How-To: Teaching Herbert to Stand

Herbert learning Stand

The first trick I decided to teach Herbert is Stand. It's probably one of the easiest tricks to teach your hamster, since it is a common behavior that they do often. Herbert is constantly standing at the edge of his cage asking to come out to play once he wakes up or standing at the edge of his playpen when he hears my voice nearby.

Once you have gathered your training supplies, which consist of your clicker, treats, a secure location for your hamster to train (a playpen, bin, or cage), and your hamster, you can begin.

Here are the steps to teach your hamster to Stand.

1. Pick a level and stable surface to have your hamster stand on.
2. Have a treat in your hand. Show it to your hamster.
3. Lift the treat above your hamsters head.
4. When your hamster's front paws come off the floor and he is standing, click and then give him the treat while he is still standing.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 until your hamster will do it without you having to have a treat in your hand.
6. Practice Stand on different surfaces.

Herbert learning Stand on different surfaces.

Notes:
*Make sure there isn't anything around your hamster that he can use to cheat by placing his front paws onto to help him balance.
*Keep your training sessions short, 10 minutes tops. Hamsters have short attention spans. It might take several sessions until your hamster is standing without a treat in your hand.
*Only add your command when you are 100% sure that you can get your hamster to stand. Your command will come before you give your hamster your hand signal (lifting your hand above his head).