rat training

Training decorative rats is a very interesting and exciting process that allows you to better study the habits of a pet and reveal its talents. With the right approach to classes, you will be surprised more than once by the sharp mind of your animal, its ability to quickly find solutions, activity and cheerfulness.

Happy ornamental rat owners around the world have successfully taught their pets a huge number of tricks that any circus arena would envy. On the Internet, you can easily find sites entirely dedicated to rat training. With a visual step-by-step guide: text, graphic and video materials.

Overcoming difficult obstacles and labyrinths, solving intricate tasks, standing on hind legs, jumping through a hoop, rolling objects and washing on command – these are just the basic tricks that can be taught to a talented animal. Watch your pet’s tendencies, use your imagination – and maybe together you will invent completely new amazing tricks!

Many owners enjoy setting up dollhouses for rats with miniature rooms and furniture, and instilling “human” behaviors in their pets, such as resting on the crib. All this is achieved with the help of a powerful stimulus – treats, which in this case can be put under the covers. Finding treats on a toy bed, the rat will experience positive associations and, accordingly, repeat its trick. And a little more about human behavior: many rats enjoy riding in toy radio-controlled cars! Watching this action is one feast for the eyes.

But for training to be successful, a number of rules must be observed. 

• Training should never be an obsession. It should be seen as an enjoyable time with a pet, as a game that is fun for both, and not as exhausting workouts and hard work. 
• If the rat is tired and refuses to exercise, try again the next day.
• Any methods of punishment in relation to the rodent are unacceptable. Your pet will not understand what you want from him, and will only start to be afraid of you.

How to train a rat? Basic principles

The following basics will help train a rat at home:

– start training at an early age, but after the rat is fully adapted to the new home;

– before proceeding to training, make contact with the rodent. Classes will be effective only if the rat will trust you and will not be afraid of you. She must get used to you;

– move from simple to complex. First, teach your pet easy tricks and gradually increase their difficulty;

– be sure to take into account the natural inclinations, the level of intelligence and the individual characteristics of the rodent. Do not demand the impossible;

– try to come up with tricks based on the natural inclinations of the rodent, do not impose behavior that is not characteristic of it;

– regularly reward the rat for performing tricks with treats, reinforce skills by repeating commands.

That’s all you need to know about in the first stages.

We will be glad if you share your successes with us and tell us (and even better show on the video) what your pet can do. Join us in social networks!