Orbit (aka "Go Around")
Props:
- A circular object (I use a clean laundry lid)
Step 1:
Place your object on the ground, about an inch or two away from your rat. Use a treat to lure your rat around the object, rewarding them once they have completed the orbit.
Place your object on the ground, about an inch or two away from your rat. Use a treat to lure your rat around the object, rewarding them once they have completed the orbit.
Step 2:
Begin to fade out your lure. Do this by only leading the rat about half way around the object, then motioning them forward. Reward them once they have finished the orbit on their own.
Begin to fade out your lure. Do this by only leading the rat about half way around the object, then motioning them forward. Reward them once they have finished the orbit on their own.
Step 3:
Finish fading out your lure. By this point you should be able to point at the object, and your rat should orbit around it.
Finish fading out your lure. By this point you should be able to point at the object, and your rat should orbit around it.
Step 4:
Finally, you want to vary where you place the orbit object, and begin to add distance. Once your rat can orbit the object from various places and various distances, they have mastered this trick!
Finally, you want to vary where you place the orbit object, and begin to add distance. Once your rat can orbit the object from various places and various distances, they have mastered this trick!