Push Over + Go Through Tunnel
|
Step 1:
Start by placing the tunnel upright in front of your rat. Reward them for any interest that they show in the tunnel. If they seem uninterested, rub a treat on the tunnel's side to get their attention.
Start by placing the tunnel upright in front of your rat. Reward them for any interest that they show in the tunnel. If they seem uninterested, rub a treat on the tunnel's side to get their attention.
Step 2:
Gradually increase the amount of interaction your rat must have with the tunnel before you click and reward them. Continue to slowly raise your criteria until your rat is knocking over the tunnel consistently.
Gradually increase the amount of interaction your rat must have with the tunnel before you click and reward them. Continue to slowly raise your criteria until your rat is knocking over the tunnel consistently.
Step 3:
Now place the tunnel on its side and lure your rat through it. Reward them once they exit the tunnel.
Now place the tunnel on its side and lure your rat through it. Reward them once they exit the tunnel.
Step 4:
You can now start to gradually fade out the lure until your rat will go through the tunnel when you point at it. You can do this by motioning more and luring less, so that your rat learns to rely less on the lure and to instead perform the action by themselves..
You can now start to gradually fade out the lure until your rat will go through the tunnel when you point at it. You can do this by motioning more and luring less, so that your rat learns to rely less on the lure and to instead perform the action by themselves..
Step 5:
Now set your tunnel upright. Point at the tunnel, then reward your rat for knocking it over. Next, point at the tunnel's entrance, then reward your rat for going through it.
Now set your tunnel upright. Point at the tunnel, then reward your rat for knocking it over. Next, point at the tunnel's entrance, then reward your rat for going through it.
Step 6:
Set your tunnel back upright. Point at the tunnel, then reward your rat for knocking it over. Next, wait for your rat to go through the tunnel without any cue from you. Reward them as soon as they do so.
Set your tunnel back upright. Point at the tunnel, then reward your rat for knocking it over. Next, wait for your rat to go through the tunnel without any cue from you. Reward them as soon as they do so.
Step 7:
Finally, set the tunnel upright, point at it, and reward your rat for pushing over the tunnel and going through it!
Finally, set the tunnel upright, point at it, and reward your rat for pushing over the tunnel and going through 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