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The Complete Guide to Rat Training by Debbie Ducommun
The Complete Guide to Rat Training teaches you how to have fun and enhance the relationship you share with your pet rat. The step-by-step format thoroughly and concisely covers a variety of training topics, including positive reinforcement, clicker training, basic and advanced trick training, and how to set up games and science projects. The authoritative text explains how to read rat behavior and body language so you can understand your rat and learn the similarities between rats and humans.
- GenresNonfictionAnimals
Paperback
First published August 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 19, 2020
4.5 stars
If at any point I would like to get into raising and training animals of a certain kind, the idea of raising and training rats interests me the most. It will not be for some time and I will need to be in the right situation to do so (and be less sensitive to odors), but one can always think... and learn... and read up on the subject. If I were to ever get a rodent, rats would be the only one I would consider.
I bought several books on the topic of rats, rat raising, and rat training, and one of the great authorities on the topic of rats is the late, great Debbie Ducommon. Ducommon has appeared on various outlets talking about rats and showing her rats to hosts and viewers and has written about rats in a few books. I also own her book, "Rats: Practical Advice from the Expert," which I probably should have read first to get a general overview on rat care, but I went for this book that gives you a general idea of what to expect when having a rat as a pet, but rightfully concentrates on training rats, starting with setting up the environment and getting an idea as to what your rat is like, then easier basic tricks, before advancing to more complicated and even science fair-esque tricks, like the intellectual tricks often associated with lab rats and mazes.
Debbie Ducommon just about answers every question or concern that one may have when it comes to having rats as pets and as you are reading this book, you feel like you definitely want to have one as a pet or learn more about the endless possibilities that one may have with owning rats, even if it just requires changes in rat raising techniques. Rats have also been admired for how close they are mentally to humans, though Ducommon does say that she believes that, "the average rat is as smart as the average dog," but that she does not think that "the smartest rats are as smart as the smartest dogs" (as per page 19). Ducommon also does a great job letting readers know that anything (within reason) is possible when it comes to what rats can do as long as they are properly trained.
The groundwork to this book is laid out perfectly, for I would have the basics right at hand to preparing to train rats if I were to ever own them. Rereading certain parts would be helpful, though, especially when it comes to certain tricks. The later parts to this book warrant greater examination and would be more helpful when providing a more hands-on experience. The pictures of rats in this book are perfectly dispersed and make the experience of learning about them all the more pleasant. Some of these photos include Ducommon herself training her rats to do certain tricks. The basic thing to know, though, is that rats are food driven and their incentive is getting their treat.
The mechanics of the training in this book also provided me with opportunities to think beyond the book and come up with potential methods of my own, especially when it comes to tying treats to training and designating what should be associated with basic care (general food) and what should be associated with training rewards (such as a favorite treat), in addition to knowing where it is they should relieve themselves.
This book was definitely helpful and I would strongly recommend to those that want to learn more about training rats. Debbie Ducommon has proven to be an authority on the topic of rats, rat raising, and rat training, in addition to having an enthusiastic and friendly disposition.
If at any point I would like to get into raising and training animals of a certain kind, the idea of raising and training rats interests me the most. It will not be for some time and I will need to be in the right situation to do so (and be less sensitive to odors), but one can always think... and learn... and read up on the subject. If I were to ever get a rodent, rats would be the only one I would consider.
I bought several books on the topic of rats, rat raising, and rat training, and one of the great authorities on the topic of rats is the late, great Debbie Ducommon. Ducommon has appeared on various outlets talking about rats and showing her rats to hosts and viewers and has written about rats in a few books. I also own her book, "Rats: Practical Advice from the Expert," which I probably should have read first to get a general overview on rat care, but I went for this book that gives you a general idea of what to expect when having a rat as a pet, but rightfully concentrates on training rats, starting with setting up the environment and getting an idea as to what your rat is like, then easier basic tricks, before advancing to more complicated and even science fair-esque tricks, like the intellectual tricks often associated with lab rats and mazes.
