Training your piggy to "Go in a circle!"

[kaciesays]

I've seen at least half a dozen videos on YouTube of owners training their cavy to turn in a circle for a veggie treat. It's absolutely adorable and seems like something that would be a big hit in this community. But... it is not! Or at least apparently. Seems like it would take an incredible amount of time and patience.

What do you think of training piggies to do tricks such as this?, I inquire of you, O reader.

 

[catzeye21138]

I tried. I failed. lol

My pigs just weren't into it. I got one of them to go in a circle, but I had to guide her around. But she turned willingly.

 

[Ellen]

Speaking of those videos... I love Mi Mi Wee Wee.

 

[aaronmeister]

I got mine to beg. I think if I try harder I could make them do it or atleast something else.

 

[Cherish]

I taught one of mine to turn a circle in less than an hour, with a few pieces of cucumber and green bell pepper.
He now does it whenever I bring him food, and when he's in a particularly good mood.
It's very cute to see him try and popcorn at the same time!

I've had no luck teaching my other three to turn a circle yet, they're not as smart, but they all come running up to me, and stand on their back legs and beg for food whenever they hear the fridge door open!

 

[luvmyboyz]

I don`t expect my guys to do tricks for treats or food. I don`t have to, why should they? I love to see the way they act naturally when they see the food coming, to me thats much nicer then training them.

 

[Cherish]

I don`t expect my guys to do tricks for treats or food. I don`t have to, why should they?

I do. It's called a "job".

I think it's more a matter of keeping them active and entertained, rather than just making them do tricks for food.

Like when you give them a closed egg box full of veggies, and let them work out how to get into it themselves.

It keeps their little minds active, they obviously enjoy it, and they think they've been very clever in working out a new way to get food.

I often think that life must be quite boring for a guinea pig, especially the ones that are stuck in a cage all day.
I love watching my little guys leap around and popcorn when they've discovered something new.

 

[kaciesays]

The egg carton is a really good idea! Yeah. As cute as seeing animals do tricks is, it's always a little sad.

 

[Cherish]

Well, define "trick".

I've taught all four of my boys to use a litter tray. You could class that as a trick.
But because they know how to use a litter tray, they are now able to run free range around my home, which they love.

What's sad about that?
And how is it different than teaching them to run in a little circle?
It's not liked they're forced to do it, and it's not like they're denied food if they don't do it.
It's just another way of interacting wit your guinea pig, and they enjoy being played with just as much as dogs enjoy being played with by their owner.

I think it's more sad that people underestimate guinea pigs and don't give them enough credit, just because they're smaller than cats and dogs.

 

[relay]

It's so cute. I'm getting my two new piggies tomorrow and I plan on teaching them to go in a circle. I like the paw thing too. My other guinea pig knew stand up but that was about it

 

[kaciesays]

Well what I was thinking was that if I were to put myself in their place I wouldn't like to have to do tricks for treats. But yes it is a healthy loving interaction you're having with your pet and not degrading. Then I guess it's not really "sad." Hahaha. I guess I think too much. Hooray for guinea pigs.

 

[frashy]

Grimace learned it within 15 minutes, I was using baby carrots. It's really awesome to see it in person, just being able to communicate to them is amazing, and watching them understand what you are telling them to do. Just saying "Do-a-cirlce!" and watching them do it is slap in the face to people who think guinea pigs are just dumb and blank minded.

 

[relay]

How young should you start training the piggies? As young as possible or should you wait until they are a few months old or even older? My piggies are 6 weeks and I'd like to start with some training but is that too young?

 

[Cherish]

Grimace learned it within 15 minutes, I was using baby carrots. It's really awesome to see it in person, just being able to communicate to them is amazing, and watching them understand what you are telling them to do. Just saying "Do-a-cirlce!" and watching them do it is slap in the face to people who think guinea pigs are just dumb and blank minded.

Definately!
That kind of interaction shows people that they are much more than just "big hamsters," and that's what the guinea pig world really needs right now.

relay: I see no reason why you can't try training your piggies now. As long as you're gentle and patient with them, it's a great way to play with them and get them used to you, even if they don't pick it up right away.

 

[aaronmeister]

Start when you're ready to start. Because it really depends on your patience. Also you must be persistent on how you train them. You have to reward them every time they do it. And you cannot reward them if they don't complete their trick, that is the trick to getting them to learn.

Also, once you notice that they have mastered once trick, try and challenge them by increasing the difficulty of that one trick. It really pushes them to learn.

 

[Biscuit]

I have a rescue pig that came to me trained to "prairie dog" for veggies. She walks around on her back legs and paws at the air. It's really quite spectacular. I worry about her back!

http://www.attrition.org/~squido/pics/08-03-09-pringle/IMG_1283.JPG
http://www.attrition.org/~squido/pics/08-03-09-pringle/IMG_1287.JPG
http://www.attrition.org/~squido/pics/08-03-09-pringle/IMG_1286.JPG

If you even walk by the cage and say her name, little Pringle starts doing this. I say little because she was emaciated upon adoption, she's actually about four years old.

(Note: Quaratine cage in picture - she is with the rest in the 30SF mansion now! Although, it's not bad for a quaratine cage, 45X22)

 

[kaciesays]

Only 15 minutes!! I suppose I do underestimate the cavy.

Biscuit--
That's intense. I'm glad Pringle found you!

 

[conclay1995]

I am currently working my piggies to not chew when they are outside of their cage. I figured if I got my hamsters trained to not chew, I could train the piggies. They are about 90% trained. It's nice because they have more floor time this way.

 

[Cherish]

How are you teaching them not to chew outside their cage?

I'd rather not find any more little holes nibbled into my wallpaper!

 

[conclay1995]

Everytime they start to chew I say "NO CHEW" in a firm tone and move them. I repeat this several times and then if they keep it up, they go back in their cage and we try it again the next day. They learn that if they don't chew they get to stay out longer.