Word Commands with the clicker
After a while you can add word commands to your clicker training. For example if you have trained your rat to clap, and he has started to clap to get a click and a treat, say "clap Wombat" when he is doing it and then say "stop Wombat" when he stops give him a click and a treat. He will eventually associate the word "clap" with the action of clapping and with the click and the treat. You can choose to only reward your rat with a click and a treat when he claps on command, so as to avoid begging behaviour.
To teach your rat a new behaviour, for example pushing a ball along, you need to click and praise it at every step of the way. When he looks at the ball, click and treat, when he walks towards the ball, click and treat, when he touches the ball, click and treat, when he pushes the ball, click and treat. He will soon get the idea.
After a while you will not need to give a click and a treat every time. You may simply be able to praise. Remember keep it fun. This is playtime after all.
You can teach plenty of things with a clicker. The limit is your imagination. You can teach your rat to come to you, to sit on your shoulder as well as party tricks, such as rolling over or even dancing.
It is important to keep it short. Remember rats have a lot to do. There's exploring everything in sight for a start. Five minutes is plenty to start with. You may wish to do your first training sessions in a room where there are less distractions.
Not all rats are as trainable as others. If your rat isn't into school, enjoy playing other games instead like chasing with your hand, tickling, massaging and just watching them have lots of fun.
Keep your rats healthy. A healthy, happy ratty is the most trainable and keep them well fed too, or they'll be in no mood to do anything for you.
Oh by the way…don't scold your ratty during training. If he's not getting a trick straight away give him time. It will pay off in the end. You don't want to damage the trust you've built up.

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