"Leave It"
Props:
- Floor target (I use a lid)
- Lower value food (try a lab block to start, or a dry treat)
- High value treat (try a liquid treat like plain yogurt)
Step 1:
Start by placing a bland treat onto the target, and covering it with one hand. Lead your rat to the target with a higher value treat in your other hand. Make sure that they see/smell the lesser value treat being covered, and as soon as they stop trying to grab it, reward them with the higher value treat in your other hand.
Start by placing a bland treat onto the target, and covering it with one hand. Lead your rat to the target with a higher value treat in your other hand. Make sure that they see/smell the lesser value treat being covered, and as soon as they stop trying to grab it, reward them with the higher value treat in your other hand.
Step 2:
Remove your hand, and begin to only reward after your rat has clearly sniffed the lower value treat. At this point, they should begin to sniff/touch the treat, leave it, and then look to you for the higher value reward.
Remove your hand, and begin to only reward after your rat has clearly sniffed the lower value treat. At this point, they should begin to sniff/touch the treat, leave it, and then look to you for the higher value reward.
Step 3:
Now its time to start moving the target further and further away from your rat. After they sniff and leave the lower value treat, use your higher value treat to lure them back to you. When they reach you, hand them the higher value treat.
Now its time to start moving the target further and further away from your rat. After they sniff and leave the lower value treat, use your higher value treat to lure them back to you. When they reach you, hand them the higher value treat.
Step 4:
Continue to reward your rat for leaving the lower value treat on the target alone. Keep doing so until they return to you for a reward without prompting after sniffing the lower value treat.
Continue to reward your rat for leaving the lower value treat on the target alone. Keep doing so until they return to you for a reward without prompting after sniffing the lower value treat.
Step 5:
Gradually begin to add more treats to the target, increasing the difficulty. Continue to reward them for acknowledging but not consuming the lower value treats.
Gradually begin to add more treats to the target, increasing the difficulty. Continue to reward them for acknowledging but not consuming the lower value treats.
Step 6:
Once your rat understands what is expected of them, you can begin to reward them with the same treat you are asking them to leave alone, or even with a lower value treat!
Once your rat understands what is expected of them, you can begin to reward them with the same treat you are asking them to leave alone, or even with a lower value treat!
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