Below we're going to give you a few different techniques that we've used with success to gain our rats trust. Why train your rats? Shaping can also be defined as the procedure that involves reinforcing behaviors that are closer to the target behavior, also known as successive approximations. Start studying PSYC 100 - Chapter 6. In … Like rabbits, gerbils and hamsters, chinchillas are rodents with soft fur and a tail of medium length. By filling the tub or sink, dipping them in the water and taking care that the rat doesn't scratch your arm open trying to cling on for dear life! It is best to first get to know your pet so that it will be secure through trust training. While some do like to be held and cuddled, others prefer not to be held, though they are still friendly. Clicker training is a great way to help a shy rat develop positive associations with your interactions. Rats don’t bite, I used to say. You can lose its trust and rats will sometimes bite when scared. How to Bathe a Rat, THE NICE, NO FUSS WAY: Everywhere I look, I see traumatizing instructions on how to bathe a rat. Then, keep training sessions to no more than 15 minutes at a time so your rat stays engaged and focused. Instead they want to run around and play and explore. Advertisement. A rat may pee/poo on you when being held at first. hardley ever. By Dr. Laurie Hess DVM, DABVP ... but they are actually very intelligent and easy to train. Newly acquired or frightened rats will probably not be receptive to training at first – especially if your training arena will be a play or free-range area which they would much rather explore. Pest Control Professionals: This three-day advanced course for pest control professionals focuses on the biology and behaviors of rats. 5 Facts That Will Change the Way You Think About Rats. Your rats will need to be well socialized and used to interacting with you. Do not involve your rat in activities that will scare him. How To Trust Train Your Rats:. See if your rat wants to play a game with you instead of being held. None of my ratties ever have, but I have witnessed pet rats that did bite. Use your other hand to support the cat’s bottom and back legs, and pick up the cat so your non-dominant hand becomes a support for it to sit on. Rats are intelligent animals that enjoy interacting with their owners. To be bitten by a rat is not fun: their razor… Rabbits, gerbils and hamsters may be more common choices, but chinchillas make great pets, too. If you have a rat who doesn’t like to be held, remember that baby rats and females tend to be very active and often don’t want to hold still to be held. In general I’d be very consequent about this: Once the bite inhibition has broken, the pet becomes unpredictable and thus a potential danger. To hold a cat, crouch down to its level and put your dominant hand under its ribcage. Their intelligence is why rats are so often used in psychological studies to help understand human behavior. Next, establish some basic training techniques, such as using treats, verbal praise, and toys as rewards. "And the kind we work with are all very sweet, they like to be held and be handled, they like to interact with people, and they really like to work hard. How to Hold a Chinchilla. Rats like to have 'walls' around them and feel like they're huddled inside something, they do not generally like to be exposed as, in the wild, this would leave them vulnerable to predators. To train your rat to do tricks, start by finding a quiet, safe space to avoid any distractions. Then, make the cat feel more secure by hugging it to your chest. Temperament tests can measure a puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness. ... Do pet rats poop/pee on you when you hold them? 5 Facts That Will Change the Way You Think About Rats. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Additionally, start with a simple trick, like teaching it to come when you call its name. Be sure that other pets that may harm your rat are securely put away before out of the cage playing or training. These characteristics have been employed, for example, by the Belgian non-governmental organization APOPO, which trains rats (specifically African giant pouched rats) to detect landmines and diagnose tuberculosis through smell. In the wild, rats are problem solvers - they learn quickly and this is one of the features that has made them so successful. They dont go alot and deffianatly not as much as mice. Think of puppy temperament testing as a canine crystal ball used to identify your puppy’s personality in order to predict—and so manage—potential problems. This very much links with training your rat, but it is something that is well worth trying with your rats. Gambian rats will sometimes gently but firmly grasp you with their mouths—not a bite, just a hold—and try to push you away if they object to something. Trust Training. ... And you can litter train them. Clicker train your rat, if it is very nervous. Training your rat by Katie Dorr . The process of establishing a behavior that is not learned or performed by an individual at present is referred to as Shaping. A rat needs to feel secure when it is picked up, so hold him close to your chest so he feels a bit enclosed. Rats have a keen sense of smell and are easy to train. Make sure that your rat is comfortable and unafraid.