Q: It will be very tempting to try to pick up, cuddle, or play with your new pet, but this could further traumatize your guinea pig. It will also make it harder for you to build trust with the guinea pig.  For the few days, you should try to avoid touching the guinea pig at all. After that, try to start petting the guinea pig for increasingly longer periods. Be patient and don’t handle your guinea pig until they seem comfortable with you. If they still don’t let you pet them, then they are not ready to be picked up. It could take several weeks or months to make the guinea pig comfortable enough to be handled so try not to rush it. Guinea pigs are prey animals and are easily spooked by sudden movements. They also have poor eyesight so try not to sneak up on them.  Talking in a soothing voice will help the guinea pig to recognize your presence. Try not to approach the guinea pig from behind. Let them see you, and approach slowly. Quick movements will scare them. If their cage is on the floor, sit down on the ground. If it is on a table, then stoop to its level. Picking up the guinea pig from above might cause it to associate you with a predator. Support their back end with one hand, and place the other hand on top of their shoulders to prevent them from jumping. Grip them securely but not too tightly, and hold them close to your body so they don’t feel like they will fall. Holding them correctly will help them to feel safe when you pick them up.  When you first start picking up your guinea pig, hold them from a seating position. Being carried while walking may make the guinea pig nervous as they fear the height. Carefully monitor children as they handle the guinea pig. Show them the correct hold and make sure they are gentle and don’t get overly excited. Consider using a blanket to carry your guinea pig. Wrapping your guinea pig in a blanket makes them feel more secure as they are carried. Interacting with your guinea pig is essential to creating a bond with them. Handling and petting your guinea pigs are important forms of interaction, but the play is a great way for you to bond with your guinea pig. If you have a room that can be completely shut off, then let them loose to explore. If there are no rooms available, create a playpen by using mesh or boxes. Just be careful that the guinea pig can’t chew through the playpen walls. This area should include boxes, balls, ramps, and cardboard paper towel tubes. Sit in or near the area and talk to your guinea pig as they play. Offer them treats, or move the ball for them to chase. Associating you with play Is an effective method for bonding with your guinea pig. And the more time they spend in your presence, the more comfortable they will be with you. Although guinea pigs can be nervous, they are also very curious. If you lay still, and cover your face, they will probably come over to sniff or climb on you. This is a great way to have fun and bond with your guinea pig. They will not understand why you are shouting and will become frightened. Shouting or punishing your guinea pig can also cause them to become scared of you and will hinder the bonding process. You should also never punish your guinea pig by withholding food, treats, or toys. They will not understand why this is occurring, and it will hurt your relationship with your guinea pig.
A: Keep handling of your guinea pig to a minimum for the first week. Give your guinea pig plenty of warning before picking them up. Avoid grabbing your guinea pig from above. Carry guinea pigs with both hands. Play with your guinea pigs for at least half an hour per day. Give guinea pigs the chance to explore outside of their cages. Create a play area for your guinea pig. Lay down in the play area and let the guinea pig investigate you. Never shout at your guinea pig.

Q: After centuries of breeding, the modern dog is one of the most varied species of animal on earth. While there’s probably a dog to suit every lifestyle, not all dogs will fit your specific needs. For example, if you like to relax, you should not get a Jack Russell Terrier, known for its constant barking and high energy. Instead, you might want a bulldog that would much prefer to cuddle on the couch all day. Research the personalities and care requirements of various breeds. Ask dog owners about their breed’s personality. Mixed breeds are also great options as they can contain personalities of various breeds you may be interested in.  Since most dogs live for 10 – 15 years, getting a dog is a long-term commitment. Make sure the breed's temperament is a good match for your lifestyle. If you haven't yet started a family, consider whether you'll have young children around the house in the next decade. Some breeds are not recommended for households with children. Be honest with yourself about the compatibility of the dog you want with your lifestyle. Don't get a dog that needs a lot of activity just because you want a reason to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle yourself. If you can’t follow through on exercising your high-energy dog, you and the dog will both end up frustrated.  Write down the needs and temperament of the breed, as well as how you will meet those needs. If it is going to take significant effort to change your lifestyle, you need to choose a different dog. He needs to be able to learn his name easily, so you can hold his attention during training.  The name should also have clear, hard sounds the dog can recognize. Names such as “Buddy” or “Rover” or “Bee Bee” have distinct sounds that stand out from the regular flood of human speech your dog hears.  Use your dog's name often when you are playing, petting him, training him, or need to get his attention. If your dog looks at you when you say his name, you know he’s learned it. Create a positive association with his name so he’ll continue to focus on you when you say it. Praise him when he responds to his name, and give him treats. Initially, you should start with several 5 minutes sessions spread out throughout the day and go no longer than 20 minutes.  This is especially important with puppies as they have a short attention span and get bored easily, just like a toddler would.  Those sessions are not the only time you’ll train your dog, though. Training actually happens throughout the day when interacting with your pet. S/he is learning from you every time you interact. Bad dog habits develop when owners let dogs get away with bad behavior outside of dedicated training sessions. So, always keep an eye on your dog outside of training sessions. If s/he knows it during training sessions, then make sure he remembers it outside of training. When you are working with your dog, be calm and neutral. Any form of agitation and excitement on your part will negatively affect the outcome of training. You should be mindful of the fact that the goal of training is to be able to reinforce good dog behavior and to ignore or not reinforce bad ones. It may sound strict but producing a well trained dog requires the determination and conviction to see it through. A 6-foot (1.82m) leash and flat collar or martingale collar may be all the you need to start, besides your treats. Consult a trainer for advice on other equipment like a “Promise Leader” head halter, a “No Pull” harness, a metal training collar, or other device. Puppies or small dogs generally do not need harsh equipment. Larger dogs may temporarily need specialized equipment (like the “Promise Leader”) to keep their focus.
A:
Choose a dog that fits your lifestyle. Don’t get an aspirational dog. Give your dog a practical name. Schedule enough time for training. Prepare your mental state for training sessions. Choose the proper equipment.