What kind of tricks can you teach pet rats?

Question

I just adopted two little 3-and-a-half week old baby rats. (litter mates) and I was wondering what kind of tricks I could teach them early, because I have had rats before,(much older than these babies) and they would not do many tricks. Please only respond if you have had experience with rats. Thank You.
-Annie Christine

Answer 1

Hi Annie :)

Teaching your rats tricks:
http://ca.search.yahoo.com/search?ei=UTF-8&fr=ks-ans&fr2=sfp&p=teaching+your+rat+tricks&meta=vc%3D

The easiest tricks I've taught some of my rats is chasing a piece of string like a cat would, sitting up/standing up, sort of like a dog, walking a tightrope by stringing a braided rope between two table legs, climbing a ladder comes naturally to rats, and coming when called was a blast to teach when I had fewer rats then I do now.

The best treat that I found for helping them learn the tricks is rice krispies. They munch through them fast and beg for more.

You're right about starting them young because teaching the tricks seems to help with bonding with you and socializing as well.

spazrats
http://spazrats.tripod.com
Specializing in the health and care of pet rats since 1997

Answer 2

The only trick I've successfully taught a rat was to "fetch" by rolling a ball back to me when I rolled it away. It took a lot of time though, and she never did it 100% of the time. Maybe 7 times out of 10.

I trained her by giving her treats when she did what I wanted her to do. First for just sniffing the ball I rolled away, then only if she put her paws on it. Then only if she pushed it. Then only if she pushed to to me so on so forth.

She was the only rat I TRIED to train though. They can be taught many things. The simplest is to come to you when you call their name.

They can be taught mazes and obstical courses fairly easily, by putting a treat at the end.

When teaching an obstical course its best to teach them one obstical at a time before putting them together. They can jump hurdles, clibe ropes, climb ladders, leap small gaps, walk tightropes.

Again, the best way to get them to preform any trick is to give them a treat. Find something the ESPICALLY love and use it ONLY for training sessions.

I suggest Yogies brand yogurt treats. I've never had a rat that didn't like them.

Also, make sure you give them only tiny nibbles as rewards. They have small tummies and will loose interest in the rewards if they eat too much.

Answer 3

Rats can be taught to do a lot of tricks. I have had the most success with teaching my rats to come to their name, but have been able to teach some of my rats to do some other things. Some other tricks are climbing ropes, jumping over obstacles, stand up on their hind leg, and stay.

Answer 4

first- THATS SOOOO CUTE!!! i luv pet rats!!!

second- the only main trick is to run on a wheel. i suggest a full plastic one, so that they dont fall through it.

Answer 5

u can teach them to come, jump, push. you should buy a maze to see how intelligent your mouse is or to train him to be intelligent.