Оглавление
Gerry Bucsis. Training Your Guinea Pig
TRAINING YOURPET GUINEA PIG
Dedication
Note of Warning
Disclaimer
Acknowledgments
Contents
Introduction
Chapter One. Preparations Come First. Getting ready for your guinea pig
A cavy-friendly cage
Commercial cages
Build-it-yourself cages
Assembly time
Prepackaged kits
Multi-level cages and extensions
Prime location
Bedding basics
A hidey house is a must
A vet for your pet
Chapter Two. Good Nutrition Is Important for Lifelong Learning. Healthy body, healthy mind
Nutrition basics
A vital vitamin
Vegetables and fruits
Stay away from…
H2O
Dietary changes
Chapter Three. Choosing Your Trainees. Which little piggies?
Where to buy
An only cavy is a lonely cavy
Breeds of guinea pigs
Male or female?
Young or old?
Pick of the litter
Chapter Four. Training Your Cavies to Trust You. Stress-free homecoming
Settling in
Connecting with your cavies
Handling how-to
Grooming builds trust
Family fun
No nipping, please
Bonding takes time
Chapter Five. Fostering Friendship: Guinea Pig Introductions. Time for another cavy?
Which groupings work?
Quarantine comes first
Socializing sessions
Be prepared for conflict
Same-scent strategies
A clean cage for a fresh start
Neighbors, not roommates
Guinea pigs and other pets
Chapter Six. Learning Guinea Pig Language. Guinea pig sounds: a translation guide
Wheeking
Chutting
Cooing
Purring or chortling
Chirping
Rumbling
Teeth chattering
Hissing
Whining
Shrieking
An audio guide
Chapter Seven. Decoding Body Language. Gauging your guinea pig’s mood
Pop-corning
Running laps
Sniffing and/or touching noses
Nudging and head tossing
Freezing
Fleeing and stampeding
Squirming
Rumble-strutting
Reading the signs
Chapter Eight. A Need to Gnaw. Chomping and chewing
Management vs. training
Owner-approved chewies
What not to give
Lesson plans for lessening the damage
Hair chewing
Chapter Nine. Challenge Your Cavy’s IQ-Set Up a Stimulating Cage. Keeping your cavies on their toes
Hideaways
Tents and hammocks
Sleep sacks and cavy cozies
Bricks, stones, and rocks
Hanging toys and treats
Stuffed toys
Rearranging the furniture
Hide-and-seek
Chapter Ten. Out-of-the-Cage Playtime. Exercise is a must
Picking a play area
Flooring considerations
Safety first: guinea pig proofing
Setup…keep it simple
Supervised play
Watch your step
Floor time
A guinea pig playpen
Outdoor play
Chapter Eleven. Learning Through Play. Fun and games with your guinea pigs
Tunnel fun
Antics with paper and cardboard
Toss toys
Baked pine cones
Balls
Digging for treasure
Stay away from…
Chapter Twelve. Training Technique #1 — Lure-Reward Training. Luring with food
Picking the treats
Treats on the “no-no” list
Turning in a circle
Random rewards
A positive experience
Chapter Thirteen. Training Technique #2—Clicker Training. What is clicker training?
The clicker and the treats
“Charging” the clicker
Capturing a behavior
Luring and modeling for results
Shaping, step-by-step
Adding a cue or command
Unrequested repeat performances
Phasing out the clicker
Clicking for success
Chapter Fourteen. Coming When Called. Coming on command
Luring and rewarding
Using an alternative cue
Clicking for your cavy
Keep practicing
Chapter Fifteen. Litter Training. Fact or fiction?
Coprophagy
Picking a suitable litter box
Litter choices
Cage training
Training in the play area
Potty station
Accidents will happen!
Chapter Sixteen. Teaching Tricks. Make life interesting
Which training method to use?
Touching a target stick
Follow me!
Stand up and beg
Rolling a ball
Ringing a bell
The Guinea Pig Olympics
More tricks for treats
Chapter Seventeen. Lessons in Leash Walking. Leash walking a guinea pig?
Choosing a harness and leash
Getting your cavy accustomed to the harness
The great outdoors
Outdoor rules
Chapter Eighteen. Guinea Pig Travel Plans. The stay-at-home guinea pig
Short trips
Longer journeys
Air travel
Chapter Nineteen. A Lifetime of Learning. Ongoing interaction
Guinea pigs are individuals
A two-way reward
Information
Index
