Yes, chipmunks can also be pets. Probably not your first choice, but they’re so small, cute, and adorable that you’ll soon change your mind. Apart from their natural antics, they can also be trained to do more tricks! It is best to teach a chipmunk tricks while it is still very young. Older chipmunks can be difficult to train as they might have already become set in their ways.
- Provide your pet chipmunk with a happy environment. It is easier to train chipmunks that are happy and healthy. Keep your chipmunk well fed and healthy. Chipmunk toys such as a wheel and a tree branch will help it get a lot of exercise. It can run around and climb as much as it wants, especially if you would rather keep it indoors. To help you and your pet chipmunk get comfortable with each other, try to sit very quietly near its cage and talk to it in a soft voice. Do this everyday and it will get accustomed to your presence.
- Choose a proper training place. It should be somewhere with ample space and where it can be quiet and safe. There should be no expensive furniture to worry about, or hazardous electrical appliances lying around, and most importantly other pets, especially dogs and cats that can be over-excited.
- Teach your chipmunk tricks. There are two tricks that you can teach your chipmunk. One is to teach it how to feed from your hand, and the other is to respond to a whistle call.
- Train your pet how to feed from your hand. For this trick, simply place some food, such as peanuts, in your hand. Gently and slowly feed your pet while it is still in its cage. Do this everyday until you notice that your pet is neither shy nor wary when approaching you. Next, take your pet out of the cage and place it on a table. Place food in your hand and slowly offer it, laying it still on the table. Do this until it gets used to being fed in an open space.
- Train your pet to come when called. This second trick requires your pet to master the first one before it can be taught. This is because you will be using food as part of the training. Again, for faster results, it is best to do the training on a set schedule daily. Give a short whistle (your tune of choice) every time you offer your treat-filled hand to feed. After two to three days, try standing further away, increasing the distance every few days or so. Whistle until it comes to you. Eventually, you can train your pet to respond to other tunes, or even when you call it by its name!
- Remember to approach your pet chipmunk slowly. Sudden movements will simply startle your pet and this will make it more wary of human contact. Avoid grabbing it by the tail as this part of its anatomy is quite fragile. Never disturb a sleeping chipmunk, because it might bite. If you need to train your pet, make sure you set a schedule at a time it is wide awake and eager to learn.