If you and your hamster have a healthy relationship, you can teach it simple tricks like standing, jumping, and doing circles. Running an obstacle course is a great way to train your hamster to run because it’s in his nature to want to do so. Any animal with a brain that connects to the stomach, as someone once said, can be trained. Actually, they’re quite intelligent little critters, and you’d be surprised at how much they can do – like learn tricks.
Why should you teach tricks to your hamster?
If you think hamsters are stupid, you’re not paying attention. You can teach hamsters tricks by utilizing your voice and hand gestures in conjunction with goodies as a form of positive reinforcement. Simple tricks like beg, jump, roll over, play dead, and backflip can be taught to hamsters.
In addition to teaching your hamster a name, you can also teach it how to navigate a maze. Rewarding your pet with time out of the cage and appetizing foods like seeds, nuts, fresh fruits, and veggies is an option.
Learning new tricks is a fun way to spend time with a child and have fun together. To help you get started and get the most out of your training sessions, we’ve put together this useful guide.
Can Hamsters Learn Tricks?
All rodents, including hamsters, are classified in the order Rodentia, which includes them all. There are numerous experimental experiments that involve hamsters because of their intelligence.
Brain, Behavior, and Evolution claim that rodents are closer to primates than eutherian groups in terms of the phylogeny. A dog’s keen sense of perception allows them to pick up on cues from both the visual and audio worlds.
Also, know Should you play with your hamster?
However, some hamsters are more responsive to stimuli than others, and some learn more quickly than others. It is possible to learn tricks with any hamsters because they all have the ability, however, hamsters are easily distracted and lack long attention spans. The best way to teach your hamster simple tasks is to train it consistently every day.
Also, you’ll want to begin with simple tricks and work your way up to more difficult ones. Hamsters aren’t capable of learning complex tasks, yet they can nevertheless be trained to complete simple ones.
Tips on how to teach a hamster
Stand
It’s a quick and easy way to teach your child a fun new skill. Yes, of course, keep the Hamster food/treat on hand!!
- Place your Hamster on a table or other flat surface, and then take a seat next to them.
- Show them the treat you have and say “STAND” after that. When your Hamster begins inspecting the goodie, raise it above its head. Before you give them the treat, thank them for following the item by patting them on the back and uttering the word “GOOD.”
- Raise the treat a bit more each time you perform this trick. It’s possible that they could all stand at the same time. When your Hamster does the task correctly, be sure to say the word “GOOD” and give it a pat on the back.
Using this trick a few times a day with your Hamster can help them learn faster. If you utilize their favorite food as a reward, hamster training will be much easier.
Jump
A hoop that is at least four inches in diameter is required for your Hamster, depending on its size.
- Begin by placing the hoop in front of your Hamster so that the bottom of its cage is directly in contact with it. Hold a treat on the other side of the hoop and shout “JUMP” while calling their name. Then pat them on the back to show your appreciation.
- If your hamster refuses to come forward or moves away from the hoop, hamster training might be challenging. Cupped hands can be used to help them through the hoop, if necessary. Every time they make progress, don’t forget to utter the word “good.”
A litter box
Your Hamster’s cage should include a litter box placed in the area where they defecate the most. A few fecal pellets and a handful of hay should be placed in the box as well.
You’ll need to keep an eye on this and be patient. Even though it takes effort to show them where they shouldn’t litter, your appreciation will go a long way.
P.S. If your Hamster seems uninterested or stops participating in the teaching process, start over the next day. Do not force the training. Remember that training is an important component of Hamster care, and patience is required throughout the process.
How To Teach Your Hamster Tricks?
The best technique to teach hamsters new skills is to use positive reinforcement. Rats can be taught to pull levers by rewarding them with food based on a learning process developed by psychologist B.F. Skinner. As a result, they’ve developed a habit of doing the same thing. Hamsters, on the other hand, are capable of learning new skills with the help of rewards. Owners must do the following:
- The trick should be broken down into easy-to-follow steps and performed slowly.
- To encourage completion, provide an incentive such as a treat, interaction, or free time.
- In order to assist the hamster link one of its own vocalisations or gestures with the trick, use auditory and visual clues.
- Reward them each time it performs the trick when the cue is provided.
- Some hamster owners use clickers to assist their pets learn new tricks. Every time the button is pressed, these devices make a clicking sound. The reward is linked to a click when the hamster does what you want him to do.
- Despite this, hamsters are prey animals, thus they may become frightened as a result.
Summing Up
Maintaining a consistent training schedule is important, but it doesn’t hurt to change things up every now and then. Because every hamster is unique and varied, it’s important to practice patience and not become angry if a trick takes longer than intended. If your hamster seems agitated or uninterested, slow down and give it a break.
You may strengthen your relationship with your hamster and keep it cognitively stimulated by teaching it tricks. So, start small and gradually increase the difficulty of the exercises you give it. A hamster’s ability to learn is limited only by how much he or she enjoys the experience. Toys and obstacle courses can be used; tricks can be made up along the way and shown off to family and friends.
