How to train your rat to do tricks

By David Lessem

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Grapes
Rat treats
String

Simple Tricks

Step 1:
Spend time with your rat. Like most animals, rats have to be socialized in order to get along with people. Play with your rat. If there aren't hazards and places for the rat to get lost, let him wander around the room when you are there watching TV or reading. The more comfortable the rat is with you, the easier he will be to train.
Step 2:
Before you move on to advanced tricks, start with something basic: train your rat to come when called.
Step 3:
Sit in front of your rat with a treat in your hand. Rats will eat pretty much anything. Fruit is a good choice because they love it, and it is healthy for them too.
Step 4:
Hold the fruit up and say a command such as "come," or "here." When the rat comes, give him the treat and pet him.
Step 5:
Repeat the trick, moving a bit further away from the rat each time. Pretty soon, you should be able to get him to come from across the room.
Step 6:
Start only giving the rat the treat sometimes. Intermittent reinforcement is a powerful training technique.
Step 7:
Teach the rat to stand. First, hold the treat above the rat, saying the command "stand."
Step 8:
Give the rat the treat as soon as she stands. Petting and praise will also help to show your rat that she did a good job.
Step 9:
Use the same techniques as above to reinforce the training. Practice the trick until the rat will for you whether you give her a treat or not.

Advanced Tricks

Step 1:
Teach the rat to spin. Hold a small treat between your fingers and let the rat smell it.
Step 2:
Say "spin," while slowly twirling the treat around the rat. He should follow you around in a circle. If he does, reward him by giving him the treat.
Step 3:
Repeat the trick, being sure to say the command spin every time. Give the rat a treat when he gets it right.
Step 4:
Try just saying the word "spin" without giving the rat a treat. If he gets it right, reward him.
Step 5:
You can teach your rat to shake hands, roll over, and do many other tricks once he learns to follow your gestures for a reward.

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