Jump to Hand
Jump to hand is a great trick for rats of any age! Its perfect for building a rats confidence, and is a great way to play into one of their strength, that being their extreme agileness and love of jumping!
Props:
Props:
- Treats
- Clicker (optional)
Step 1:
Start by placing one hand on the ground in front of your rat. Now use your other hand to lure your rat onto it, using a liquid treat or several small solid treats. If your rat is not comfortable climbing fully onto your hand at first, start by rewarding for one paw on your hand, then 2 paws, then 3 paws, and finally only reward after they have placed all 4 paws onto your hand.
Start by placing one hand on the ground in front of your rat. Now use your other hand to lure your rat onto it, using a liquid treat or several small solid treats. If your rat is not comfortable climbing fully onto your hand at first, start by rewarding for one paw on your hand, then 2 paws, then 3 paws, and finally only reward after they have placed all 4 paws onto your hand.
Step 2:
Repeat this a few times, each time rewarding your rat once they have fully climbed onto your hand.
Repeat this a few times, each time rewarding your rat once they have fully climbed onto your hand.
Step 3:
Once your rat is readily hopping onto your hand, you then want to raise your hand a small amount. Like before you now want to lure your rat onto your hand, and once all 4 paws are on it, reward them with a small treat.
Once your rat is readily hopping onto your hand, you then want to raise your hand a small amount. Like before you now want to lure your rat onto your hand, and once all 4 paws are on it, reward them with a small treat.
Step 4:
Repeat this a few times, then gradually raise your hand again.
Repeat this a few times, then gradually raise your hand again.
Step 5:
Continue to gradually raise your hand, each time luring your rat onto it before rewarding them. Do this until you are happy with the height your hand is at (keeping in mind your rats own physical ability and comfort with jumping).
Continue to gradually raise your hand, each time luring your rat onto it before rewarding them. Do this until you are happy with the height your hand is at (keeping in mind your rats own physical ability and comfort with jumping).
Step 6:
Start to fade out the lure. You can do this by first pinching your fingers together as though you still have a treat, and then motioning your rat towards your hand. Once they jump up, go ahead and give them a treat.
Start to fade out the lure. You can do this by first pinching your fingers together as though you still have a treat, and then motioning your rat towards your hand. Once they jump up, go ahead and give them a treat.
Step 7:
Gradually begin to make your hand motions less and less prominent, until you can simply point at your hand and your rats will jump up. Tapping your hand with one finger can be a great bridge step when fading the lure.
If you'd like you can now completely fade your second hand, so that just presenting your raised hand cues your rat to jump up.
Gradually begin to make your hand motions less and less prominent, until you can simply point at your hand and your rats will jump up. Tapping your hand with one finger can be a great bridge step when fading the lure.
If you'd like you can now completely fade your second hand, so that just presenting your raised hand cues your rat to jump up.
Tips:
Older rats may have difficulty jumping, and if your older rat shows hesitance when jumping up then its a good idea to simply have them walk onto your hand at an inch or two off the ground.
Older rats may have difficulty jumping, and if your older rat shows hesitance when jumping up then its a good idea to simply have them walk onto your hand at an inch or two off the ground.
Video Tutorial:
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