Training hoomans again

PiggyintheMiddle

Adult Guinea Pig
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This behaviour has been going on for a while and I wanted to share it. As you may know, Ophelia and Bianca have trained us before, jumping up onto the mezzanine and waiting for nuggets, for example. It began when we encouraged them up there so we could clean below. Now they have another way to ask for food. Mum noticed that Ophelia would rub her nose after having an extra nugget or two as a treat and decided she was very politely asking for another, please. (They only have 8 in the morning so that there is leeway for an extra few in the day). Now, when they have finished one treat and want another, they will look up at us to see if we get the hint. We're almost always too slow, so what they do next is rub their nose twice before looking up again. This happens each time they want food (which is very often) and it's a very clear message. The nose-rubbing can get very frantic when they we are being too slow in putting down their bowls of vegetables! I'm curious to know how other piggies have trained their hoomans.​
 
Thea my old girl has a give me my food look and then she starts talking in a certain tone which I know means give me some food NOW Hooman! When I open the cage door and she knows she's getting something to eat she just does her old lady popcorns which are now just up and down on her front legs.

Thea in hutch 6.webp
 
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