The main goal when bonding is to have your rats associate you with positive things. If they are uncomfortable with handling then take a step back, sit by the door of the cage with treats and allow them to come to you on their own terms. Wait until they are super confident in your presence before conditioning them to your touch.
Here are some things you can do:
If your rats are comfortable in your presence, you can do the following to condition them to your touch:
Once they are comfortable with handling:
Here are some things you can do:
- Throw treats into the cage as you pass it
- Put some kind of cloth that smell like you into the enclosure
- Sit by the cage and talk to them
- Reward them when they seem curious about you
- Give them a licking treat on your hand to force them to stay in close proximity to you
- Give them tiny bits of treats to have them continuously come back for more
If your rats are comfortable in your presence, you can do the following to condition them to your touch:
- Allow them to come to you then reward
- Touch gently then reward
- Once they are unafraid of the touch then stroke then reward
- etc.
Once they are comfortable with handling:
- Take them to a bathroom or bed
- Make sure there are no hiding places besides for a hoodie or blanket on you
- Allow them to explore