Close A Door
Props:
- Small movable door (I use my rat's cat crate/carrier)
Step 1:
Start by closing the door and lure your rat into putting their front paws on it. Reward them for staying in this "paws up" position.
Start by closing the door and lure your rat into putting their front paws on it. Reward them for staying in this "paws up" position.
Step 2:
Gradually fade out your hand until you can point at the closed door and your rat will place their front paws on it.
Gradually fade out your hand until you can point at the closed door and your rat will place their front paws on it.
Step 3:
Open the door just a crack, then point at it. If you have practiced the previous step enough, your rat should place their paws on the door, accidentally pushing it closed. Reward them once they have pushed the door closed.
Open the door just a crack, then point at it. If you have practiced the previous step enough, your rat should place their paws on the door, accidentally pushing it closed. Reward them once they have pushed the door closed.
Step 4:
Begin to gradually open the door more and more, each time making sure that your rat is closing it fully before progressing.
Begin to gradually open the door more and more, each time making sure that your rat is closing it fully before progressing.
Step 5:
Point at the open door and reward your rat for closing it on cue!
Point at the open door and reward your rat for closing it on cue!
Video Tutorial:
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