Spin Painting
Props:
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Pre-Requisite:
Before training this trick, make sure that your rat knows how to
spin on a hand cue. If you would d like help training this, you can find my tutorial
on how to train a rat to spin right here:
Before training this trick, make sure that your rat knows how to
spin on a hand cue. If you would d like help training this, you can find my tutorial
on how to train a rat to spin right here:
Step 1:
Prepare your area. I suggest either painting in a bathtub or covering the area in paper or cardboard because painting with rats tends to be messy! You can construct a "painting studio" like I did if you plan to paint with your rats on a regular basis - do this by taping 3 sides together, then keeping the 4th side off. Alternatively if you want to store the studio you can use velcro to attach the sides instead of tape (this is what I do and my whole rat "studio" folds flat!)
Prepare your area. I suggest either painting in a bathtub or covering the area in paper or cardboard because painting with rats tends to be messy! You can construct a "painting studio" like I did if you plan to paint with your rats on a regular basis - do this by taping 3 sides together, then keeping the 4th side off. Alternatively if you want to store the studio you can use velcro to attach the sides instead of tape (this is what I do and my whole rat "studio" folds flat!)
Step 2:
Choose your paint colors. I suggest using 2 colors to start, and if you want more having your rat paint more after the initial paint layer has dried. Now place a few small blobs of your selected paints onto your canvas, then get out a good treat (I recommend using a liquid treat like plain yogurt as the rats won't have to lift their paws up to eat it)
Choose your paint colors. I suggest using 2 colors to start, and if you want more having your rat paint more after the initial paint layer has dried. Now place a few small blobs of your selected paints onto your canvas, then get out a good treat (I recommend using a liquid treat like plain yogurt as the rats won't have to lift their paws up to eat it)
Step 3:
Get out your rat, and use your treat to lure them over the paint. If they seem hesitant, spend some time just luring them around the paint at first (while rewarding them), before working up to actually luring them through the paint.
Get out your rat, and use your treat to lure them over the paint. If they seem hesitant, spend some time just luring them around the paint at first (while rewarding them), before working up to actually luring them through the paint.
Step 4:
Continue to cue your rat to spin on the canvas. Once your rat gets the idea, you can start asking for 2-3 spins before rewarding instead of rewarding after each spin. Once the canvas is covered in paint, remove your rat and wipe off their paws with a moist paper towel.
Continue to cue your rat to spin on the canvas. Once your rat gets the idea, you can start asking for 2-3 spins before rewarding instead of rewarding after each spin. Once the canvas is covered in paint, remove your rat and wipe off their paws with a moist paper towel.
Step 5:
Allow your painting a few hours tom dry. once dry, you can either coat it with a protective spray (like this one), or simply place it in an area without much moisture. Finally, congratulate your rat for a job well done with some yummy extra treats!
Allow your painting a few hours tom dry. once dry, you can either coat it with a protective spray (like this one), or simply place it in an area without much moisture. Finally, congratulate your rat for a job well done with some yummy extra treats!
Several Painting Examples Shown in Video Format (Spin Painting is the 1st one):
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