Other Turtle Discussion :: Training a turtle

[Tenodera]

Hey what do you guys think about training a turtle? LOL

I read somewhere it was possible with LOTS of treats and time.

Don't worry, I'm not going to make Serra jump through hoops of fire or something.

Maybe some stuff like "Follow me" and "Go there" and "Stay" and things like that.


NOTE:I wouldn't be attempting this unless I know for sure that Serra enjoys being out of her tank. So unless your turtle is unafraid of being out of it's tank, I wouldn't recommend "training" your turtle


Hey Kristen, have you ever tried training Sheba? Or has anyone else tried "training" their turtle?



Kevin

[SpotsMama]

I'd be surprised if you had much luck except to reinforce her normal turtle behavior. For example, I think she already follows you around some, doesn't she? If you're always kind and encouraging then she'll probably continue to do this and maybe do it more consistently.

[megcornell]

I think Spotsmama pretty much hit that one right on target-- I don't think turtles are as inclined for training as say dogs are for several reasons, intelligence and motivation levels being two big differences. I think that if Serra knows you as her food source she'll gladly follow you but that's about it. Although if you do get that ring of fire trick to work, it'll surely win photo of the month

[industrial_girl_2000]

Hey Tenodera,

I have to agree with what the other posters already said. As much as I dearly love Sheba & enjoy her reactions to me, you can only hope to be able to "train" them to do things like showing a preference for certain people (YOU, hopefully since you feed them) and maybe following you around or responding to the "sound" of your voice. Hopefully you can engage their curiosity when they are out of the tank and you can crawl around with them on the floor. They can be pretty amusing at times like these.

Turtles are very independant. If you work with them enough, you may be surprised at some of the interesting reactions you can get from them. In terms of teaching them actual words (come, stay, etc), I don't think we can actually get them to understand actual language since they themselves don't communicate linguistically with each other & their hearing isn't the greatest. But they do SEE well, so that gives you at least something to work with.

[Safdar]

"Tie a string to ur pants and tie a pellet at the end"
(just a symbol, dont do that)

FOOD!!!
Bribe him to do everything with food
I bet if you get him to follow you
The only reason hes doing it
is because he thinks you have food

I trained Tito put his hand on my finger when i stick it out
(ill post a video soon)
I just held his hand and then fed him a pellet
After a couple of days of this routine
Hell come to me put his hand on my finger and stare for food

=D

[turboturtle8]

It could be tricky but then again you would be the first person I ever knew who trained there turtle.

[roseK]

I trained Tito put his hand on my finger when i stick it out
(ill post a video soon)
I just held his hand and then fed him a pellet
After a couple of days of this routine
Hell come to me put his hand on my finger and stare for food

=D

AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW CUTE *DIES* i wish my wall-e would do that.. ill work on it soon lol

[Safdar]

Lol, just rememeber to reinforce every action with food
That way hell do it again thinking hell get some food
It takes time
It took me like a month for him to do it consistently

[Tenodera]

LOL what do you think I should try first? Serra also knows the handshake trick!

She'd sit up and try to grab one of my fingers with her paws then I'd give her a piece of krill

[Safdar]

There alot of things u can do
Does she come on ur hand if u put in on top of the water?

I mean like, whatevr u want her to do
Either lure her with the food
Or bribe her.

Okay what do you want her to do?

[Tenodera]

There alot of things u can do
Does she come on ur hand if u put in on top of the water?

You are joking, yes?

That's kinda like asking will a piranha come if I place a piece of meat in the water.


I don't know...

[Safdar]

Ohh she bites


not alot u can do there then

i dont know, i never had a biting situation

[DavidY]

ha! My Pilot learned that trick a long time ago. I point my finger at her and say "Pilot, bite!" and she promptly chomps down on my finger! It's great! She performs the trick and gets fed at the same time! My friends are always amazed. I can't keep doing it much longer though cuz my fingers are getting too stubby for me to type. Can't let that happen!

[SpotsMama]

DavidY you kill me! You'll have to get some finger extensions.

[kmichael55]

haha good one David

my turtles tricks include: swim, bask, and eat...they are multi talented