

Oh Nice WICavy! I could use a carabiner!

That would give him a nice new challenge to ponder. Thanks!

**WICavy** · #11 04-04-09, 12:28 am

You're welcome!

If he figures that out, go with the padlock!

**PiggieMamaKelly** · #12 04-04-09, 02:04 am

Sounds funny. Take a picture!

Reminds me of all the times I fix a flipped pigloo only to have the flipper look me in the eye and flip it again...and again and again.

**Trace_n_Ripley** · #13 04-04-09, 08:27 pm

As I keep telling everyone I know -- those darn piggies are smarter than you think!!

Good Luck! (sounds like you'll need it)

**Pulsepoint129** · #14 04-04-09, 08:54 pm

Hahaha, that's too cute! I'm sorry, I know it's quite problematic for you, but aren't they the darndest little critters? Mine likes to move his igloo-hut around the cage when he gets tired of it in one particular spot.

**Res Judicata** · #15 04-04-09, 10:20 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

Reminds me of all the times I fix a flipped pigloo only to have the flipper look me in the eye and flip it again...and again and again.

My Cloudy is a "flipper," too. She would just turn everything over and her cagemate is a pig who freaks out without a hiding place, so I would come home to one pleased pig and one in the throes of a nervous breakdown. The pigloos had to be replaced with hand towels safety pinned to the sides of the cages. She used to sit in them like a hammock, but her butt has gotten too big for her to climb up in them anymore.

**wheekypigs** · #16 04-04-09, 11:58 pm

These stories are hilarious! Thanks for sharing, it made my day!

**snistopher** · #17 04-05-09, 04:50 am

i must say, this is one funny post

I wish you the best on your dilemna, but cavies are quite crafty