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4 Posts
Hi,
I have adopted 2 young male rats, now 9 weeks old, and they have been with me for almost a month.
Even if the breeder told me that they were handled daily, they would not allow me to pick them up, or even touch them without jumping out in fear. I tried once, didnt force anything and I started the trust training.
They started to come to me to pick up treats, coming onto my hand, small steps.
After a week or two, I set up a free roaming area, with their cage inside open, for them to come and go as they wish. I stay there with them the whole evening every day. I am the giant treat distributor in the corner, and they do come to me for some baby food on a spoon. They come on my hand, but that's about it, no touching. If I try, it feels like I am undoing a whole week of work.
As time passes by, I am getting more and more worried. For example they have their first vet appointement next monday, and i wish they would be ok about being picked up, everything would be a lot less stressful for them.
I fear that I am doing something wrong, and that the more time it takes the less likely they will be tamed.
I am desperate for reassurance or guidance.
I have adopted 2 young male rats, now 9 weeks old, and they have been with me for almost a month.
Even if the breeder told me that they were handled daily, they would not allow me to pick them up, or even touch them without jumping out in fear. I tried once, didnt force anything and I started the trust training.
They started to come to me to pick up treats, coming onto my hand, small steps.
After a week or two, I set up a free roaming area, with their cage inside open, for them to come and go as they wish. I stay there with them the whole evening every day. I am the giant treat distributor in the corner, and they do come to me for some baby food on a spoon. They come on my hand, but that's about it, no touching. If I try, it feels like I am undoing a whole week of work.
As time passes by, I am getting more and more worried. For example they have their first vet appointement next monday, and i wish they would be ok about being picked up, everything would be a lot less stressful for them.
I fear that I am doing something wrong, and that the more time it takes the less likely they will be tamed.
I am desperate for reassurance or guidance.