Spin
Spin is a great first trick to train any rat! Not only is it a fairly easy trick to train, but its a great confidence builder trick that can really help introduce your rat to the idea of trick training.
Step 1:
To start, use a treat to lure your rat in a circle, going the same direction each time. If they won't follow your treat in a complete circle, you can either try using a liquid treat and allow them to lick it as they walk, or you can reward every few steps and build up to a full circle from there.
To start, use a treat to lure your rat in a circle, going the same direction each time. If they won't follow your treat in a complete circle, you can either try using a liquid treat and allow them to lick it as they walk, or you can reward every few steps and build up to a full circle from there.
Step 2:
After your rat readily completes the circle while following a lure, start to lead them in 2-3 faster circles before giving them a treat.
After your rat readily completes the circle while following a lure, start to lead them in 2-3 faster circles before giving them a treat.
Step 3:
Now comes the hardest part. This time, instead of luring you want to make several fast circles over your rat's head. The rat should then spin on their own (do not lead your rat in a circle, simply keep making circles over the rats head, making them lower to the ground if need be). If your rat seems confused, practice the previous step a few more times, then try again.
Now comes the hardest part. This time, instead of luring you want to make several fast circles over your rat's head. The rat should then spin on their own (do not lead your rat in a circle, simply keep making circles over the rats head, making them lower to the ground if need be). If your rat seems confused, practice the previous step a few more times, then try again.
Step 4:
After your rat masters this step, make one circle over your rat's head. They should spin, at which point you should reward them.
After your rat masters this step, make one circle over your rat's head. They should spin, at which point you should reward them.
Step 5:
Once your rat masters spinning when you circle with a hand above their head, you can now point at the rats head to cue the trick instead. This should prompt your rat to spin, as they have become used to a hand being lifted and flicked over their head being the cue to spin.
Once your rat masters spinning when you circle with a hand above their head, you can now point at the rats head to cue the trick instead. This should prompt your rat to spin, as they have become used to a hand being lifted and flicked over their head being the cue to spin.
Optional:
You can now train your rat to spin in the other direction if you want, then test their skills by cuing them to spin both ways!
You can now train your rat to spin in the other direction if you want, then test their skills by cuing them to spin both ways!
Video Tutorial:
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