When an EEP doesn't stop the nibbling

[dragonli]

Ok, I think I'm on my third week with Musashi and Cojiro (Musashi now has the nickname "Extreme Sashi" for his constant needing to climb around the rim of the aquarium but avoid me at all costs. I've put up foam on the floor in case he gets too extreme!) Sashi is still horribly timid, but will climb down the exit ladder for a treat...and only a treat. He will attempt to come down while I'm not in the room as I've caught him halfway down the ladder when i come back. I talk to and attempt to gain their trust every day, but if I turn my head or move an elbow while they're near, they run and hide like mad (I think Cojiro just does it cuz Sashi does.) I still haven't gotten them out of the cage and have had to clean around them.

So I tried to be a bit daring last night and put a few treats in my hand. Yogies went well, although Sashi isn't very gentle with his teeth when he's all hyped up. I know  it's accidental though. But when I tried a banana chip or piece of dog biscuit, Coji ignored it and tried to nibble my hand (Sashi's done that before too.) Didn't hurt, but I don't want him to get used to that (did I mention no one ever handled them at the pet store and labeled them "biters"?) I tried the EEP thing, in different pitches and tones, but I might as well have been singing the national anthem. "No" doesn't register, and I've had to pull my hand away just in case they think I have a hard shell and chewy center. Is there any other way to discourage improper behavior? I know with gerbils they say to blow on them, but will that work for ratties?

They're so cute, I wish I could finally hold one. I'll even settle for sitting on my knee (I got two paws so far and a nibble at my pants. Oy vey...) I've read the trust sheet and did the yogurt thing. Been doing that actually. But as soon as getting near me is required, I have unhappy ratties!

BTW Sashi started freaking out yesterday. He suddenly looked like he was gonna hurl (I know they can't do that), just heaving over and over. Then he'd sneeze, scratch, heave, sneeze scratch, run around like a nut, heave, sneeze...you get the picture. I didn't give him any treats yet and he was fine before. just came on suddenly. Was he just being weird or is that a cause for concern? Beyond everything else he acted normal.

[mantricentity]

I can't help you much but I know that I always wash my hands before I play with my rat because she will nibble on my fingers if I was touching any food before I hold her. So i think washing your hands might help. I also sit by my rats cage an talk to her so she gets use to me being around and making noise. It seems to help, she stopped nipping at me (I just got her a few days ago). Well good luck with your rats.

[dragonli]

scrubbed the hands too. even tried using different types of soap! ack! *sigh* oh well. thanks anyway.

[ckhs]

I can't help you much but I know that I always wash my hands before I play with my rat because she will nibble on my fingers if I was touching any food before I hold her. So i think washing your hands might help. I also sit by my rats cage an talk to her so she gets use to me being around and making noise. It seems to help, she stopped nipping at me (I just got her a few days ago). Well good luck with your rats.

       Do you have more then the one rat? If not you might really want to consider a friend for her,they do soooooooo much better with some company...they really need it.
ckhs

[dragonli]

Yepper. He's got his old buddy (perhaps brother?) from the pet shop. It's never really aggressive. I know they're just tasting (or missing the mark like Sashi) but I want to discourage it all the same.

[Marybelle]

I've found with my hairless, who also tend to miss the mark a bit, if I wiggle my fingers, so he gets the idea that they're not edible, instead of yanking them away, it seems to sink in a little better.   I just sort of move the finger and tell him "That's not edible."  Don't know if the words help, but he does seem to be a little more careful now when he's going for treats.

[mantricentity]

Have you tried bitter apple (or the sprays that yo put on stuff yo udon't want them chewing on, I hope someone can help you more with this.
Oh ckhs, don't worry my rat is having babies and I plan on keeping one or two, but for now whe gets to play with everyone in my floor (I live in a door) and in about a week she'll have a litter of babies too. I'm also considering bringing her to play with on of my friends rats, but I'm not sure because she is so close to having babies. Thank you for the concern though.

[Yresim]

There are numerous ways to deal with nibbling rats.  When you are trust-training, however, the options are limited.

If you are washing your hands before playing with them, make sure to use a non-scented soap and rub your hands on your belly or back afterwards.  This is to make sure that your hands smell like "you".  

During trust training, the only really safe way is to wiggle your fingers slightly and squeal loudly.  Try getting louder, or changing pitch.  The noise you make should be such that they would look up even if they weren't trying to eat your fingers.  

My normal method doesn't work when you're working on building trust.