Rat Clicker Training

Can you really clicker train a rat?

Of course you can. If you have a trusting and fun relationship with your ratty anything is possible.

How do you clicker train?

First get a clicker from a pet shop or online. Most clicker have adjustable volume. Set your clicker on the quietest volume for your rat, as they have great hearing. Have your rat‘s favorite food at the ready (give yourself a quota of treats for the day so as not to overfeed) Give your rat the irresistible treat and at the exact time he takes the treat click the clicker.

After a while of doing this, wait for ratty to do something. It can be anything from simply moving, raising a leg, turning around, yawning, whatever he may do. When he does it, click the clicker and give a treat at the exact same time. Repeat this. It won’t be long until your rat realizes that he is controlling the game. He can decide when he gets the treat. You will find that he starts to repeat behaviors to get a click and a treat and will really start to enjoy the game.

Why the clicker?

You can train your rat without a clicker and simply use treats on their own, but if you do choose to use a clicker this will give your rat the definite message that “yes that is what I want you to do”. There will be no need to scold, which can be very detrimental to the learning process. The rat will work out what he needs to do after you have clicked the same action a few times.

Treats are a good way to train, but a clicker gives that definite yes that your pet craves. It will definitely make training easier for you.

If your rat is intolerant of the clicking sound (they have sensitive ears) you can use the lid from a jar, which has a security button. You can simply pop this little button in the lid, instead of a clicker.

It is up to you. You should judge how your ratty reacts to the click sound.

Word commands with the clicker

After a while you can add word commands to your clicker training. For example if you have trained your rat to clap, and he has started to clap to get a click and a treat, say “clap” when he is doing it and then say “stop ” when he stops give him a click and a treat. He will eventually associate the word “clap” with the action of clapping and with the click and the treat. You can choose to only reward your rat with a click and a treat when he claps on command, so as to avoid begging behavior.

To teach your rat a new behavior, for example pushing a ball along, you need to click and praise it at every step of the way. When he looks at the ball, click and treat, when he walks towards the ball, click and treat, when he touches the ball, click and treat, when he pushes the ball, click and treat. He will soon get the idea.

After a while you will not need to give a click and a treat every time. You may simply be able to praise. Remember keep it fun. This is playtime after all.

You can teach plenty of things with a clicker. The limit is your imagination. You can teach your rat to come to you, to sit on your shoulder, as well as party tricks, such as rolling over or even dancing.

• It is important to keep it short – Remember your rats have a lot to do. There’s exploring everything in sight for a start. Five minutes is plenty to start with. You may wish to do your first training sessions in a room where there are less distractions.
• Not all rats are as trainable as others - If your rat isn’t into school, enjoy playing other games instead like chasing with your hand, tickling, massaging and just watching them have lots of fun.
• Keep your rats healthy – A healthy, happy ratty is the most trainable and keep them well fed too, or they’ll be in no mood to do anything for you.

Oh by the way, don’t scold your rat during training. If he’s not getting a trick straight away give him time. It will pay off in the end. You don’t want to damage the trust you’ve built up.

Similar Pet Rat Info:

1. Rat Training Learn the basic of Training your Pet Rat. It will...
2. Home Made Rat Toys It is important to keep your pet rat entertained and...
3. Rat Toys It is great fun to play with your pet rat...
4. Rat Food Pet Rats really enjoy their food and by providing them...
5. Rat Babies Get the low down on rat pregnancy and baby rats....