How to Train a Rat to Retrieve Objects

Co-authored by Brian Starr

Last Updated: October 21, 2021

While you might only think a dog can “fetch” something, rats can be trained to retrieve objects as well! If you have the time and patience, you can train your rat fetch things for you. If you're prepared to give treats and willing to practice, your pet rat can be on the same level as man's best friend!

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:
Teaching Your Rat to Pick up Objects

1
Play on your rat's curiosity and drop an object outside its cage. Rats are naturally curious, so if you accidentally drop an object or slightly throw it, they will flock to it. They enjoy taking things from their owners or pouncing on objects when they drop, so this step doesn't require much effort from your rat. Throwing or dropping something will catch your rat's attention and it will pick it up for themselves.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Try using an eraser, wooden block, or piece of cloth.
- Your rat probably won't bring the object back to you right away, but that's okay! It will likely scurry away with it.
2
Reward your rat with praise or treats. Tell it it's doing a good job in a clear, happy voice. Once your rat gets the hang of picking up thing, start showing them you have a treat in your hand before they run too far away. This will make them want to come back to you while they still have the object.
- Rats enjoy variety, so try different treats to switch things up!
- If your rat doesn't do what you want it to, cut the rewards. Instead of praise, speak in a disappointed tone and try withholding treats.
- Most rats love green peas as treats. Other breeds, like roof rats, really love almonds.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Brian Starr
  Rat Specialist & Breeder
  Expert Interview. 27 April 2021.}
Advertisement
3
Throw your objects further away to challenge your rat. Once your rat has the short distances down pat, try throwing the object a little further. The distance will be less convenient, but if your rat still runs to it, you can tell it's learning!
4
Stop if your rat is not having fun. The only way for this trick to work is if your rat enjoys itself. If it starts getting fed up with training, give it a break. You'll know if your rat is no longer enjoying itself if it stops responding. Instead of running to get the object, it will stay in one spot or go to a completely different area.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Aim for 5 short training sessions a day. These should be no longer than 10 minutes.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
- If you overdo this part of the training, your rat won't want to continue. Keep the exercise fun! Offer delicious treats when it does the right thing or try throwing a variety of objects to keep its attention.
Advertisement

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:
Teaching Your Rat to Return Objects to You

1
Call your rat back to you. When your rat gets the hang of picking up objects, try to get it to return to you. Before your rat can run off to its cage with the object or drop it somewhere, get its attention by saying its name or making some other sound.
- If your rat doesn't respond to you, try keeping a treat in your hand and flash it. If you show the rat that you have something, it will be more enticed to return to you.
- Your rat simply may not want to play. Give it a break and return to the training after some time has passed. Forcing it to train will just make your rat more stubborn, so take it easy for a bit.
2
Give your rat the treat when it returns. When your rat realizes you want to give it a reward, it will drop the object either in your hand or near you so it can replace it with the treat.
- Your rat may try to take both the object and the treat with it. If so, just keep practicing!
- You can also try praising your rat when it leaves you with the object. This reinforces its actions so it will do it again later.
3
Repeat the process so your rat understands. Practice makes perfect when training any animal, and the same goes for your rat! Keep tossing objects for it to pick up and bring back to you.
- Rats and mice commit certain behaviors to memory through repetition. Their performance improves with practice.^{[5]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  Go to source}
- Specifically telling your rat to “fetch” will help reinforce the behavior as well.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Eventually, your rat will automatically retrieve the object without you needing to reward it.
Advertisement

Warnings

Rats tend to get unruly and stubborn. This doesn't mean they untrainable, but training them does require some patience.

Thanks!
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 3
Retrieval is one of the most difficult tasks for rats to learn, so it might take time for you rat to learn this trick.^{[7]
X
Research source}

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Don't get angry if your rat doesn't listen. Rats usually don't understand discipline.^{[8]
X
Research source}

Thanks!
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0