Forced Socialization

[ithinkican]

After my 3rd bad bite, I've decided to try forced socialization with my girls. I've read about it on different forums and websites, but have a couple questions. At this point, being bare-handed is out of the question. Emma really only nips, but Sarah bites hard- even when I'm trying to pick up Emma! I found a pair of gardening gloves that offer protection, but it is hard to get a grip while wearing gloves. I can't use the cotton ones, as Sarah tries to pull them off my hand (taking my fingers with her!). They will both take treats from my bare palm without biting me- as long as I don't try to pet or pick one up. What is the best way, using gloves, to pick them up? Through the gloves I can't feel really well and I don't want to hurt them.

[ithinkican]

Or maybe trust training would be better? Any advice is welcome.

[Lise]

I like forced socialization for young rats.  Are your rats babies, or unhandled adults?

As for picking them up... just scooping them up swiftly by sliding one hand underneath of the rat is usually the best way.  You could try coaxing them into a bag of some sort though... and then lifting the bag up and holding the bag on you for 15 mins to start off with.

Do they bite when you try to pick them up if they are outside of the cage?  Or only if they are inside of the cage?

[ratlets]

I would always trick my Bandit into a box or hammock and take her out that way.  I would then put her in my lap, out of whatever she was in, and pet her/keep my hands on her for 20+ minutes at a time. Worked like a charm.

I wouldn't keep the gloves on during the process... that would get them used to your gloves, not your hands.

[ithinkican]

I'm not sure of their age. Their previous owner had them for a month, and got them at a pet store as babies. I'm guessing around 4mo. I have only tried picking them up while in the cage. Their cage sits on the dresser, so I think I'll start leaving the door open so they can come out onto the dresser. I don't want to use gloves, but as Sarah will turn and bite me when I try to pick her up I'm a bit concerned. Today she bit me while trying to pick up Emma! I'll try letting them out of the cage- everything you all have suggested thus far. I'll give it a go without gloves again. They want to be friendly, I think. They will take treats from my hand and are eager for a treat when I come near the cage. Their former owner never handled them- she was afraid of being bit.

[Carlito]

"I would then put her in my lap, out of whatever she was in, and pet her/keep my hands on her for 20+ minutes at a time. Worked like a charm."


How would one go about this if the rats are always on the move and hate being picked up?  This is the situation mine are in, i tried a blanket over my lap, putting them on that.  They just ran off though and they evade being picked up, or if i do manage it they squirm away >.<  Mine are not used to human contact (7 months spent in an animal welfare shelter), had them for 4 weeks now but they still don't like to be touched.

[ratlets]

If Bandit refused to be still, I put her inside my shirt. LOL.  I don't know if you're able to do that, but my scaredy-rays always find comfort in it.

Forced socialization requires you to keep contact with the ratty.

[ithinkican]

My ratties are getting better . I just can't pick them up without risking bodily injury, so I've been just giving them treats from my hand. They love getting treats, and have stopped nibbling at my fingers. I let them out of the cage for the first time a couple days ago, and they love it! I put my hand and forearm on the dresser where they are running around and they'll come sniff, but not nibble or bite. This weekend mabe I'll try to pet them- and if that goes well I'll try to pick one up next weekend.

[OldsGal]

Are you giving them treats that they can take from you and run away and eat them?  Stop doing that and switch to spoon feeding them.  Use something like baby food or yougurt on a spoon.  Something that forces them to sit and eat near you.  That will help build up some trust.  If you truly have an aggressive rat then sorry to tell you but gardening gloves won't cut the mustard.  I had leather gardening gloves and my truly aggressive girl bit right through them and I had a bloody mess inside the gloves.  You have to get welders gloves or butchers gloves to prevent getting bit.  If she is just scared and not truly aggressive then another option that I find works well is to take a thick towel or hammock and throw it over the top of the rat being sure to cover the eyes and pick them up that way. Quickly bring them close to your body so they are not dangling and scared. 

Put on a t shirt and then a sweatshirt over the top of that.  Or with summer coming put on a pair of overalls/jumper and shove the rat down between the t shirt and sweatshirt or jumper.  Sit and watch a movie like this.  That will socialize them to your smell and eventually they won't be nearly so afraid of you.

Don't pussy foot around with picking them up.  Go at them with confidence.  Rats are just like any other animal on this planet.  They can sense fear and they can smell weakness.  If you go in there fearing them they will take full advantage of it and they will know that they are in control. 

Staci