Training Guinea Pigs

Katie Frimston and James Brereton MSc explain how it is possible to train guinea pigs and other small pets, and the benefits that this can bring for them.

- Katie Frimston and James Brereton

Animal training is a powerful tool used to enrich the lives of domestic, exotic and companion animals, while also making animal management and husbandry easier. Animal training may vary, from the highly structured training regimes of guide dogs to the training systems used for sea lions and wild cats in zoos. Historically, training has focused upon large animal species; small rodents have tended to be overlooked, because training is not always regarded as a necessary part of their husbandry regime. However, there are actually clear benefits to training your small furry pet – particularly the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus).

What is training?

Animal training has taken place since ancient Egyptian times, and evidence of this has been found in ancient Egyptian papyrus scenes depicting hyenas (Hyaenidae) lying down in association with humans (McGreevy & Boakes, 2011). Throughout history, animals have been trained for many different purposes such as military use, performing in circuses, transport, sport, hunting and to help people who need assistance. More recently, rats have been used to assist in the diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) and even mine detection in parts of Africa, with their keen sense of smell being harnessed for these purposes.

In spite of training being carried out for so many reasons, this concept still often has connotations of circuses and animals performing tricks for entertainment, rather than actually being of benefit to them. However, training may be used to enrich the life of any animal. In fact, animal training can actually be defined as “changing the frequency with which animals show certain behaviours” (McGreevy & Boakes, 2011).