As with any pet, the first rule is to be firm and consistent with training, and remember that rewards generally work better than punishment.
Reward your annelid when it behaves well. Fill up the bathtub with damp (not wet) newspaper and coffee grounds for your annelid to explore. They love it!
Express your displeasure as soon as possible when your annelid misbehaves so that it connects its actions with your disapproval.
Do not yell at your annelid as they cannot hear. Stomp your feet instead. In severe cases of disobedience, keep a salt shaker nearby.
If your annelid leaves castings about the house, lock your pet in a brightly lit room for 10-15 minutes after rubbing your annelid’s nose in it. Dispose of the castings in the garden. Once your pet makes the connection between in-house castings and bright light, the number of “accidents” should diminish.
When your annelid learns to moosh at the door to go out to leave castings, reward it when it returns by allowing it to explore any dark damp space, like that puddle next to the sump drain in the basement.
Above all, be patient. Properly trained and cared for, your annelid should live 10 years or more; otherwise you’ll find it dead and dried up on the sidewalk and all the love and affection will be gone. Enjoy!
[Top image found here.]
Tags: annelids, caring for, housebreaking, pet, training
Monday, 12 April 2010 at 6:42 AM |
And if all else fails you can take it fishing. [don’t tell PETA I said that!]
Monday, 12 April 2010 at 2:55 PM |
Leeuna– Bring a big honkin’ bait bucket.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010 at 2:37 AM |
I think the Pet Shop ripped you off. That’s not an Annelid it’s just a worm!!!
But it sure is great advice on housetraining worms too.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010 at 10:57 AM |
Tony– Ooh. So THAT’S what Leeuna was talking about. I feel so used…
Saturday, 17 April 2010 at 4:09 PM |
Damn, and I thought my leaky basement would have been enough reward.
Sunday, 18 April 2010 at 2:23 PM |
cbull– Why should you hog all the fun? Get a worm!
Monday, 7 June 2010 at 5:24 AM |
And I was just about to go for lunch. Apparently this is some slimy gooey karma for the tale I told at lunch yesterday.
Monday, 7 June 2010 at 11:04 AM |
epic– So you’re gonna leave us hanging? Spill it!
P.S. I forgot to tell you congrats on your betrothal! May all your troubles be little ones and all your little ones be trouble. =)