The secret to their success is their high IQ. Unlike more passive pets such as rabbits, pet rats are highly sociable and love interacting with people. Their intelligence also makes them highly trainable as they love the mental challenge of problem solving. So if you already have pet rats that you want to train, or are considering get a new fur-family member, here are five reasons why training pet rats is ridiculously rewarding.
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#1: Boredom Busting:
Pet rats are nature's problem solvers and hate being bored. They love nothing better than pitting their wits against a puzzle and working their way round it. Conversely, a bored rat is likely to develop behavioral problems such as overeating that leads to obesity, fighting with housemates, pulling out their fur, or chewing their home.
For intelligent creatures such as pet rats, it isn't fair not to challenge their minds. Not to do so is the human equivalent of sitting in a room staring at the walls all day long - and something to be avoided.
#2: Strengthens Bonds:
Twice daily training sessions and the pet rats use their brain power for good, and they'll look forward to this one-on-one time with their handler. Most social creatures thrive on attention, and this is exactly what you give during training time.
On the human side of the equation, there's a huge buzz about having a small creature attentive to your commands and responding to you. When a rat does a trick on command it almost like you can talk to animals, which is hugely rewarding in its own rite. Then there's the satisfaction of knowing your pet rats respond because they want to please you.
#3: Exercise Mind and Body:
Rather than sitting in a cage all day, training pet rats to roll a ball, complete an agility course, or walk along a rope is a great way of exercising both mind and body.
#4: Teach Tricks:
Want to impress your friends with what an epic animal trainer you are? Win the admiration of friends and family by teaching your pet rats to:
- Stand on his back legs: Hold a tasty treat above the rat's head so that he stretches up to get it. Just before releasing the treat, say, "Stand", and let then him have the reward.
- Jump: Teach him to jump over a low obstacle on command. To do this place a low object (such as a pencil or glasses case) on the floor between the rat and the treat. Encourage him to jump over the obstacle to get to the reward, and say "Jump" as he lands and give him the reward.
- Clicker train: The sky's the limit when you clicker train your pet rats. The theory is exactly the same as for dogs. You teach the rat to associate the click-clack of a clicker with a tasty treat. Then you use to clicker to mark behaviors that you wish the rat to do - such as holding out a paw. By clicking the exact movement the rat understands which action is being rewarded, and will be keen to repeat it to earn that snack.
#5: Builds Confidence
Training pet rats is a win-win situation because it increases their confidence in you, whilst your confidence in your ability to work with animals goes through the roof. Imagine the satisfaction of seeing a small creature come to their name or fetch you a toy. For all creatures, small as a rat or large as a dog, training builds the confidence of everyone involved (including the handler!)
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