Is it ok to hit ur guinea pig?

[CavyMama]

I'm really beginning to wonder about whether this thread is even real or this is nothing more than someone bored trying to provoke people on here.

I had that same thought. Seems we've seen a few of those lately.

[CavyMama]

They were doin what sounded like purring, then one looked like it was trying to "h*mp" the other one even though they are both girls. Then the mean one, Lexus, bit Diamond on the ear and she screamed and Diamond Chased Lexus around the cage with her teeth out.

That's all? That's all they did? The rumbling, chasing and mounting are all completely normal and not a reason to separate.

[foggycreekcavy]

No one is being rude here. Just because someone says something you don't want to hear does not mean it is rude.

People are expressing their opinions in a respectful way. I don't see anyone being disrespectful.

[MrWhistles]

That's all? That's all they did? The rumbling, chasing and mounting are all completely normal and not a reason to separate.

totally agree 100%

i also think that seperating them may make this worse or last longer.
this is how they establish pecking order. Who is the higher up who is the lowest of the group. If you keep them from establishing who is who then it will take them longer to get along and maybe even not like eachother at all

[jm_1234]

As far as disciplining your guinea pig, a stern NO! is all they need, then remove them from the situation. Many people say guinea pigs do not understand cause and effect but in my case this is untrue. They understand if they are doing something wrong they will be yelled at for it and they won't see their friend anymore.

I'm sorry but I find this incredibly hard to believe that your guinea pigs understand that if they fight "they won't get to see their friend anymore" and they are probably not responding to No more like a big person making a loud noise and they are thinking stop what we are doing and hide. No one should be trying to dicipline a guinea pig. They are already terrfied timid enough creatures that don't need the stress of there care giver hitting or yelling and them.

[missbunnyminaj]

CavyMamaOh so bitin is not a big deal 2 u??? I should LET them hurt one another and fight. Sorry but NO..

[CavyMama]

Agreed. Guinea pigs are not complex thinkers and don't understand "I won't see my friend if I do this". What they understand is a very black/white issue. A loud noise can frighten them and it's likely they will stop what they are doing. But bad behavior = consequence is not something they comprehend.

[CavyMama]

CavyMamaOh so bitin is not a big deal 2 u??? I should LET them hurt one another and fight. Sorry but NO..

Did I mention biting? I said, "rumbling, mounting and chasing" are normal behaviors. Nipping (not breaking skin) is also normal for establishing dominance.

What you are viewing as "fighting" is more likely them establishing dominance and completely normal. Separating for fighting may have been an overreaction and will cause more stress to them.

You are new to pigs and probably didn't know what to look for or what would be considered normal. I am not new to pigs and have seen these behaviors many many times.

[momomiyamommy]

I'm sorry but I find this incredibly hard to believe that your guinea pigs understand that if they fight "they won't get to see their friend anymore" and they are probably not responding to No more like a big person making a loud noise and they are thinking stop what we are doing and hide. No one should be trying to dicipline a guinea pig. They are already terrfied timid enough creatures that don't need the stress of there care giver hitting or yelling and them.

It is not "scary" or "mean" for them to be given a stern NO (not a LOUD no), if your guineas cant understand something so simple, you need to engage their minds more often. Momo is HIGHLY intelligent and is the most intelligent guinea pig I and my guinea owning friends have ever met. She has learned many tricks such as "stay" "beg" and "turn around" and has escaped from her cage on numerous occasions. She has never once been scared of me or even new people. Please do not apply your guinea pig's behavior and cognitive abilities tomy guinea pig's cognitive abilities.

[missbunnyminaj]

Did I mention biting? I said, "rumbling, mounting and chasing" are normal behaviors. Nipping (not breaking skin) is also normal for establishing dominance.

What you are viewing as "fighting" is more likely them establishing dominance and completely normal. Separating for fighting may have been an overreaction and will cause more stress to them.

You are new to pigs and probably didn't know what to look for or what would be considered normal. I am not new to pigs and have seen these behaviors many many times.

Well there was blood so this was not just them dominatin. Diamond screams every time she sees the other pig so i dont think its normall

[jm_1234]

It is not "scary" or "mean" for them to be given a stern NO (not a LOUD no), if your guineas cant understand something so simple, you need to engage their minds more often. Momo is HIGHLY intelligent and is the most intelligent guinea pig I and my guinea owning friends have ever met. She has learned many tricks such as "stay" "beg" and "turn around" and has escaped from her cage on numerous occasions. She has never once been scared of me or even new people. Please do not apply your guinea pig's behavior and cognitive abilities tomy guinea pig's cognitive abilities.

