If you mentally challenge your Guinea Pig and allow them to run free and exercise you will find the animal will show the behavior many people only expect from trained dogs or cats. However, if you do not interact with your pig do not expect it to be more than an overweight blob that runs away from you. The more attention and training you give your pig the more friendly and fun your pig will become and the longer it will live.
It is possible to "potty train" a Guinea Pig if you are patent, consistent and start with a young animal. It took about one week to potty train Emma, (this is probably faster than you should expect), and after that we were able to give her free run of our apartment. (Make sure your house is "pig proof" before you do this! ie. make sure all electrical wires are out of their reach) We started by putting a towel in her house where she would "go to the bathroom". It seems most Guinea Pigs like to "go" on a certain surface. By putting a towel in her house she learned that a towel was the place she should "go to the bathroom". We then put towels in baskets in a few spots around the house and when she had to "go" she would jump in the basket and "go to the bathroom". This is no different than having a dog, cat or a child running around the home, they occasionally get into things they should not, but it allows the animal to more fully utilize its senses and the exercise builds a stronger healthier animal.
Getting a Guinea Pig to stand up is the easiest trick. Just hold their food (lettuce is best) just over their heads and they will start to stand up. Give them a small taste as they make a movement upwards. Continue to reward their small efforts until they are able to fully stand up. You must start when they are young!
I have been able to get a few Guinea Pigs to turn around in a circle after standing up. Again this was taught in pieces as they learned to turn bit by bit until they would finally turn in a full circle.
Another trick that really amuses friends is getting your Pig to squeak on command. Again anything that is associated with food is easily learned by a Guinea Pig. Before feeding my Pigs I would do my best Guinea Pig squeak three times. Now whenever I "squeak" they respond with a loud round of squeaking in return.
How a Guinea Pig trains you. While holding a Guinea Pig for a long period of time they will eventually have to go "to the bathroom". Most Pigs will want to "go" on the material in their cage. I have found that most will get a bit restless when its time to "go". Watch for this and you should be able to avoid some messes. One strange thing that most of our Pigs have learned is the pulling of our shirt with their teeth when they need to "go". Our first Guinea Pig Emma started it and seems to have taught it to our other Pigs and it has been passed down for over twelve years to all of our other Guinea Pigs. Now tell me Guinea Pigs don't talk to each other.
NOw this is going to seem really silly, but I found this stuffed guinea pig toy at the pet store and it has a "pocket" on its belly that you put food in. I put a carrot it it and put in Daizie's house and she pushed it around with her nose and kicked it around with her front paws. It is really funny!!
This trick was sent to me by Taylor, Max and Shadow.
1. I started teaching him around 2 months old
2. Get several small pieces of carrots (or other veg.)
3. First I would place him inbetween my feet but hold him loosely with my hands
4. Then I would slowly walk with him just above the ground where he could barely touch his feet
5. After a while he started following me so I rewarded him with a carrot piece
6. Now he will folllow me around the house or the backyard.
7. Our other guinea pig is sort of shy so he won't do it alone but he does follow Max around the house...
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