How to House Train a Pet Monkey

Can You Train A Monkey?

Many websites and “experts” will tell you that monkeys cannot be house trained. This may be true for some species (1). The house training method I describe here may work with many species but, since I’ve only worked with capuchins and spider monkeys, I can’t tell you that for sure. (I have worked with marmosets, and this method does not work with them. Some species will learn but it will take longer.)

With a lot of effort and a lot of positive reinforcement, you can house train a few monkeys. It is also possible to train your monkey to pee on command (2), which means that they are less likely to have accidents later when running around your house.

Remember that monkeys are smart but not as smart as dogs and cats. They are not animals and do not look for a special place to urinate. Monkeys are used to urinating and defecating wherever they are and have no natural inclination to choose a toilet location.

House Training an Adult Monkey

To train your monkey, you have to rely on their intelligence. Build a large enclosure, something they’ll enjoy spending time in, but when they’re running around your house or yard, you need to make sure you’re playing with them, giving them treats, and making sure they’re enjoying the outdoors. the cage.

• Every day, you have to let the monkey out so they can enjoy your house or yard.
• Allow the monkey to spend some time outside. As long as the monkey does not pee, you can give treats and praise.
• When the monkey pees on you, game time is over. Pick them up and put them back in the cage and take out all their loose toys. It’s not really a punishment, more of a “time out,” so make sure they’re there for at least half an hour, enough time for them to get bored of the surroundings.
• Bring them back after this time and play with them again. If they urinate on you again, you should put them back in the cage.
• Within a few days, the monkey will learn that they are not going to pee on you or that their playtime is over.
• When your monkey is house trained, he will need to be able to run and pee occasionally. If they jump on you and run into a tree, you have to let them. After they’re done, they’ll want to come back to see what you’ve been up to.
• If you don’t want to let your monkey jump up and find a place to use as their toilet, you will never be able to train your monkey. Keeping a monkey in a cage all the time is cruel and, since diapers are not a good option for many animals, you should have a different kind of pet.

Baby Monkey House Training

House training a very young monkey is almost impossible.

Like a small child still in diapers, they will need to urinate frequently, and they have little control over their bladder and bowels. The best way to deal with a monkey that is too young to be house trained is to use small diapers made for children. (When they are young they are very tolerant of diapers. As adults, they are more likely to tear them.)

A monkey of any age can have accidents, and if you can’t deal with it, you should consider getting another pet. For example, recently, a monkey sat on my shoulder as he watched the village children play in the square. One of the children fired and the monkey, frightened, peed on my shoulder.

Since I live in the tropics, it’s easy enough to take the shirt off and rinse it. If you think it’s a terrible thing, and not something you can bear, don’t get a monkey.

Can All Monkeys be Housetrained?

Not all monkeys can be trained at home, and not all people can train their monkeys.

If you can’t follow this technique every time, your monkey probably won’t be housetrained. Some people live with this issue, and even their adult monkeys wear diapers when outside the cage.

Such monkeys often end up spending most of their lives in cages.

I don’t think a monkey in that situation makes a good pet. Unless you have a lot of time to spend with your monkey and are willing to accept some failures, you are better off getting a pet that is easier to train.

Shelters are full of good dogs looking for a home.

References

1. Rogge, J., Sherenco, K., Malling, R., Thiele, E., Lambeth, S., Schapiro, S., & Williams, L. (2013). A comparison of positive reinforcement training techniques in owls and squirrel monkeys: time required to train reliability. Journal of applied animal welfare science : JAAWS, 16(3), 211–220. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4652797/
2. Smith TE, McCallister JM, Gordon SJ, Whittikar M. Quantitative data on the training of new world primates to urinate. Am J Primatol. 2004 Sep;64(1):83-93. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15356860/
3. Berger M, Calapai A, Stephan V, Niessing M, Burchardt L, Gail A, Treue S. Standardized automated training of rhesus monkeys for neuroscience research in their housing environment. J Neurophysiol. 2018 Mar 1;119(3):796-807. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29142094/
4. Gillis, TE, Janes, AC, & Kaufman, MJ (2012). Positive reinforcement training in squirrel monkeys using clicker training. American journal of primatology, 74(8), 712–720. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3412074/

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. It is not intended to replace diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals showing signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Comments

Mark dos Anjos, DVM (author) from The Atlantic Rain Forest, Brazil on May 17, 2020:

Daddy pig, there are so many variables that no one can answer this. What kind of animal, what kind of food you provide, what size environment, veterinary care, etc. At a minimum, plan on US$1000

Daddy pig on May 17, 2020:

How much does owning a pet monkey cost per year for basic food and household items.

Errol Sperling on November 02, 2019:

I HAVE A PET SQUIRREL MONKEY WHO IS POTY TRAINED TO GO BACK IN HIS CAGE TO DO IT BY HIMSELF. HE IS NOT MISTAKE. SHE IS VERY SMART AND I MUST SAY I MISS HER.

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on March 29, 2016:

I’ll probably never have to housetrain a monkey in my life, but I still find this hub interesting! I like your pictures. Thanks for sharing the advice. This should be very useful for a person with a pet monkey and for the monkey as well.

Bob Bamberg on March 29, 2016:

Well, I’ll be the monkey’s uncle! Should we expect follow-up articles like “The Seven Best Monkeys That Look Like Your In-Laws,” “Set An Extra Plate At The Table – Don’t Give Your Simian Monkey Chow,” and “Cool Old Names For New World Monkeys ?”

Interesting article, Doc. Quite a departure from your usual dog stuff. Here in the US most states prohibit, or require a permit for, monkey ownership; and permits are usually only issued to zoos, research facilities, etc. I think states that allow ownership of monkeys draw the line between great apes and baboons. Do you have a monkey or are you just treating it?

Joanna Darling from Jupiter on March 28, 2016:

Love it!

Source link