Raise A Flag
Props:
- Mini Flag (you can find my tutorial for making a miniature flag prop here)
Step 1:
Place the flag in front of your rat, with the string facing towards them. Now lure your rat over to the string, and reward them for any interest that they show in the string (if necessary, rub a treat on it to peak their interest).
Place the flag in front of your rat, with the string facing towards them. Now lure your rat over to the string, and reward them for any interest that they show in the string (if necessary, rub a treat on it to peak their interest).
Step 2:
Gradually increase your expectations (this means withholding your reward until the rat tries interacting more with the string) until your rat is mouthing/biting the string.
Gradually increase your expectations (this means withholding your reward until the rat tries interacting more with the string) until your rat is mouthing/biting the string.
Step 3:
Next, hold a treat slightly above your rat, right next to the flag’s string. Your rats should now use their mouth or paws to pull on the string, instinctively attempting to get the food down. Lower the treat once they pull the string and then let them take it once it is close enough
Next, hold a treat slightly above your rat, right next to the flag’s string. Your rats should now use their mouth or paws to pull on the string, instinctively attempting to get the food down. Lower the treat once they pull the string and then let them take it once it is close enough
Step 4:
Gradually begin to hold the treat higher and higher above your rat, requiring the rat to pull harder and multiple times before you lower it enough so that they can reach it.
Gradually begin to hold the treat higher and higher above your rat, requiring the rat to pull harder and multiple times before you lower it enough so that they can reach it.
Step 5:
Once they can raise the whole flag for a treat without any trouble, begin to fade out the treat lure. To do this, begin to pinch your fingers together as if you have a treat, but don’t actually hold one. Lower your hand when your rat pulls the string, then at the bottom hand them a treat from your other hand.
Once they can raise the whole flag for a treat without any trouble, begin to fade out the treat lure. To do this, begin to pinch your fingers together as if you have a treat, but don’t actually hold one. Lower your hand when your rat pulls the string, then at the bottom hand them a treat from your other hand.
Step 6:
After several repetitions, you can now fade out your hand as well. You can do this by beginning to motion your rat towards the flag string instead of holding your hand right above them. You will initially want to reward after just a pull or two while your rat is learning this new cue, but once they understand you can begin to ask for the entire trick again.
After several repetitions, you can now fade out your hand as well. You can do this by beginning to motion your rat towards the flag string instead of holding your hand right above them. You will initially want to reward after just a pull or two while your rat is learning this new cue, but once they understand you can begin to ask for the entire trick again.
Step 7:
Continue to fade out your hand by making less and less obvious motions towards the flag string, until just pointing at the flag is enough to cue your rat to raise it.
Continue to fade out your hand by making less and less obvious motions towards the flag string, until just pointing at the flag is enough to cue your rat to raise 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