Getting a puppy, how to keep the piggies happy and safe?

TinaY

TinaY

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After 2 years wait, we are finally getting a puppy in a bit over a month. I want to make sure that Donuts and Buckets have the same freedom and safety (aka safe floor time and not feeling hunted in their own cage) as they did so far. Any tips from you who have dogs and guinea pigs living happily together in one household? Thank you! 🤗
 
Hello. How exciting. I used to have in door pigs and a dog. Their cages were on cupboards so the dog couldn’t get to them or see in. The door to that room was always shut when I was out. Play time was fine as long as you remember to keep the door shut and the dog in another room. Worked out absolutely fine for me. No problem at all. But you have to be vigilant and so does everyone else in the house too. 😃
 
That is what I was thinking, to keep the door shut and the cage safely lifted. I was somehow magically hoping they can be best buddies, but I guess instincts on both sides will prevail unfortunately.
 
What sort of cage do your piggies currently have and where in your house do they live.
Also a lot will spend on the type of dog you are getting (big/small, breed)?

It is great you are already thinking about how to keep your piggies safe - the idea of them being 'friends' with your dog is sweet, but not safe or realistic.
At the very least there is no benefit for either animal, and at the very worst a tragic accident can only take seconds.

Depending on their cage, the layout of your home, and the size of your new dog a baby gate across the piggy room door might be an option.
Basically you need to find a way to make sure that the dog can't get to the piggy cage.
 
I have a C&C cage that is lifted off the floor one level, but thinking maybe we need to add another layer or put the gate around it.

The dog breed is Cavalier, so smaller size.

Yes, you are right, accidents only take a second and we should not risk it. After all, it can just be a reflex and it is enough to cause a tragedy.
 
My dog is a border terrier. So they are the type of dog to chase small furry animals. So he was never allowed to even see them.
 
I think that is smart. I just need to find a way to secure the house, unfortunately it is very open floor so there will never be a complete isolation due to lack of doors, but I will figure out something using baby gates or building up their cage is some way. I am just worried adding second layer will make it very unstable because it is in total 4X8 panels and it is already somewhat wobbly. But good to know that it is best to keep them apart so I will make that my mission and drop the fairytale hopes of eternal friendship🙃. I used to have a Pekingese and she was so trained that a wild hedgehog could walk around her and when I told her to not touch, she completely cooperated. Hence my hopes, but now they are managed ha ha, thank you for the advice!
 
That's exciting to be adding to your family with a puppy. Is the cage on a stand made from grids? Putting the cage on trestle tables would make it higher, and be stable.
 
Yes, it is all grids. I will look into that idea, thank you. The trick is to not make it too bulky since it can block our balcony door 🙈.
 
Do you think using zip ties would make it sturdier? Has anyone tried?
 
Yes using cable ties makes it more stable (I use cable ties as my temporary indoor cage when my piggies come inside) but having it higher is going to be one of your main sources of protection from the puppy
 
Putting it on a table would be a good idea. Then you’d still get the light in from the balcony. Maybe the dogs bed could go under it like a den. My sisters dog loves laying under things.
 
Yes I gave up on those connectors which always popped out for me. I have a very stable 4 x 4/5 on a grid stand, all just cable tied together.
 
I thought it was just me who had to check those connectors all the time🙄. I will give it a try, sounds like the best option for the space we have, thank you!
 
Piggies&buns said:
Yes using cable ties makes it more stable (I use cable ties as my temporary indoor cage when my piggies come inside) but having it higher is going to be one of your main sources of protection from the puppy
Click to expand...
Yes, and then I do not need to worry that one of the family members will forget to close the baby gate. It has to be a permanent solution that cannot get forgotten.
 
I had this at one point, there are lots for sale, you'd obviously need more than one or a bigger one. It was very sturdy. I stopped using it as it was too high for my son to interact with the piggies, so that could be the height you need.

Screenshot_20210930_091617.webp
 
TinaY said:
I think that is smart. I just need to find a way to secure the house, unfortunately it is very open floor so there will never be a complete isolation due to lack of doors, but I will figure out something using baby gates or building up their cage is some way. I am just worried adding second layer will make it very unstable because it is in total 4X8 panels and it is already somewhat wobbly. But good to know that it is best to keep them apart so I will make that my mission and drop the fairytale hopes of eternal friendship🙃. I used to have a Pekingese and she was so trained that a wild hedgehog could walk around her and when I told her to not touch, she completely cooperated. Hence my hopes, but now they are managed ha ha, thank you for the advice!
Click to expand...
I have a 10 x 2 panel C&C and it used to be on a C&C stand.
I had the same issues as you and wound the height a bit too low and the cage was pretty wobbly.
I ended up putting it onto 2 tables (dining tables from Ikea) arranged in an L shape and cable tying the whole thing together.
This works much better, is very stable, and provides me with a lot of storage underneath.
 
Dogs are dogs, despite the current fashion for treating them as though they are toddlers!

Mine are pretty highly trained and know not to disturb or harass any other species, from a bee to a cow - but a few days ago the most arrogant of the rats decided it wanted to go from a to b across the lawn whomever was in the way, and ran full pelt right under my youngest dog's legs - it was too much and he took off after it, I stopped him, but it just proves that even the best trained dogs have their moments!
 
That is VERY impressive! But you are right, instincts will remain strong no matter how much you train your dog.
 
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