How to Train Your Pet Rat to Come When Called
October 19, 2009 by RatsRatsRats
Filed under Rat Training
Similar Pet Rat Info:
- Rat Training Learn the basic of Training your Pet Rat. It will...
- Introducing Your Rat to Other Pets Pet Rats can get along great with your other animals,...
- PetSmart Super Pet Deluxe for Exotics It can be hard to find a rat cage that...
- Rat Clicker Training Learn how to Train your Pet Rat with a clicker!...
- Rat Food Pet Rats really enjoy their food and by providing them...
what shoud i have as treat
My rats (especially Pea) will do anything for Weetbix cereal. I am amazed that a seemingly boring food should cause them so much excitement. It is a good idea to try a few different treats and see what your rats like best.
Is it ok if I train my rat to come by holding out a treat, and calling her name,”Molli” and if she comes, give it to her, and just keep doing that over and over again until everytime I call Molli, she comes whether a treat is there or not. Can you also give me helpful tips on how to do that…? Thx!
i cant train my female rats help me i im trying to train my 1 rat bonnie her name its going okka but becuse there female they just wanne run away and wont concrate on me. clyde my other female always runs away and then rutruns back later when i try and trainning her she wont rsponded the only time she comes when shes is in the cage. and they like treats but when i try giving them in tranning they dont allways take it they pfree to run and play how can i train better and cram them down.
Hi Kass,
It sounds like you have the right idea for training Molli. It can take patience and some rats take to training quicker than others, so just give her time. Try some different treats and see what Molli really loves (for example Pea and Mingles adore Weetbix), once you have found a treat they love, you will find training a lot easier.
Be sure to keep training sessions short (5 mins). You can also use a clicker when you give the food reward, so that eventually Molli will connect the click with something positive and you can use it to reward her in the future and give her a clear signal she has done something right.
For more info on rat training click here.
For more info on rat clicker training click here.
Good Luck and make sure every training session positive for your rat.
Hi Courtney,
It can take time to train pet rats. You should also remember that some rats just aren’t all that interested in training. They would rather be exploring, hiding food and generally causing mischief.
To encourage her to take an interest in training you should make sure you have the tastiest treat you can think of for your rats. Pea loves Weetbix or banana, so try a few different things. You should also only train one rat at a time and do the training in a separate area. Try to make sure the training area doesn’t have too many distractions. Keep the training sessions short at about 5 minutes, so that your little one doesn’t get bored.
Ensure that you always use positive reinforcement when your training, such as praise, a treat and a click from the clicker.
If they really don’t take to training, it is not your fault – they are just free spirits. Enjoy playing with them, watching them and caring for them instead. That can be just as much fun than training.
Good Luck
Yes they do cause lots trouble and love to hide and run all over the place there so active and don’t take a minute to stop when they’re out of their cage. I love playing games with them like tapping my hand on the floor they try to catch it
thxxxss 4 ur adive lovin the webiste XD
i love my rats bonnie and clyde
They sound great little characters and I bet you have loads of fun playing with them. I am glad you like the site
I once came across this site when looking up how to train a pet rat. I then read “How to Train Your Rat” and found it very useful. I just want to say that I have found lots of information about caring for pet rats.
Thanks a Bunch,
-Ivy-(age 10)
I am glad you have found the site useful Ivy.
Hey,
My rat Laila, will not eat outside the cage. You can give her a treat which she would dive for in the cage outside and she will just sniff it and walk away. What should I do to train her to come when called if she wont want the treat in the first place, never mind if she has to work with it x
Hi AJ,
Try doing your training session in an area without many distractions. Leila is probably so interested in her surroundings she has no time for treats. Keep the training sessions short and let her have her exploring time as well.
Is the cage big enough to do some training in the cage? You could put your hand in and teach her some basics, like begging, whilst she is still in her home using treats and a clicker. She may then understand better what you want her to do outside of the cage.
Remember not all rats like training. Some prefer cuddles, others prefer exploring. It is important to keep things fun for Leila and if she doesn’t want to train don’t make her. Rats are just as fun to watch as they get into mischief.
Good Luck
when my rat shadow is in his house i make a moise and he comes out i just got him yesterday and he is smart even for a 6 week old
Oh yes Taia rats are very intelligent and many will quickly learn their name and to come when called.
Hi,
I have a female, hairless rat named Mazie. I have had her for about three months and i am new to rat training. i have had one or two short sessions with mazie to try to teach her her name and i think she is starting to pick up. her favorite treats are sunflower seeds..(just saying)
Hi,
I have a hairless rat named Mazie and i have beeen using her favorite treats, sunflower seeds, to teach her to come to her name. I have done about 1 or 2 short sessions with her and she seems to want to climb under things and make mischeif and then i end up having to get up and go get her because she doesnt respond to me calling her name. what should i do to make her more interested in learning her name rather than getting into trouble?
Hi Bella,
Continue to be patient with Mazie and do your training sessions in an area without many distractions. You will get there in the end.
I have some rat videos on you tube. you should check them out. you can find them at TheRatGirl4ever.
That’s great Ivy. I will check them out.