Uh-huh, well you must have the most intelligent guinea pig in the whole world then. I'm not going to get into a fight with you on who has the smartest guinea pig, I don't agree with what you are doing and I think it is wrong that you are suggesting this to someone so I felt I should say something.

[scruffytufty]

yes my gingey is very smart, she has learnt to not enter tubes or boxes to be caught now! anyway i think people are just very passionate and dont want to know that pigs are at harm. you need to read through the forum with your sister and educate yourselves, if you do keep those piggies they will be so happy from what you learn!

[CavyMama]

The rote learning of tricks is a direct cause-effect relationship. What they learn is sound (word) + behavior = reward. The same way a dog will learn a trick.

The complex idea of "I wont be able to see my friend" is a completely different thing. Guinea pigs are not capable of understanding something that complex.

[momomiyamommy]

Uh-huh, well you must have the most intelligent guinea pig in the whole world then. I'm not going to get into a fight with you on who has the smartest guinea pig, I don't agree with what you are doing and I think it is wrong that you are suggesting this to someone so I felt I should say something.

Well I don't believe letting them continue dangerous and violent behavior is alright. They are not startled when I say "no" and I only do it when they are doing something like biting. I was just trying to give advice that has worked for me. I believe it is wrong to suggest that all guinea pigs are equal and that they are just "dumb scared animals" that cannot understand something that would be crucial to their survival. Without cause and effect animals would not be able to survive. EX. Because I am hungry I should find food. Because i hear danger I should stay inside...ect.

[MissJean]

It is not "scary" or "mean" for them to be given a stern NO (not a LOUD no), if your guineas cant understand something so simple, you need to engage their minds more often. Momo is HIGHLY intelligent and is the most intelligent guinea pig I and my guinea owning friends have ever met. She has learned many tricks such as "stay" "beg" and "turn around" and has escaped from her cage on numerous occasions. She has never once been scared of me or even new people. Please do not apply your guinea pig's behavior and cognitive abilities tomy guinea pig's cognitive abilities.

That's interesting that you took offense to what has been said as if we were trying to insult your guinea pig.

Really, some of these people responding have owned guinea pigs for a very long time, and contribute tons of knowledge to the guinea pig community. I'd get off my high horse and respect what they have to say. I'm fairly educated about guinea pigs, but I trust these people. If they say something is wrong or can be done more effectively another way, it's best to listen and read up more.

And for the record, I personally think yelling or "sternly" scolding a guinea pig verbally is pointless and laughable.

[jm_1234]

Well I don't believe letting them continue dangerous and violent behavior is alright. They are not startled when I say "no" and I only do it when they are doing something like biting. I was just trying to give advice that has worked for me. I believe it is wrong to suggest that all guinea pigs are equal and that they are just "dumb scared animals" that cannot understand something that would be crucial to their survival. Without cause and effect animals would not be able to survive. EX. Because I am hungry I should find food. Because i hear danger I should stay inside...ect.

Maybe you need to find out why your guinea pigs are biting. It is not normal for your guinea pigs to bite you. Maybe they have mites.
I never said they are dumb scared animals. My pigs all know there names and come when I call them. They are however TIMID creatures. They do not have the mind set to understand that they will get taken away if they fight. Also, finding food when hungry is not the same as when you yell No at them.

[momomiyamommy]

MissJean I knew you were trying to help but everyone attacked me when I was just trying to offer advice. Missbunny also PMed me letting me know how grateful she was. Please don't take my comments as offensive or rude, in that post I raised many ideas that were not addressed and I was giving her advice on how to better her gp's life. I do not want to continue this laughable and pointless conversation. Have a nice day!

[CavyMama]

If you don't want to give a stern, "No!" A loud noise, clapping hands, whistle, etc is enough to startle them out of what they are doing that you don't like. It's less about the words you use (they don't comprehend language) and more about the tone.

[momomiyamommy]

Maybe you need to find out why your guinea pigs are biting. It is not normal for your guinea pigs to bite you. Maybe they have mites.
I never said they are dumb scared animals. My pigs all know there names and come when I call them. They are however TIMID creatures. They do not have the mind set to understand that they will get taken away if they fight. Also, finding food when hungry is not the same as when you yell No at them.

Go back and READ this thread then you will realize the logical fallacy you have made. P.S. these are not my piggies we were talking about, please read before posing. Have nice day!

[pinky]

Positive reinforcement and gaining their trust are the ways to get them to respond to you. It's never okay to hit or yell at a guinea pig. Loud sounds, even the word "no", will simply startle them and make them more inclined not to trust YOU or be afraid of the source of the sound. It won't correct bad behavior.