Can you teach guinea pigs to do tricks?

Hi,

I am curious as we have two great little guinea pigs in our home if they can be trained to do tricks? I read somewhere that is possible but I am wondering if anyone truly has succeeded

Our little guys are so fun. My kids love having them and spend a lot of time with them. They definitely have attached themselves to the kids and will squeak when the kids enter the room.

Just wondering if my kids can attempt to teach them some tricks and if anyone else has done this or not.

Pets should never be forced to do something they would not do naturally, but they can be trained. Guinea pigs, like most animals, will perform for you if they know they will be rewarded with food at the end of the 'trick'. For example, you could train a guinea pig to run around a specially constructed miniature assault course, passing through large tubes or old pipes, climbing up to a low platform and down a slope. You would need to ensure that the guinea pig understands that along the way and at the end of this route it will find its favorite food.

Obviously there is a limit to what sort of tricks a guinea pig can be trained to do, and it is important to make sure it is kept safe at all times, and that it not afraid to perform in this way.

Hi jowjo5,
I have heard that they can learn to do little tricks. Obviously nothing drastic, but they can learn to respond to their name and stand up on their hind legs. Like Rube said, it's all about the food. If you call their name while waving some lettuce, they will eventually learn to come when you call them without the treat.