Agility with Alica
Solid Wall Jump
By now, your rattie partner should be going through the window jump reliably. Now it is time to add the solid wall jump. This one is easily learned by the rats since it will be familiar to the rat. Your jump can be anywhere from 3-6 inches high and 4-6 inches wide. It is a solid jump with no spaces for the rat to crawl through. The jump can be constructed of wood or plastic. I have seen them made of cardboard and particle board, but, of course, these are only temporary jumps. One of my favorite is made from large Lego blocks. Another I have is made from a rectangular piece of wood with triangle shaped supports. The Lego jump has craft sticks on the bottom to keep it from tipping when my rat goes over. This is important with all the obstacles. If your rat is scared by a falling obstacle, she will be wary of approaching it next time.
Set your agility partner in front of the wall jump and either tap it or hold the treat just above it. Call your rat by name and encourage her to go over. This is usually accomplished on the first or second try because the rat is used to going across the bottom of the window jump. Immediately reward and praise your agility partner! Do this a few times to make sure she understands the wall. Now, place the jump behind the window jump, making sure you leave enough room for the rat to stand between the two obstacles. Have her go over the solid wall and through the window jump before rewarding her. Give her lots of encouragement and praise for going over the solid wall but only give her the reward after she goes through the window jump. After a few successful runs, move the wall jump a little farther back from the window jump and keep practicing. You and your partner are on the way to learning an entire agility course!
Next month: The bridge
By now, your rattie partner should be going through the window jump reliably. Now it is time to add the solid wall jump. This one is easily learned by the rats since it will be familiar to the rat. Your jump can be anywhere from 3-6 inches high and 4-6 inches wide. It is a solid jump with no spaces for the rat to crawl through. The jump can be constructed of wood or plastic. I have seen them made of cardboard and particle board, but, of course, these are only temporary jumps. One of my favorite is made from large Lego blocks. Another I have is made from a rectangular piece of wood with triangle shaped supports. The Lego jump has craft sticks on the bottom to keep it from tipping when my rat goes over. This is important with all the obstacles. If your rat is scared by a falling obstacle, she will be wary of approaching it next time.
Set your agility partner in front of the wall jump and either tap it or hold the treat just above it. Call your rat by name and encourage her to go over. This is usually accomplished on the first or second try because the rat is used to going across the bottom of the window jump. Immediately reward and praise your agility partner! Do this a few times to make sure she understands the wall. Now, place the jump behind the window jump, making sure you leave enough room for the rat to stand between the two obstacles. Have her go over the solid wall and through the window jump before rewarding her. Give her lots of encouragement and praise for going over the solid wall but only give her the reward after she goes through the window jump. After a few successful runs, move the wall jump a little farther back from the window jump and keep practicing. You and your partner are on the way to learning an entire agility course!
Next month: The bridge