Hello again :-)

Need advice on lifting new rats out of cage. So, I just got these guys on Friday and both guys come to see me for treats. I've lifted one out for first time tonight and I'm not sure if I should be forcing them out or letting them come out in their own time? What should I do? Thanks in advance guys :-)

It's really a question of preference. Some people prefer the slowly, slowly approach and like to entice the rats out with treats like yoghurt on a spoon. This is trust training. Others prefer a more forced approach, where they take the rats out and hold them consistently for over 20 minutes or so. This is forced socialisation. In the beginning, I preferred to take my girls out, plonk them on my lap in a pouch or blanket and handle, play with and treat them for hours at a time. If you choose the latter, you will have very social rats very quickly.

If your rats are young, they will be naturally a little skittish and pingy. Don't mistake this for fear. They really are just getting to grips with the world. Eventually, they will grow in confidence and begin to explore everything. This is when the fun starts and you will find yourself rescuing them from the top of bookcases, rooting them out of your bin and discovering them inside your cushions ( yes, Hillary and Peig, I am referring to you!). I really like to roll down my sleeves, pop on my rat pants, a big hoodie and let them crawl everywhere for whole evenings at a time while I read, clean, etc.

Here are a few guides:

Taming: http://www.fancyratsforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=41
Taming: http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?39776-Timid-or-Aggressive-Rat-Trust-Training
Immersion: http://www.ratforum.com/showthread.php?67442-Immersion-Training-The-Guide

I like immersion best. If your rats are from a breeder, they will love you in no time. My first three were from a pet shop (i.e. rodent mill) and took their time in deciding to hang out happily with me. My other two are from an accidental litter and they were all over me from day one. Different rats have slightly different needs in terms of trust training, patience and persistence, largely based on their origins.

Good Luck!

Thank you, find those very helpful. Mine are from a pet store in n.ireland. I think I'm going to try and let them do it their own time as one of them is coming further out of the cage towards my lap. They like licking some yoghurt off my hands. :-)

:-) :-) little update. Well so happy, both boys came onto lap for treats, still very attached to cage and they let me stroke them too. I've been sat at their cage with them for the past 2 hr 30 mins and same 2 nights before. Hopefully my patience will pay off, looks good though?

Sounds like you're doing the right things!

I tend only to use forced socialisation with really tough cases, especially if they are urgent... but these days I've little need, we only have breeder rats here really (so it's just the occasional rescue that needs special treatment).

I do think it's very important to get confident with picking them up properly though, not just letting them crawl onto you - as this can result in some nasty scratches and the possibility of them panicking and shooting off. You need to be able to pick them up, and get a firm grip around their bodies I should do a little demo video I suppose

xx

Yes a demo video would be great! :-) I feel fairly relaxed with them and when they come out more I think I'll be OK lifting them. I'm getting a larger cage for them on Wednesday, any tips for transferring them to new cage to lessen any stress giving I've just had them a few days? :-) x

I don't think you need to worry, they'll likely be fine just put in the new cage - but if you are concerned, you can always just put them in the new cage for an hour or so for playtime, and gradually increase? I would just put them in and leave them for a few hours to get used to it though, personally Put their toys and artefacts in the cage with them too, as that'll help them settle

xx

:-) I will just put them in then. I'm going to attempt to upload a pic! Wish me luck lol x