The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness [Paperback]

Debbie Ducommun (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2008

Rats are the equal of dogs and cats in playfulness, personality, and intelligence--making them great pets for both children and adults. In fact, over half a million households in the US own a pet rat or mouse.

One of only a few books devoted entirely to rat training, 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, behavior modification, litter 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. It includes plans and instructions for building training equipment such as mazes and intelligence tests, and provides guidelines that will facilitate a rat's adjustment to domestic life and help foster a lasting relationship between owner and pet. It also discusses the history of rat training, including tips from professional animal trainers who have trained rats for the entertainment industry.

Packed with color photographs and supplemented with scientific research, helpful tips, and illustrations, The Complete Guide to Rat Training provides the reader with a compact yet instructive manual that is informative, easy-to-read, and fun!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Debbie Ducommun has a B.A. degree in animal behavior and over 18 years of experience working in the animal care industry with a background in training, nutrition, and health care. Known as "The Rat Lady," Debbie is internationally recognized as an expert on domestic rats. She lives in Chico, CA with her husband, Larry, and a varying number of pet rats.

Product Details

• Paperback: 143 pages
• Publisher: Tfh Pubns Inc (September 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0793806518
• ISBN-13: 978-0793806515
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 6.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #41,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Mice, Hamsters & Guinea Pigs
  • #2 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Animal Care & Pets > Rabbits

More About the Author

Debbie Ducommun, known as "The Rat Lady" since 1985, is internationally recognized as an expert on domestic rats. She has worked as a veterinary assistant, dog obedience instructor, manager of a humane society, and manager of the rat laboratory at California State University at Chico. She graduated from CSU, Chico with honors and a bachelor of arts degree in Animal Behavior, and has also completed graduate classes in nutrition.

Ducommun has had numerous articles published in national animal magazines and since 1997 has written a column on small animals for "Pet Business" magazine. In 1992 she founded The Rat Fan Club, and she wrote and published the Rat Report, a monthly newsletter for rat owners, until 2005. She also writes and publishes the "Rat Health Care" booklet, which is in its 13th edition and has sold well over 10,000 copies. Ducommun is author of the rat care book titled "Rats, Practical Accurate Advice from the Expert," published by Bowtie Press in 1998 and revised and reprinted in 2002, and "The Complete Guide to Rat Training" published by TFH Publications in 2008.

Ducommun has promoted rats on numerous TV and radio shows, and has also given numerous talks on rat and small animal care in classrooms and at Pet Fairs and Expos. She is consulted by veterinarians because of her extensive knowledge of rat health. She continues to expand her knowledge of rats on a daily basis. Ducommun lives in Chico, CA with her husband and a varying number of rats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome advice!, March 11, 2009

By 

C. Furuya (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness (Paperback)

Within three lessons I was able to train my Eva to follow my hand into a carrying case (which previously terrified her), stand up on command, etc. I think she recognized the sound of the box of treats opening more than any verbal commands, though, lol!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written., December 12, 2008

By 

Kelly L. Shoemaker (Los Alamos, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness (Paperback)

This book is great. It's teaches you step by step exactly what to do. Very colorful illustrations and easy to read. I highly recommend it!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Debbie Does it Again..., December 17, 2009

By 

Debra Floyd "FreeRadical" (Providence, RI, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Complete Guide to Rat Training: Tricks and Games for Rat Fun and Fitness (Paperback)

I can't say enough about the wonder of pet rats (they are my favorite pets of all time!) and of the wonderful Debbie Ducumon, who not only writes the best books on these fabulous creatures, but is also warm and accessable (she once answered the phone when I called with an emergency (no vets seem to know what to do with rats, which I find extremely strange and sad), and she answered by concerns perfectly. Didn't seem at all put out that a stranger would call her. God Bless the Rat Lady and her SpazRatz!