Bowling
Ahh, bowling. A fun sport for humans, but what about rats?
As it turns out, bowling is a favorite among rat athletes! They take to bowling with a masterful skill, and it has been one of the cutest tricks I've worked on with my rats to date! Props: |
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Step 1:
Once you have your supplies, it is time to get started! Start by slathering a bit of liquid treat on your ball holder. Let your rat lick up the treat, then give them another lick from your fingers.
Once you have your supplies, it is time to get started! Start by slathering a bit of liquid treat on your ball holder. Let your rat lick up the treat, then give them another lick from your fingers.
Step 2:
Repeat this several times, then place the ball over the treat. Let your rat figure out how to push the ball off the treat, then let them eat it. If they use their paws instead of their nose, it is a good idea to practice holding the ball in place until they try nose pushing before releasing it (rats have more directional control with their nose and so this is the best way to ensure they push the ball forwards instead of pushing it off the track.)
Repeat this several times, then place the ball over the treat. Let your rat figure out how to push the ball off the treat, then let them eat it. If they use their paws instead of their nose, it is a good idea to practice holding the ball in place until they try nose pushing before releasing it (rats have more directional control with their nose and so this is the best way to ensure they push the ball forwards instead of pushing it off the track.)
Step 3:
After repeating this several time, simply place the ball onto the ball holder without any treat beneath it. When your rat rolls the ball off the holder, give them a treat from your hands. Once your rat has mastered this step, add in your bowling pins to complete this trick!
After repeating this several time, simply place the ball onto the ball holder without any treat beneath it. When your rat rolls the ball off the holder, give them a treat from your hands. Once your rat has mastered this step, add in your bowling pins to complete this trick!
Video Tutorial:
Disclosure: Esther (and her site rattrix.weebly.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com