What are some really good tricks to teach a pet rat?

Question

best answer to whoever gives the most tricks

Answer 1

the first thing you should teach your rat is it's name and make sure it comes back when you call it. It should never be allowed to free roam without knowing how to do this. For the saftey of your pet.

This is a GREAT site all about things you can build for your rat using things around your house!

http://www.dapper.com.au/toys.htm

I have used up to the cardboard box play house, using different sizes boxes and it was bigger than their cage! With lots of hiding places and different areas to go in. Turning the boxes on their sides, sticking one into the other using tape and boxes. They loved it til they shredded it to bits and I had to take it down. I've yet to replace it, it took up half my room! lol

It is hard to 'teach a rat tricks' but they are very intelligent and they will learn quickly. and they will benefit from daily handling making them much calmer and happier pets.

Check out the website!

Answer 2

i have had 2 pet rats in the last 3 years and they were awesome! it is hard to teach them tricks but here r some that i taught my rats!

+ spend as much time with them as u can and make them know there name!__(hard to do)

+ get them to know how close to u they need to b

+ teach them to b on a leash

Answer 3

First of all buy a clicker from your local pet store, so you can use it to complete various tricks!

Simple Tricks  

"Kiss"

This is such an easy trick, your rat has probably already taught this one to itself. If your rat is shy however, you can put a little drop of peanut butter on your cheek or hand to encourage your rat to l**k. As soon as he licks, say "Kiss" then click the clicker. That's all! Soon he'll give you a kiss whenever you offer your hand or say the word "Kiss."

"Beg"

Remember how hard it was to teach your dog to sit up on his hind legs? Well rats are MUCH easier. In fact, this is another "trick" that rats do all by themselves. Simply dab a drop of peanut butter on your finger, then hold it over the rat's head. Ta-da! The rat stands up on it's hind legs to get the treat. Immediately say "beg" then reward the rat with a click from the clicker and the drop of peanut butter.

"Over"

This is a trick you'll definately want to teach if you ever plan to do rat agility. To teach this one, place your rat on one side of the fence or object, say "over" then guide him over the obstacle with a treat. When he reaches the other side, click, then give him his treat.

"Lion Tamer"

This one is a lot of fun, and is a cute act for displays. Simply place a treat in your mouth, and allow the rat to take it out. Soon he'll be prying your mouth open with his little paws to peek inside.

"Shoulder Surf"

Some rats will automatically climb up on your shoulder to ride along from room to room, but others need a little encouragement. The best method for training a shoulder surfer is to place him on your shoulder and give him treats while he's there. Let him get used to sitting calmly on your shoulder before you start moving around though, or he might get nervous.

Watch your rats behavior, and you'll get ideas for more simple tricks that your rat already knows, but just needs you to encourage.

Advanced Tricks

"Hold"

Choose something small and lightweight, but not something so small that your rat might accidently swallow it. A small ring works well, or a little rubber ball. Hold ring in front of the rat, and encourage him to mouth it. Once he accepts it in his mouth, immediately click and give him a treat. It will take some patience before the rat will immediately take the object, but you'll be rewarded in the end.

"Come"

The trick here is to get the rat to come to it's name or the command "come". Again, your best tool is a yummy treat. Place your rat down on a table or chair, then call the rats name and give him a tiny drop of peanut butter. Repeat from gradually further distances until he comes across the table to get his treat.

Hope this helps! :)