Rebound
Props:
- Cardboard piece
- Support piece (I use a sturdy cardboard box)
- 2 Small floor targets (I use lids)
Step 1:
Place your cardboard piece on the floor, and lure your rat over it in a "U" pattern. Click as your rat exits the board, and reward them on your target.
Place your cardboard piece on the floor, and lure your rat over it in a "U" pattern. Click as your rat exits the board, and reward them on your target.
Step 2:
Now slightly raise the cardboard piece. Place one finger in the middle of the board, then lure your rat in a "U" shape around it with your other hand.
Now slightly raise the cardboard piece. Place one finger in the middle of the board, then lure your rat in a "U" shape around it with your other hand.
Step 3:
Slowly increase the cardboard's incline until it is nearly standing upright. Continue to place your finger on the center of the board, and continue to reward your rat for rebounding off the cardboard by placing their treat on the floor target after each repetition.
Slowly increase the cardboard's incline until it is nearly standing upright. Continue to place your finger on the center of the board, and continue to reward your rat for rebounding off the cardboard by placing their treat on the floor target after each repetition.
Step 4:
Gradually begin to fade out your finger, until you can just flick your hand at the cardboard and your rat will rebound off of it.
Practice, practice, practice until your rat is vaulting off the cardboard consistently!
Gradually begin to fade out your finger, until you can just flick your hand at the cardboard and your rat will rebound off of it.
Practice, practice, practice until your rat is vaulting off the cardboard consistently!
Step 5:
Now change out your cardboard piece for a wall or a sturdy box. Finally, you want to fade out the lure until you can just point at the wall/box and your rat will rebound off of it. You can do this by motioning towards the wall more and more, and directly luring them less and less, until just pointing at the wall becomes their cue to rebound off of it!
Now change out your cardboard piece for a wall or a sturdy box. Finally, you want to fade out the lure until you can just point at the wall/box and your rat will rebound off of it. You can do this by motioning towards the wall more and more, and directly luring them less and less, until just pointing at the wall becomes their cue to rebound off of 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