Debbie Ducommon just about answers every question or concern that one may have when it comes to having rats as pets and as you are reading this book, you feel like you definitely want to have one as a pet or learn more about the endless possibilities that one may have with owning rats, even if it just requires changes in rat raising techniques. Rats have also been admired for how close they are mentally to humans, though Ducommon does say that she believes that, "the average rat is as smart as the average dog," but that she does not think that "the smartest rats are as smart as the smartest dogs" (as per page 19). Ducommon also does a great job letting readers know that anything (within reason) is possible when it comes to what rats can do as long as they are properly trained.
The groundwork to this book is laid out perfectly, for I would have the basics right at hand to preparing to train rats if I were to ever own them. Rereading certain parts would be helpful, though, especially when it comes to certain tricks. The later parts to this book warrant greater examination and would be more helpful when providing a more hands-on experience. The pictures of rats in this book are perfectly dispersed and make the experience of learning about them all the more pleasant. Some of these photos include Ducommon herself training her rats to do certain tricks. The basic thing to know, though, is that rats are food driven and their incentive is getting their treat.
The mechanics of the training in this book also provided me with opportunities to think beyond the book and come up with potential methods of my own, especially when it comes to tying treats to training and designating what should be associated with basic care (general food) and what should be associated with training rewards (such as a favorite treat), in addition to knowing where it is they should relieve themselves.
This book was definitely helpful and I would strongly recommend to those that want to learn more about training rats. Debbie Ducommon has proven to be an authority on the topic of rats, rat raising, and rat training, in addition to having an enthusiastic and friendly disposition.
May 29, 2022
Debbie Ducommun was the Rat Lady. She devoted her life to educating the world about rats and removing the stigma attached to keeping rats as pets. Seeing how she became consultant on Ratatouille, I think it's safe to say that she made a heck of a lot of progress towards achieving just that goal.
This guide is a companion piece to the Complete Care Guide that I reviewed earlier. It covers some of what the care guide covered - mainly basic husbandry - before expanding into pure tricks and games for fun and fitness. There are plenty of enrichment ideas, and those ideas are bolstered not only by Ducommun's personal experience and research - but also by guides of what common household objects can be used to create the more elaborate tricks and guides for building them.
I'm not kidding when I say this guide book is everything you need to get started training rats, and even putting on your little rat show. I'm fairly certain that everything you'd see in the X-Treme Rat Challenge is right here in this book, and from these basics you could expand to even more complex tricks.
This book also, importantly, helps you maximize the tricks to the rats personality type. If you have a lazy rat - perfect for posing in cars. More adventurous? Perfect for the tightrope walk, etc.
Must have for the aspiring rat trainer in your life.
This guide is a companion piece to the Complete Care Guide that I reviewed earlier. It covers some of what the care guide covered - mainly basic husbandry - before expanding into pure tricks and games for fun and fitness. There are plenty of enrichment ideas, and those ideas are bolstered not only by Ducommun's personal experience and research - but also by guides of what common household objects can be used to create the more elaborate tricks and guides for building them.
I'm not kidding when I say this guide book is everything you need to get started training rats, and even putting on your little rat show. I'm fairly certain that everything you'd see in the X-Treme Rat Challenge is right here in this book, and from these basics you could expand to even more complex tricks.
This book also, importantly, helps you maximize the tricks to the rats personality type. If you have a lazy rat - perfect for posing in cars. More adventurous? Perfect for the tightrope walk, etc.
Must have for the aspiring rat trainer in your life.
February 25, 2023
I tried to reach my rats their names after reading this book but it took too much effort and I stopped trying but just to know that it is possible to teach a rat it’s name was worth reading. This author is a saint. It is fun to feed them a small part of your dinner.
March 5, 2011
I wasn't that interested in the rat training, so much as what the book could tell me about rat behaviour and intelligence. And my, it was quite fascinating, with all kinds of interesting bits of information, suggesting that rats are actually much closer to us than we might like to think.
March 2, 2011
Very comprehensive. Enjoying the read.
February 17, 2015
This was a very useful book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews