Trust training

[sunshine9]

I have 3 girls who are between the ages of 7-9months.  They came from a pet shop where they didn't get so much handling.  I have had them for 5-6months.  I didn't get them at the same time.  

Plus I have a new baby who is about 5 weeks!  Right now she is in quarantine all by herself.  She is so sweet.  I have been taking her out every night so to get some socialization and I am hoping this will help her to not be shy with me!

But for the other 3, I am having trouble getting them use to me!  Does anyone have any good tips on getting them to trust me more!  They are so scared when they are out of the cage that they won't take treats!!  Unfortunately my apartment cannot be free range during playtime for them but I have a Grrreat Wall for a play pen for them.  I often will sit in it and let them crawl around and on me.

I have read articles about trust training but I am looking to the experienced people for advice!

Thanks!

Sorry its so long!!

[Dimi]

Have you tried giving them treats by hand while the are still in the cage? This is the method I'm using and there is slowly but surely progress.

[1happybooker]

Dimi: You live right north of me!! I live in Spring. Where did you get your rats from? I'm curious since I couldn't find any local breeders & ended up going to a pet shop. You can email me at <happybooker1@hotmail.com>.

[Rose]

This is based on my experience with the one relatively unsocialized rat that I really had to work with.  And she was more needy than your three, that have each other.

I kept her in the cage and handled her in stages to desensitize her to the new situation:

Got her accustomed to my fingers and hand in her cage.

Got her to associate petting with pleasure, and my presence with relief from boredom before letting her have outside cage time.  Because she was in quarantine, I was her only social outlet for three weeks.  

Found her favorite places (shoulders and neck) and massaged her there.  She finally relaxed enough to brux.  

This was in addition to the food reward thing.  Try eating some nice smelling dessert while they are out.  Instant best friends!