Dedication

      This book is dedicated to all the guinea pigs that will have better lives because their owners read this book.

       Note of Warning

      This book deals with the keeping and training of guinea pigs as pets. In working with these animals, you may occasionally sustain scratches or bites. Administer first aid immediately, and seek medical attention if necessary.

      Guinea pigs MUST be provided with a large habitat, as cramped living conditions can lead to stress and illness. Supervise your guinea pigs during any out-of-the-cage playtime, and to avoid life-threatening accidents, be particularly careful that your pets do not gnaw on electrical cords, plastic, or small objects. Handle your guinea pigs carefully; they can sustain spinal and other severe injuries if handled incorrectly.

      To prevent serious medical problems, it is essential that you provide your guinea pigs with an adequate source of Vitamin C on a daily basis; consult a veterinarian for advice on the correct daily dosage. Guinea pigs can be carriers of serious or even life-threatening diseases that can spread to other guinea pigs, sometimes even to people and other animals. So observe a recommended quarantine period before exposing a new guinea pig to your resident guinea pigs, and always wash your hands thoroughly when handling any ill or quarantined guinea pigs. Observe a strict hand-washing protocol after handling any guinea pigs that aren’t resident in your home. At the first sign of Illness, take your guinea pig to a veterinarian. Also consult your veterinarian for advice on proper nutrition, care, and husbandry for your guinea pigs.

       Disclaimer

      The information provided in this book is designed to provide helpful information on the keeping, care, husbandry, and training of guinea pigs as pets. Any material, information, text, graphics, illustrations, and/or photos in this book may contain technical inaccuracies, mistakes, errors, omissions, and typographical errors, both in content and presentation. In no event shall the authors or publisher be liable for any errors or omissions with respect to any information contained within this text. Information found in this book should not be relied upon for personal, medical, legal, or financial decisions, and you should consult an appropriate professional for specific advice tailored to your specific situation. The information in this book is provided on an “AS IS” basis without warranties or conditions of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, non-infringement or implied warranties of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose. There shall be no liability whatsoever on the part of Barron’s Educational Series, Inc., or the authors, for any indirect, punitive, incidental, special, or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever, arising out of the use of, or inability to use, the information contained within this book.

       Acknowledgments

      • To our families for their support and understanding.

      • To each other: for lots of fun times, laughter, and encouragement. There’s never a dull moment when we’re writing together!

      • To our photography models: Allison, Alexis, and Marzipanda; Sue, Alyssa, Ricky, and Floyd; and, Melanie, Sophie, and Daisy.

      • Thanks to Gary for his two-cents worth!

      • To the following individuals and companies for their help and cooperation:

      – Bee Line Signs, Welland, ON

      – Jason Casto, Super Pet, Pets International, Inc.

      – Rolf C. Hagen, Inc.

      – Ron Leavens, Pet Valu, Fonthill, ON

      • Photos on pages back cover, 31, 34, 36, 40, 54, and 100 from Shutterstock. All other photos are by Gerry Bucsis and Barbara Somerville.

      • Products on the following pages are courtesy of Super Pet, Pets International, Inc.: viii, 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 22, 24, 26, 32, 35, 39, 41, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 55, 56, 58, 60, 61, 66, 74, 77, 79, 80, 93, and 96.

      • Products on the following pages are courtesy of Rolf. C. Hagen, Inc.: 95

      • Products on the following pages are courtesy of Bee Line Signs, Welland, ON: 5, 8, 14, 25, 26, and 50

      • The StarMark clicker seen in the photos is used with the consent of Triple Crown Dog Academy, Inc.

      © Copyright 2012 by Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

      All rights reserved.

      No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the written permission of the copyright owner.

       All inquiries should be addressed to:

      Barron’s Educational Series, Inc.

      250 Wireless Boulevard

      Hauppauge, New York 11788

       www.barronseduc.com

      Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 2011007731

      ISBN: 978-0-7641-4625-1

       Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Bucsis, Gerry.

      Training your pet guinea pig/Gerry Bucsis, Barbara Somerville.

      p. cm.

      Includes bibliographical references and index.

      ISBN 978-0-7641-4625-1 (pbk.)

      1. Guinea pigs as pets. 2. Guinea pigs—training. I. Somerville, Barbara. II. Title.

      SF459.G9B84 2011

      636.935’92—dc22 2011007731

      9 8

       Contents

       Introduction

       1. Preparations Come First