Tricks

[Hammy.Hamms]

Hi!
I have been trying to teach my Hammy "Sit Pretty" and it's been pretty successful. But now that I am trying to teach "circle" she just ignores me. I have the lettuce right in front of her, waving it around so she'll see, and I try to slowly make her do a circle, but she wont follow the lettuce.
Lettuce IS her favorite food (next to coriander, but we didn't have any), but she just ignored me.
She KNEW it was lettuce, but she didn't seem in the mood to do anything.
Please give me training advice!
Thanks!

 

[Critter]

Just be patient really (but only if she is perfectly happy with the process), but never to let it go on too long as sometimes they just don't understand what it is you are trying to get them to do, and just end up confused about why they are not being allowed the food. Training needs to be little and often, but us humans need to know when to quit (when our pets are simply confused and perhaps frustrated). Remember that tricks are for our enjoyment and if your pet doesn't understand and can't get her treat then she is probably not enjoying the training. Some will pick it up, and some won't, and I'd just say not to worry too much about it and just enjoy her for what she already is and already does.
Some training can be useful though, for example getting them used to being held in nail-cutting position, just briefly, and being rewarded with a treat just for being in that position. x

I suspect in her case she was simply waiting for you to bring the lettuce to her, as that was what she was expecting. She may follow it another time, and may learn to associate the movement with turning a circle and eventually may do so readily in anticipation of the treat, but it is also possible that she will never understand. Perhaps if she doesn't start to follow the lettuce after several 'sessions' then perhaps it isn't in her nature to learn that kind of thing x