Walk On A Barrel
Props:
- Mini barrel (you can see how I made mine on the prop page here)
Step 1:
Start by using a treat to lure your rat onto the barrel, then reward them. Make sure to hold the barrel still at this point, so as to not scare your rat.
Start by using a treat to lure your rat onto the barrel, then reward them. Make sure to hold the barrel still at this point, so as to not scare your rat.
Step 2:
After you repeat this several times, gradually begin to let the barrel roll forward as the rat is standing on it. The first few times you let the barrel roll, you will want to stop the barrel and reward your rat after just a step or 2. If they ever jump off the barrel, simply lure them back on before rewarding and continuing training.
After you repeat this several times, gradually begin to let the barrel roll forward as the rat is standing on it. The first few times you let the barrel roll, you will want to stop the barrel and reward your rat after just a step or 2. If they ever jump off the barrel, simply lure them back on before rewarding and continuing training.
Step 3:
As your rat adjusts to backing up on the barrel, begin to let the barrel roll for longer periods of time, so that the rat must take more steps backwards before being rewarded.
As your rat adjusts to backing up on the barrel, begin to let the barrel roll for longer periods of time, so that the rat must take more steps backwards before being rewarded.
Step 4:
Finally, stop holding the barrel all together and let the rat jump onto on their own. At this point they should be able to walk on the barrel for several feet, upon which they have mastered this trick!
Finally, stop holding the barrel all together and let the rat jump onto on their own. At this point they should be able to walk on the barrel for several feet, upon which they have mastered this trick!
Optional:
You can now combine this trick with other tricks such as basketball to create a unique trick that looks super impressive! (You can see a video of Bean learning the pictured basketball/barrel trick here.)
You can now combine this trick with other tricks such as basketball to create a unique trick that looks super impressive! (You can see a video of Bean learning the pictured basketball/barrel trick here.)
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