By Cedric James
People would think that guinea pigs have low intellectual capabilities. They are often mistaken as dumb creatures. But this is a common misnomer and should be corrected. Guinea pigs are very intelligent mammals that enable them to perform different tasks and tricks.
Conditioning
Like most creatures, guinea pigs can learn through repetition. The cause and effect of what they are doing triggers a psychological process which is commonly termed by scientists as classical conditioning. It works by telling your cavy that this action leads to these consequences. A very good example of this is when your cavy becomes excited and jumps around every time you open the cage door. The reason is that it knows that upon opening the cage, you would refill the food bowl or set it free on the floor.
A great motivator for the guinea pig to perform a trick or task is the presence of a reward such as a treat. What greater joy would your cavy experience than to have a full stomach? After all, being hungry is indeed a terrible thing to experience.
In some instances, pet owners punish their cavies if a task is not performed well. This is not recommended, pets will live in fear and your presence alone will make them tremble. I have heard of cases of cavies getting hit by a newspaper in the mouth if it would demand food. Slapping the fragile mouth of the cavy can lead to all sorts of injury and even death. Therefore, harsh punishment should not be done.
Treats and Praises
Treats are preferably edible nutritious foods. Depending on your pet's preference, vegetables and fruits cut into small pieces are the best choice for treats. Just remember not to give excessive amounts for they might be full and won't find additional treats pleasant anymore.
Besides the treat, additional praises can be added after or before the task. Cavies love motivating words such as "go piggy". Gentle caress on the head can also boosts the cavy's moral and it would feel very happy after it successfully performed the task.
A special consideration to be firm with is not to give treats if the task is not executed. This is only indicated if the cavy has already learned the trick. If you do give the treat, you defy the purpose of the whole conditioning process. Your cavy would think that he can have the treat even if he does nothing.
Owners Responsibility
As a cavy owner, you should know the strengths and limitations of your cavy. Remember that some tricks require strength and youthfulness. Always consider the age of your cavy. Take note that training them earlier is always better. The saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks", is half true and very applicable to your cavy. Old ones can still learn tricks but it will take a little more time and effort for this to be done. In addition, some tricks such as sitting up requires your cavy to be young. Sitting up is when your cavy sits on his butt with his two front legs upward. Old cavies can't do this because they have a bad spine and a decreased in muscle strength.
