Pivot
Props:
- Small glass/ceramic cup (I use an 8 ounce glass that has been flipped over)
Step 1:
Start by luring your rat into placing their front paws onto your item. Now reward them in position. Continue to do so until they begin to hold the "paws up" position by themselves.
Start by luring your rat into placing their front paws onto your item. Now reward them in position. Continue to do so until they begin to hold the "paws up" position by themselves.
Step 2:
Use a treat lure to guide your rat into taking one step to the side. Make sure your rat still has both paws on your item, and be sure to reward them in this position after they have taken the step.
Use a treat lure to guide your rat into taking one step to the side. Make sure your rat still has both paws on your item, and be sure to reward them in this position after they have taken the step.
Step 3:
Begin to require them to take multiple steps before rewarding.
Begin to require them to take multiple steps before rewarding.
Step 4:
Begin to fade out the lure until your rat starts to take steps around the item on their own. To do this, begin to motion the rat more and more instead of just luring them.
Begin to fade out the lure until your rat starts to take steps around the item on their own. To do this, begin to motion the rat more and more instead of just luring them.
Step 5:
Completely fade out the lure. Reward your rat for each step they take (without a lure) around the item.
Completely fade out the lure. Reward your rat for each step they take (without a lure) around the item.
Step 6:
Gradually increase the amount of steps you require your rat to take before rewarding them.
Gradually increase the amount of steps you require your rat to take before rewarding them.
Step 7:
Finally, require your rat to pivot completely around the item before clicking and rewarding them. You can now teach them to pivot in the opposite direction as well, or to do multiple pivots in a row.
Finally, require your rat to pivot completely around the item before clicking and rewarding them. You can now teach them to pivot in the opposite direction as well, or to do multiple pivots in a row.
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