[AngelofGrace]

Hi guys, I could really use some advice. I've had my three rats for a couple days , and one of them, Maple, is extremely determined to escape the playpen every time I do free roam time with them. The first time she managed to wiggle out of the entrance where the cardboard crosses over 2 or 3 times, before I added a couple binder clips, but now she spends most of her time climbing up onto my shoulder to try and jump for the top, or digging or chewing at the bottom of the cardboard.

I've got toys and hides in the playpen, and I've tried engaging her with training and toys, but she spends most of her time just laser focused on getting out. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Ratty_123]

Hi guys, I could really use some advice. I've had my three rats for a couple days , and one of them, Maple, is extremely determined to escape the playpen every time I do free roam time with them. The first time she managed to wiggle out of the entrance where the cardboard crosses over 2 or 3 times, before I added a couple binder clips, but now she spends most of her time climbing up onto my shoulder to try and jump for the top, or digging or chewing at the bottom of the cardboard.

I've got toys and hides in the playpen, and I've tried engaging her with training and toys, but she spends most of her time just laser focused on getting out. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[-Lemon-]

I had exactly the same situation until I stopped using the playpen and just rat proofed the room. They still try to get to places where they shouldn't be so I still have to keep a close eye on them but they try escape SO much less. If you can't do this then maybe try making the playpen bigger or adding more hides as well as the things that have already been mentioned. Another thing you could try is using a metal or plastic playpen which is harder to get out of than a cardboard one. You could also try distracting her with food.

 

[mewpixel]

I think it's honestly just a rats natural curiosity and desire for mischief that causes it rather than anything wrong on your part those videos posted by ratty are really good resources, other than rat proofing a room instead, though I know that's not possible for a lot of people!

 

[AngelofGrace]

I think it's honestly just a rats natural curiosity and desire for mischief that causes it rather than anything wrong on your part those videos posted by ratty are really good resources, other than rat proofing a room instead, though I know that's not possible for a lot of people!

Thank you, that's kind of you to say. I've been working on shoulder to cage training for the last few days, but all three of them just love hanging out on my shoulders. So it feels like as soon as I get them in the playpen they hop up there, and I have to put them in the cage for a bit to reinforce the training, but as a result they're getting almost no free roam time. Feels like a lose lose situation.

 

[mewpixel]

Thank you, that's kind of you to say. I've been working on shoulder to cage training for the last few days, but all three of them just love hanging out on my shoulders. So it feels like as soon as I get them in the playpen they hop up there, and I have to put them in the cage for a bit to reinforce the training, but as a result they're getting almost no free roam time. Feels like a lose lose situation.

When I used to use a playpen, I ended up making a new one using taller panels, and as it was quite large I sat towards the middle. my rats get their whole room now, yet if I sit too close to the cupboard they use me to jump to it and climb the hanging clothes!

Honestly im used to it at this point, it's become just a grab them and tickle them and they scurry off xD (only for a few seconds before they playfully charge back!)

 

[-Lemon-]

Instead of shoulder-to-cage training, you could use something else like a carrier.

 

[AngelofGrace]

Instead of shoulder-to-cage training, you could use something else like a carrier.

Hmm, that's not a bad idea, actually. Thanks!