Pet Rat Training: Rodents Learn The Tricks
For centuries now, rats remained as feared and hated species thought to cause plagues and nibble unto stored foods. In the medieval era, even up to the present, people employ special rat catchers just to get cleared off these rodents. However, in this modern society, rodents, rats and other similar species are already domesticated and tamed, and in fact, kept as pets. The very famous rat species taken as pet are the Rattus norvegicus.
As soon as you develop a good rapport with your pet rat, why not go further and be involved in an amusing pet rat training sessions. After a completed course, you will find yourself enjoying even better with your pet.
In pet rat training, even after the quality hours with your little friend, it still needs a little more amount of affection and a stimulating environment. You are not around all the time though. As you move further along with the process, do not impose too much demand more than the rat can cope up with. Take your time and give your rat some break!
Pet rat training is supposed to be fun, not miserable. And besides, if the fun stops, do not expect your rat to be as obedient as it was when you first started training it. Remember, rats are attention and fun seekers. Once the excitement is gone, so is your pet rat's interest. After all, he has more things to ponder on, such as food.
You can teach your pet rats any of these: litter training, learning its name, jumping, or clapping. In litter training, you can use the bottom of a shoebox or tissue box. And then put on some bedding on the surface and add something that attracts your rat's attention. Scoop up your pet rat and put it unto your newly made litter tray. Also, put in some poops into the box for your pet to smell. Once they smell it there, it is more likely that it will keep coming into the litter tray. The technique here is for your pet to get the idea that the litter tray is where it is supposed to defecate. If you find any poop outside the tray, move it into the litter tray and in time, your pet will get the message. This is not an amusing trick to learn, but it is something more important as you teach your pet to maintain cleanliness. Expect some time before your desire outcome will be attained. With perseverance, your pet rat will learn. Rats like to be cleaned too, you know.
Another pet rat training is teaching it its name. However, do not expect something definite as letting it pronounce its name literally. Your pet is a rat, not some parrot. You can start this type of training by saying your pet rat's name. While doing so, pick up your pet or cuddle it or offer some treat. Do something noticeable every time you mention its name so it will have something to refer to. After repetitiveness, you may drum your fingers on the table while calling your pet. By this time, if it comes to you, offer some treat. Reward it every time it cooperates with you. In the end, you can call it by its name.
Jumping can also be learned in pet rat training. Putting your pet on your lap does this. Do not forget to put a space between your two legs. On one side, hold a luscious treat, and put your rat on the other. With the knack for food, your pet will desire the food you are holding on the other side. And for this, it will learn to jump onto your other lap. As it jumps, you can use some phrase with its name on it such as "Jump Stuart" and after successive practice, every time you say the phrase, your rat will jump.
Not all rats are easy to train. Pet rat training can really be tiring, but fun if you enjoy what you do. If your rat depends on you for learning, then involve other activities in your pet rat training sessions like massaging, tickling, chasing with your hands and other convivial games.
Most importantly, keep your pet rat healthy and strong. Any pet rat training program is definitely useless if in the end, your rat will not be around to finish its course. Besides, a healthy rat is more trainable. Additionally, do not scold your pet, as rats are sensitive. You do not want to injure the trust you built, do you?
