Edna's trick title video: https://youtu.be/PjhCC0v-sJ8
Learning tricks with my guinea pigs was a game-changer.
Initially, when I tried to touch them, they ran away. For them, I was one great big aversive stimulus!
To address their fear response, I studied with experts in CAT and negative reinforcement. I used “distance from me” as a reinforcer, moving towards threshold then backing away.
Slowly, Agnes and Edna let me approach. They began taking food from my hands and learned what a clicker meant.
I wanted to pet them and do nail trims without coercison (those are still my goals). However, in July 2023, something exciting happened.
I’d got in touch with someone I met at Susan and Peta Clarke’s 2019 Australian seminar, Learning About Learning. Noeline was running an “All Animals” Trick group.
Members used the “Do More with Your Dog” organisation rules but rather than dogs, people trained all kinds of animals, including a champion trick sheep.
At this point, I could approach my piggies and sometimes, they even approached me. But I couldn’t trim their nails or scritch their cute little ears – and I felt like I’d reached a dead end.
Tricks were the key that opened the door. I began working with Edna on simple things – nose touch to hand and to a target stick. These were tricks!
We bonded and communicated better and at last, we had achievable goals.
By November, Edna knew 15 tricks and Noeline, our assessor, gave us a pass. We got our Novice title! I am so proud!
Training is fun and reinforcing for me. It makes me happy that my piggies feel safe and willing to train.
Now I have animals who’ve “learned to learn” tricks, I’d like to follow the Brelands’ example and teach them to play a toy piano. There are few things Edna and Agnes won’t do for a piece of carrot!
