Clicker Training a Chinchilla

[Molly]

So my trainer (I train service dogs) is really pushing me to clicker train Gus b/c he already respond to sounds like tapping on the dust bath house. It'll help with my timing and stuff. Anyway, one of the keys to clicker training is the treats -- they have to be little and valuable -- for instance, giving Gus a whole rose hip would make him uneager to work for more, because he'd be satisfied. Does that make sense?

Anyway, does anyone have any ideas of something I could use for a reward? I was thinking maybe a lick of the Critical Care? I've never tried it, but read that some people give a little every day.

Right now he gets Mazuri pellets, water, oxbow hay, and occasionally a rosehip or bit of alfalfa.

P.S. If I can clicker train him, I'll post a video! It'll be fun!

 

[Parkerspetchins]

How about an old fashioned oat? You could give one of those a few times in a short span of time.

 

[oxchincerelyxo]

You could always just break what ever treat you use into smaller pieces...so he's really getting one treat just in several servings

 

[I<3MyChinnies]

I like the oat idea and the smaller pieces idea. If Gus really likes the rose hips what about you just give crushed rose hip pieces - they're significantly smaller than a whole rose hip.

 

[addictedtochins]

I think they'd have to be pretty short training periods.

 

[ErinB]

I think that's a really interesting idea! Let us know if it works.

 

[Olallie]

I tried clicker training my sister's girl. And I did get her to associate the click with the treat, but if you dont keep doing it they'll lose it.
I tried training her to jump onto my shoulder, it worked for a while. And that was only because i couldn't grab her out of the cage, it had to be of her own free will so to speak.

 

[Molly]

Oats are a great idea! Wish me luck! :-D