Rat Training by Miriam Fields-Babineau

Author:Miriam Fields-Babineau
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: i5 Publishing
Published: 2009-03-06T08:00:00+00:00

Equipment you will need for leash training include a target stick and a hoop, which are used to teach your rat to accept a harness.

Acclimating Ben and Ira to a harness may be difficult, as rats don’t like being confined against their will. However, they do like small, tight spaces and will acclimate, provided they are introduced to the harness properly without being frightened. That means breaking down the process into small, nonthreatening steps.

Draw the stick back as your rat approaches so that he goes all the way through the hoop.

Harness Training

We’ll begin by teaching your rat to go through a hoop. Then we’ll gradually decrease the diameter of the hoop until it’s barely wider than the diameter of the rat’s abdomen. The next step is setting up two to three of these hoops and teaching your rat to move through them on command. Once your rat is consistently successful and comfortable performing this behavior, we’ll introduce the harness to the routine, teaching the rat to move through a hoop and then through the harness. Finally, we’ll work on training your rat to go into his harness on command and remain still while you make the harness snug.

Move Through a Hoop

Begin with a hoop made of metal or plastic. The hoop’s diameter should be wide enough that your rat can easily pass through without touching the sides or top. First, allow Ben and Ira to get used to the feel and scent of the hoop. Put a few food morsels down so that the rats will want to approach and investigate. Click the moment they are moving over the side of the hoop and reward.

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