Fetch - Method 2
This trick is a bit more complex then the previous tricks, and will thus require a bit more time to teach. To train fetch, we will use a method called back-chaining, which simply means that we teach the end result first, and work our way up to the first step. Note that there are 2 main methods for teaching this trick, so if this method doesn't work for you you can check out the other method here.
Props:
Pro tip: Ecotrition cheese chews make perfect items for the initial training of fetch! Rats love carrying them around, yet will often happily give up a cheese chew for a more valuable treat (think plain yogurt or meat baby food)! |
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Step 1:
Begin by teaching your rat to pick up the ball/your chosen item. Do this by initially smearing a bit of liquid food on it, then rewarding any interactions they have with the item with another treat . After a few tries, start rewarding them for interacting with the item without any food smeared on it. Gradually increase how much they must interact with the item before you reward them, until they are consistently picking it up.
Begin by teaching your rat to pick up the ball/your chosen item. Do this by initially smearing a bit of liquid food on it, then rewarding any interactions they have with the item with another treat . After a few tries, start rewarding them for interacting with the item without any food smeared on it. Gradually increase how much they must interact with the item before you reward them, until they are consistently picking it up.
Step 2:
Now place your item next to a roll of tape or shallow container. Lure your rat in front of the container, place the ball on one side, and when your rat goes to pick up the item reward them inside the container. At first reward them even when the item doesn't fall into the container, but once they start to get the idea begin to only reward when they place it into the container.
Now repeat this same thing with the other side of the container.
Now place your item next to a roll of tape or shallow container. Lure your rat in front of the container, place the ball on one side, and when your rat goes to pick up the item reward them inside the container. At first reward them even when the item doesn't fall into the container, but once they start to get the idea begin to only reward when they place it into the container.
Now repeat this same thing with the other side of the container.
Step 3:
At this point you want to start increasing the distance your rat must move with the item. Initially place it just an inch or two away, rewarding when your rat puts it into the container. Once your get to about 2-3 inches away your rat will now have to actually walk with the item in order to get it into the hoop, and since this is a big step you want to go back to rewarding them even if they miss. After a few tries they will start to get the idea and at that point you want to return to only rewarding when they successfully place the ball into the container.
At this point you want to start increasing the distance your rat must move with the item. Initially place it just an inch or two away, rewarding when your rat puts it into the container. Once your get to about 2-3 inches away your rat will now have to actually walk with the item in order to get it into the hoop, and since this is a big step you want to go back to rewarding them even if they miss. After a few tries they will start to get the idea and at that point you want to return to only rewarding when they successfully place the ball into the container.
Step 4:
Continue to increase the distance your rat must walk to place the ball into the container. At this point, you don't want to be rolling the ball yet, just placing it several inches away and pointing to it, then rewarding your rat for placing it into the container. Continue to extend the distance your rat must walk with the item until the rat can place the item into the container from a fair distance.
Continue to increase the distance your rat must walk to place the ball into the container. At this point, you don't want to be rolling the ball yet, just placing it several inches away and pointing to it, then rewarding your rat for placing it into the container. Continue to extend the distance your rat must walk with the item until the rat can place the item into the container from a fair distance.
Step 5:
Now begin to add some motion to the item by gently throwing it. While your rat is watching gently throw the item a few inches away, then reward your rat for placing it into your container. Since you are again adding in another variable (motion) to the mix, you will want to initially only toss the item a few inches away at most, but after a few tries you can gradually start to toss it further and further until you are happy with the distance they are retrieving it from.
Now begin to add some motion to the item by gently throwing it. While your rat is watching gently throw the item a few inches away, then reward your rat for placing it into your container. Since you are again adding in another variable (motion) to the mix, you will want to initially only toss the item a few inches away at most, but after a few tries you can gradually start to toss it further and further until you are happy with the distance they are retrieving it from.
Step 6:
Finally the last step is to remove the container and instead reward your rat when they drop it at your feet. As long as you've practiced the prior steps enough they should figure this out pretty quickly, and once they have this down they have officially mastered fetch!
Finally the last step is to remove the container and instead reward your rat when they drop it at your feet. As long as you've practiced the prior steps enough they should figure this out pretty quickly, and once they have this down they have officially mastered fetch!
Optional:
If you want your rat to fetch the item to your hand, simply start to place your hand over the container when they go to fetch the ball. After a few tries start to fade out the hoop by holding your hand higher and higher above it, and only rewarding the rat for placing it into your hand. At this point you can remove the container entirely and when you offer your hand they should readily place the ball into it.
If you want your rat to fetch the item to your hand, simply start to place your hand over the container when they go to fetch the ball. After a few tries start to fade out the hoop by holding your hand higher and higher above it, and only rewarding the rat for placing it into your hand. At this point you can remove the container entirely and when you offer your hand they should readily place the ball into it.
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