How to Train a Rat Terrier? : A Beginner’s Guide by Seasoned Dog Trainers

Rat Terriers are full of energy, brains, and instinct – all of this makes them great hunting companions.

Whether you're prepping your Rat Terrier for squirrel hunts, pest control, or general fieldwork, you’ve to get the training right so you’ve a reliable partner in the field.

Here's a hands-on guide on how to train a Rat Terrier and create a winning team.

How to Train a Rat Terrier Dog?

how to train a rat terrier

Rat Terriers were bred with one goal in mind – hunting. Here’s a quick look at their heritage:

Originally developed in the early 20th century for farm work and vermin control
Bred from a mix of terriers and other working breeds
Known for their speed, agility, and strong prey drive
Versatile hunters capable of pursuing small game and vermin

With their natural instinct, you’ve already got a head start. But the right training can help take that raw talent and fine-tune your dog for specific hunting tasks.

Step 1: Start with Basic Obedience

The best hunting dogs aren’t just fast and clever; they’re obedient. All of that starts with the basics:

Sit
Stay
Come
Heel
Leave it

Pro Tip: Keep it positive. Reward your dog with treats, praise, or play whenever they get it right. This way, your Rat Terrier will start associating good behaviors with a happy outcome.

Step 2: Training a Reliable Recall

Let’s say your dog is chasing after a squirrel and vanishes out of sight with no sign of reappearance.

That’s when you need a reliable recall so it comes back the second you call even in the excitement of the hunt.

Recall Training Exercise:

Start in a quiet, distraction-free area.
Use a consistent command like “Come” or just call its name.
Reward when it responds
Gradually increase distractions and distance as your dog improves

Pro Tip: “A reliable recall can be the difference between a successful hunt and a lost dog,” says John Thompson, a professional dog trainer specializing in hunting breeds. “Practice recall daily, making it a fun and rewarding experience for your Rat Terrier.”

Step 3: Introduce Scent Work

Rat Terriers have a keen sense of smell, which is essential for tracking prey. Develop this skill through this simple scent training:

Start with a strong-smelling treat or toy
Hide the item in increasingly challenging locations
Encourage your dog to find it with commands like “Find it” or “Seek”
When it does, reward it with some treats
As it improves, introduce scents of the animals you’ll be hunting, like squirrels or rabbits.

Step 4: Build Stamina and Agility

Rat Terriers are naturally athletic but they need conditioning to perform at their best during long hunts.

You can add these exercises to your training routine:

Daily walks or runs while gradually increasing distance and intensity
Agility training with homemade or professional obstacle courses
Swimming for low-impact endurance building
Fetch games to improve speed and retrieval skills

Pro Tip: Always check to see your dog isn’t fatigued and provide plenty of water during exercise sessions.

Step 5: Teaching Treeing and Flushing Behaviors

You’ll need this for hunting small creatures:

Treeing Training:

Use a squirrel pelt or scented toy attached to a long pole
Encourage your dog to chase and bark at the lure as you raise it up a tree
Reward it for staying at the tree and barking

Flushing Training:

Hide a scented toy or training dummy in tall grass or brush
Let your dog search and flush out the “prey”
Reward successful flushes with praise and play

Pro Tip: Sarah Miller – an experienced Rat Terrier trainer – advises, “Start with easy wins to build your dog's confidence. Gradually increase the difficulty of treeing and flushing exercises as your dog's skills improve.”

Step 6: Introduce Gunfire Gradually

Rat Terriers are naturally gun-shy. This means you’ve to introduce gunfire gradually and positively:

Start with distant, muffled shots while your dog is doing something fun
Gradually decrease the distance and increase the volume
Always associate gunfire with positive experiences, such as treats or play

Safety Note: Never fire a gun close to your dog without proper ear protection for both you and your fur buddy.

Step 7: Develop Retrieval Skills

While Rat Terriers aren’t known for retrieving, you want your dog to have this skill.

Start with short, easy retrieves with a favorite toy
Gradually increase distance and add distractions
Introduce different toys or even water retrieves if you’re planning to hunt in wet areas.

Pro Tip: You can try this two-toy trick – after your dog retrieves one item, show a second toy so it brings the first one back.

Step 8: Simulate Hunting Scenarios

When you’re confident that your Terrier is progressing, you can create mock hunting scenarios to prepare it for real-world situations:

Set up scent trails in different types of terrain
Use remote-controlled prey dummies to simulate moving targets
Practice hunting with other dogs to develop pack skills
Expose your dog to different weather conditions and hunting environments

Pro Tip: “The more diverse experiences you can provide during training, the better prepared your Rat Terrier will be for actual hunts,” says Mike Johnson, a veteran small game hunter.

Rat Terrier Training: Addressing Common Challenges

Not everything will go according to your plan during the training session. Here's how to handle common issues:

Overexcitement

Use impulse control exercises and practice calm behavior in stimulating environments.

Distractibility

Gradually increase distractions so your dog learns to focus.

Prey Drive Overriding Commands

Reinforce obedience in high-excitement situations and never reward disobedience

Maintaining Skills in the Off-Season

Keeping your dog's hunting skills sharp year-round is another challenge. Try:

Regular scent work exercises
Mock hunts in different environments
Obedience training and physical conditioning
Field trials or competitions

Health and Nutrition for Your Hunting Rat Terrier

No doubt a healthy dog is a better hunter. Keep your dog in top condition with these Rat Terrier training tips:

Provide a high-quality diet formulated for active dogs
Maintain a consistent exercise routine
Schedule regular veterinary check-ups
Keep vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date

Pro Tip: “A well-balanced diet rich in protein and healthy fats will fuel your Rat Terrier's high energy needs during hunts,” recommends Dr. Emily Chen, DVM, a veterinarian specializing in sporting dogs.

Ethical Considerations in Hunting Dog Training

When learning how to train a Rat Terrier, keep these ethical considerations in mind:

Always prioritize your dog's safety and well-being
Respect wildlife and follow local hunting regulations
Train using humane methods that build a positive relationship with your dog
Be mindful of your impact on the environment during training and hunts

Final Thoughts

Since every dog is unique, if you want to develop a skilled and reliable hunting companion in your Rat Terrier, then you’ve to respect your dog's unique personality.

With patience, dedication, and the right techniques, you and your Rat Terrier will be well-equipped for successful and enjoyable hunting adventures.