adaptable:  able to exist in a new environment

back chaining:  a training technique in which behaviors are taught in the reverse order of what is desired, with each behavior reinforced using the cue for the next

behavior chain:  more than one trained behavior performed in a row

bumblefoot:  an infection that occurs in rats and other rodents, marked by a red lesion on the foot

clicker:  a mechanical device that makes a click sound to tell your rat exactly when he is doing the right thing

colony:  multiple individuals of the same species sharing the same habitat

criteria:  the rules of the routine (e.g., how long it should take)

cue:  a signal—visual, verbal, or scent based—given to the rat to perform a desired behavior

fancy:  word used to describe the varieties of rats promoted by breeders for pet and show purposes

habitat:  the living environment

hierarchy:  pecking order, the rat’s rank in the colony

lure: an enticing piece of food that captures your rat’s attention; can also be a tap or a stick

mark: a specific sound that translates to the receipt of a reward; see clicker

marker: a piece of cloth that the rat learns to go to and remain on until he receives his marker for rewards

motivator: a type of food that the rat really likes and will work for (not his usual lab block)

neutral territory: a place where no rat has been for any length of time and so does not harbor any scent

nocturnal: more active at night

operant conditioning: the teaching of a behavior in response to the presentation of a stimulus, such as a cue, and the subsequent rewarding of that behavior

positive reinforcement: giving rewards for doing as requested

regress: not performing as previously; the opposite of progress

response: the behavior exhibited at the presentation of a cue

Sendai virus (SV): a common and serious respiratory disease in rodents, similar to influenza

sialodacryoadentitis (SDA): a deadly and highly contagious virus in rats that weakens the immune system

stimuli: cues or objects presented to the rat to obtain a response

target stick: a stick with a small ball or other focal point on the tip, used to bring the rat’s attention to a particular location