This blog is an outpost of the Cavybeat site, where I will be testing this theory by attempting to teach my three female guinea pigs a variety of simple, safe tricks with food incentives.
Without further ado, let's meet our three "contestants" for the title of Officially Trained Guinea Pig.
The Obstreperous Odd Sock
Alternative identities: Sock, Sockie, Ruffles (due to her coat; see photo)
Age: Approximately three years old
Breed: Part-Abysinnian
Appearance: White, ginger-brown and black. Thin white facial stripe. Rough coat with two rosettes on sides of rump.
Special talents: Evading capture in the cage.
Phobias: Yet to display any.
Medical notes: Has had bumblefoot in the past.
Other notes: Abysinnians are rumoured to be a smart breed. Will the Obstreperous Odd Sock live up to this reputation?
The Metamorphosing Mushroom
Alternative identities: Mushy, Badger (see photo)
Age: Approximately three years old
Breed: Apparently part-Sheltie or Peruvian. May be a silky?
Appearance: longish hair toward rump. Smooth, silky dark-grey-and-white coat. White facial blaze that varies in shape depending on the direction her long hair is combed.
Special talents: Escaping, squishing into narrow or flat gaps, destroying fences and boundaries
Phobias: Having her face touched.
Medical notes: Has had URI, bumblefoot, mites in past.
Other notes: Mushroom can be quite crazy at times but will settle down for a cuddle. She is a talented escaper but is this a result of her flexible, metamorphosing body or some hidden genius?
The Ambiguous Allopoka
Alternative identities: Ally, Poksie
Age: Approximately two years old
Breed: Short-hair
Appearance: Short, white coat with speckled brown spots on rump and face, light ginger patches on face, black-and-pink ears. White blaze on face.
Special talents: People-friendly, gentle, nursing nature. Squealing at the vets'. ?Chirping?
Phobias: Hates having her teeth examined (see Special talents). Frightened of wind.
Medical notes: Previous unspecified weight loss/listlessness, possibly UTI, cleared with Baytril.
Other notes: Random outbreaks of midnight chirping have been blamed on the Ambiguous Allopoka.
