Epic Rat Tricks

"Awesome, Amazing Rat Tricks" Part 2!

Four of my five talented rats return performing their latest incredible tricks: Famous (Pink-Eyed Himalayan Top-Eared), Suki (Brown Agouti Berkshire Dumbo), Shadow (Black Mismarked Irish Top-Eared), and Raven (Black VariBerk Dumbo). All behaviours are taught with positive reinforcement and clicker training.

As you may notice, most of the tricks in this video are performed by Famous since the majority of the behaviours stem from retrieving, which is Famous' forte. She is the most advanced retriever in my mischief, although Suki is following closely in her pawprints.

I hope you all enjoy!
- NanaBorderCollie :)

Music is by Kevin MacLeod and Josh Woodward.

For those wondering where Paris is this time around, please read my update on her in the following blog post:

I LOVE my ratties! :)

[aynakoneil]

Inmagine being sick and one of your rats brought you a tissue, SO CUTE!

[DieAlteistwiederda]

I love rats so much, I had a few myself and I still miss them even after over 8 years without them. They are so intelligent, clean and just nice. Never had a "mean" rat and all of mine actually wanted to learn some tricks.

[NanaBorderCollie]

I have noticed that the authours of several websites which feature my rats' videos have written that my rats are performing their tricks for peanuts.  Not only is this incorrect, but I do not recommend using peanuts as rewards since they are unhealthy for rats when fed in large quantities, being very high in fat and protein.  Too much protein in a rat's diet causes kidney damage and skin problems amongst an array of other health issues.  When using a certain food as a training reward they will inevitably make up a large portion of the animal's diet, which is why peanuts should not be used as training treats for rats.

For those who are wondering what I do use, I use a variety of different foods as rewards when working with my rats including rolled oats, dried or fresh fruit (their favourites are bananas, blueberries, and grapes), cooked pasta, steamed vegetables, and puffed rice/kamut cereal pieces.  I will also purchase fruit or vegetable baby food and offer some on my finger as a reward.

I believe it is the puffed rice/kamut visible in a few of the clips that was misidentified as peanuts by the website authours.

[pebblesthecat]

I love the fact that you have made all these little items for them to play with - the goal posts, the wishing well, the climbing frame etc. You can tell that you really love your furry little pals, look after them and keep them entertained, active and motivated.

[bananian]

What happens if you train one train to score the soccer net and the other to defend the net?

[Minniemook]

2:33 Shadow is HARDCORE!! seriously though, these tricks are astonishing!! you must have an amazing bond with your ratties <33

[ballerinatwin]

"Shadow's version..." OMG! I laughed so hard I cried. They are so freakin' cute!

[TheAgainster]

how many times did the rats beat you at connect 4

[cbstardestroyer]

This is just one reason why I love rats. They're so intelligent, and they can learn how to do almost anything.

[alessandrabengalensis]

I may be a cat-person (owned by a Bengal), but I've really been impressed with the rats I've met.  I always knew they're extremely intelligent, but this is the first I've seen of training them.  It looks like all of you have a lot of fun, love, and mutual respect!

[codecanna]

I love how you make little tiny appliances and items for them to do tricks with

[marycassatt]

Oh my goodness these tricks are so adorable! I've seen so many people claim that rats are not intelligent, that they have a very limited awareness of their surroundings and other such ignorant nonsense. Videos like this definitively prove them wrong in spectacular fashion. I ADORE the painting, how awesome to have individual pieces from each of your babies to remember them by! You're incredible, as are your wee friends. :)

[MrPprz]

Awesome music! Thank you for promoting rats! Most under rated pet. I've owned several rats, they are just like little dogs. They love snuggles. They laugh, and are the BEST pets I've ever had.

[gabehopper]

You have an amazing gift. The fact that all your animals are so smart is a testament to your ability as a trainer. Thanks for sharing your gift with the world.

[JoelCarli]

Rats are so cool. Their lifespan is possibly the one thing that makes me decide against having one, though.

[sandrahn]

Got no words to describe adequately how AMAZED I am at the 2 videos I've seen of your trained rats. Just AMAZING!

[caitlyncarmona]

These rats doing such human like actions remind me so much of ratatouille I felt like I was watching what the rats do outside the restaurant life! Nice video

[probablyforeverbliss]

CUTENESS OVERLOAD!! Rats are such underrated pets!

[TheTreeGal]

You are apparently a very adept trainer.  I noticed in video 1 that you did a lot of the same things that dog trainers do in agility trials - tunnel, tilt board, weave, hurdles.  Very impressive indeed!

[Frog_crpse]

i think i died from the overload of cuteness when the white one went "shopping" for its little rat food...that was just so adorable