|
|
Post by PipSqueak on Mar 16, 2021 3:13:56 GMT -8
I found a website last night and it listed different tricks you can teach your gerbils. Has anyone taught their gerbils any of these tricks and is it possible to teach a gerbil? www.gerbilwelfare.com/teaching-gerbils-tricks/I was thinking of trying to teach their name to one of my gerbils and possibly to spin around with the other. Would this work? The article also mentioned using one of those clickers for dogs that make the clicking noise instead of a treat. Can that even be used for a gerbil? |
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 16, 2021 5:42:57 GMT -8
Absolutely PipSqueak - do it - it works (well the positive reinforcement way - usually called 'the clicker way' but you don't actually need the clicker. The clicker is actually for the human not the animal. Within a few minutes of understanding the actual method - I haven't used a clicker since - but I give it to all the humans anyway as a focal point). I easily taught my gerbils (humans, dogs, cats and rats) some simple tricks using it - and the 'clicker way' means that you can literally train anything to do anything. Only if you understand the process yourself though - otherwise it can be a disaster!!!! Maybe record the process to share? |
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Mar 18, 2021 11:58:50 GMT -8
You train humans with a clicker too?  Looking forwards to the results  |
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 18, 2021 12:09:11 GMT -8
I used to work in Pet Retail - and I found that if I trained humans first in 'the clicker method' - then they understood how it all worked and could better advise customers on the whole process.
Also though, the principle of it can be applied to anything in life - so yes, indirectly (ie without the clicker) you can work with colleagues (humans) in such a way that you support and increase the positive things they do. Everyone wins!
|
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 25, 2021 16:30:12 GMT -8
PipSqueak - have you started any training yet?
|
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 25, 2021 17:56:16 GMT -8
I've taught Lily and Daisy some tricks. I've taught them both to spin round when I tap their right side. We also have this silly game where I build a tower out of raisin boxes and they knock it over for a treat. It's completely pointless but I enjoy it. And Lily, of course, knows how to open raisin boxes, as demonstrated in my entry to last month's video contest. I also have this puzzle toy. All four of the gerbils know how to solve the sliding puzzle and the lids, but only Lily fully knows how to operate the lever. Daisy is odd with this. She can push the lever up but then she doesn't know she's supposed to look in the hole for the treat. She just looks confused and walks away. I'm not quite sure why she can't get it but we've tried many times, I've pointed the treat out to her, but she never advances beyond pushing up the lever. |
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 25, 2021 18:17:45 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by betty on Mar 26, 2021 4:59:40 GMT -8
Totally cute how she is like YAY the treat (when you literally hand it to her!). Maybe one of her senses isn't working properly - I assume you tried different colour and different smelling treat and she didn't see any of them?
You could try one of two things: Overload the hole or clicker training.
Overload the hole is an obvious one - and so when she pulls the lever she can't NOT see all the food in there - no reaching in or anything - it is level with the top.
Based on the conditioning technique (clicker) for simple one step tricks - where each step is progressive - you need to associate a treat with the hole if you want to see if you can help her figure it out.
So, similar to what you are doing but with more purpose and specific routine. So, for conditioning, you need to have tiny treats that would be eaten straight away - not treats they can carry off or have to shuck. Only have 5-10 teeny treats per session - and get yourself in position where your hand will approach her directly over the hole
So, when she pulls the lever in any way make a click with your mouth and give her a treat directly in her face. Then when she does the lever again - click - treat - face to help her understand. Then when she does it again (pulls the lever fully only, click - treat - face. Once you think she is happy for FULL lever (where she pulls full lever and looks towards you - you can move on. This might not be in one session - so never rush it otherwise it looses it's impact - however some animals catch on way faster than others.
Always end the session with a giant treat of something else - nowhere near the lever.
Anyway - progressing on - once the whole full lever and treat in face are settled - then hold the treat a bit further away from her each time and lower ideally, just a touch. This way it becomes: lever - click - lean towards the hole - treat. You see where we are going with this (very slowly I might add). You never want to get a point during early training where she pulls the level fully but doesn't hear the click AND get the treat. They are both integrel to the learning process.
Over a few sessions - move the treat over and then start to drop it in the hole itself - bascially you want to get to the point where after hearing the click - she actively moves towards the hole anyway. Then start putting the treat already in the hole (like you have always been doing) but make sure it is a really good one - so when she FINALLY figures it out - she gets a huge reward - incentive to always repeat that action.
|
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 26, 2021 10:51:02 GMT -8
Thanks for the tips betty. I'll try overloading the hole. The trouble is, I don't tend to use the toy so much nowadays because I have to be so careful with Daisy's diet or she gains weight. I'll try using oats which aren't fatty. I could also try putting their fresh food in there. It would work for Lily because she loves anything fresh but I'm not sure about Daisy. |
|
|
|
Post by Markpd on Mar 26, 2021 15:14:39 GMT -8
That's so funny and cute  The funny thing is she literally sticks her nose over the treat just after she 1st opened it, but doesn't notice it there! Maybe her sense of smell is as bad as Blakes??
|
|
|
|
Post by LilyandDaisy on Mar 26, 2021 15:37:50 GMT -8
That's so funny and cute The funny thing is she literally sticks her nose over the treat just after she 1st opened it, but doesn't notice it there! Maybe her sense of smell is as bad as Blakes??
I've never noticed any issues with her sense of smell. It was a sunflower seed anyway so nothing smelly. Maybe she didn't see it since it blends in with the black plastic, but she's fine with the other puzzles on the same board. I can't remember if I've tried it with anything not dark in colour but I'll see if that makes a difference. |
|
|
|
Post by mygerbilprince on Mar 26, 2021 20:40:31 GMT -8
I found a website last night and it listed different tricks you can teach your gerbils. Has anyone taught their gerbils any of these tricks and is it possible to teach a gerbil? www.gerbilwelfare.com/teaching-gerbils-tricks/I was thinking of trying to teach their name to one of my gerbils and possibly to spin around with the other. Would this work? The article also mentioned using one of those clickers for dogs that make the clicking noise instead of a treat. Can that even be used for a gerbil? I haven't intentionally taught any of those tricks to my gerbils but they know their names and I make a special noise that signals them to come out for treats. I have taught one of my gerbils to crawl through a tube, climb up on the metal bars, and crouch down really low. I have just used treats and worked with them every day, never tried a dog training clicker though. They also know a few spots around their tanks where I leave treats for them so they will go and check there often. |
|
|
|
Post by Scott on Mar 31, 2021 4:52:53 GMT -8
What if you left the hole open and put the treat in for her to find? Maybe offer her the treat with your fingers and when she tries to take it you drop it in the hole for her to retrieve. Perhaps you do this over and over she'll make the connection, and get it herself with the lever when the hole is closed.
|
|
), late 70s
