[olympus]

Hi all,

I of my two boys, I have a siamese hooded called Moose.

We got him from a petshop here in Cape Town. All my other rats were obtained from a breeder, and in terms of their nature, they're all great. But Moose is very nervous. He often tries to get away from me at all costs, sometimes frantically. He's also the only one that tends to bite. He jumps at the slightest noise and is forever hiding away in the darkness.

besides simply spending more time with him, trying to get him more comfortable with us, what can I do?

 

[Vixie]

Forced socialization. Take him out and hold him, pet him, talk softly and all that for 20 minutes or more. Do it regularly and he should show improvement.

 

[olympus]

tx. will do

 

[Sparker]

I agree with Vixie. Whenever you are reading or watching TV, try putting her on your belly or lap. I will usually put on a second shirt or a sweat shirt, and put them between the layers.

She can get used to you and your smell, maybe even relax a little... and eventually figure out that you're not so bad.

It also helps to put her cage in an area that you're in often, but not chaotic. My Q cage is on my computer desk, for example.

 

[mopydream44]

you can also connect your cage to your bed or desk so he can venture out and visit you. This really helped with my petstore ratties.

 

[Stephanie]

I would save the forced socialization until after you have tried all other things. Take the cage onto a table and put out toys and blankets and hidey homes(igloos), then just sit at the table and let him come to you. Forced socializtion is great adn it works but I always think it is just to much of man handling for a rat to jump to first off. try opther things first. offering treats after you have put him back in the cage, making it a consistant time that you are taking him out and things like that.

 

[olympus]

will do. this weekend he was out quite a bit (except for the bit where I had to take my pregnant wife to hospital with food poisoning) and it seems that he is starting to relax. the rats have their own room (well.. that is until the baby arrives) and their own double bed to roam around on. I let them out and put towels and things on the bed for them to hide in etc etc etc. then i just sit there with them and interact. seems to be working. tx for the advice.