Paws Up
Props:
- Small flat pedestal (here I am using a clean laundry detergent lid)
Step 1:
Start by luring your rat to the pedestal, slowly leading them forward until their front paws touch the pedestal's edge. Once their paws are on the pedestal, reward them with your treat (I recommend using liquid food so they don't even have to lift their paws off the pedestal to eat it)
Start by luring your rat to the pedestal, slowly leading them forward until their front paws touch the pedestal's edge. Once their paws are on the pedestal, reward them with your treat (I recommend using liquid food so they don't even have to lift their paws off the pedestal to eat it)
Step 2:
Once your rat understands that they must place both paws onto the pedestal, begin to fade out the lure. You can do this by beginning to motion them towards the pedestal, instead of luring them directly to it. Once they are placing both paws onto the pedestal without any luring, begin to reward them for doing so in rapid succession.
Once your rat understands that they must place both paws onto the pedestal, begin to fade out the lure. You can do this by beginning to motion them towards the pedestal, instead of luring them directly to it. Once they are placing both paws onto the pedestal without any luring, begin to reward them for doing so in rapid succession.
Step 3:
Now start to variate where you place the pedestal in relation to your rat. Continue to only reward when they place both paws onto the pedestal.
Now start to variate where you place the pedestal in relation to your rat. Continue to only reward when they place both paws onto the pedestal.
Step 4:
Finally, increase the distance of the pedestal from your rat. At this point, you should be able to simply point at the pedestal, cueing your rat to walk over and place their paws on it. You can now also begin to add height to the pedestal if you so wish.
Finally, increase the distance of the pedestal from your rat. At this point, you should be able to simply point at the pedestal, cueing your rat to walk over and place their paws on it. You can now also begin to add height to the pedestal if you so wish.
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