Still Don't Seem to Know Their Names!

Mon Feb 06, 2006 2:17 pm

Coco and Splinter still don't seem to know their names. I don't let them free range yet because of that. I'm still scared of letting them out and not being able to find them because they don't know their names. They don't come when called. Just ignore me. I'm still doing the bed thing because of this. Someone chewed a gaping hole in my bedsheet. I know they are rats and thats what rats do but I'm just about at my wits end here.

I saw the cardboard set for free ranging but I don't feel comfortable with that either because they are obviously chewers. Does anyone else have any other suggestions for me? Can I build something? Does anyone else have this problem? If so, what do you do with your ratties?

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Crystal...The Ratties..Cocoa & Splinter...The Doggies...Jack & Molly

Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:37 pm

All of my rats choose to ignore me. they know their names just about, and know the rustle of the treat bag.. Maybe that would work, call them and rustle a bag, get them used to it, and them getting a treat for returning, and then slowly just call their name, and give them a treat.. Hopefully that will start linking things in their minds.. Also, as I have quite a few, and no real decent rat proof area for them, (they all decide to run and hide and play chase when its time to come back in) I'm building an enclosure out of hardwood/ mdf so that they can't climb out of it.. I'm doing it so it can be flat packed, and filling it with things like a digging box, things to climb on and hide in.. that sort of thing, so that they get decent free range, rather than playing hide and seek with me on the bed so i don't lose them or have my room destroyed!! It has worked out quite cheap so far, just hinges and some wood. Make it high enough so they can't jump it.. and any old safe bits and bobs you can pick up from cheap stores.. I want them to have fun, but in their own space.. I am actually going to make a maze out of cardboard for them, like the hamster fort mazes you can buy, as i figured they'd just jump over the walls in the hamster one.. I go by the thought of if you think they won't like it, they probably will!!

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~Bee~
Scamps
Warrior
Hero
Maggie n Flo
The Bunch of Tiny Pinkies

RIP Poncho.. The best second hand rat there ever was Mr. Green

Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:46 pm

I've found that most rats *don't* learn their names. Usually they just respond to your voice or a certain sound, and only then if they feel like it.

How old are they? I usually start free ranging mine when they're about 3 months old- at that time, they've calmed down from their hyperactive baby stage and don't freak out and spook at every little sound.

Once they're past the baby stage. I'd say to try free ranging them in a single room. Just do it. Don't worry about them hiding and never coming out, because if they're used to you, and used to being handled they should be fine. They're *not* going to get lost somehwere, hide, and never come out like a hamster will. They just don't do that. Put them on the floor, then sit or lie on the floor and just stay there. Read a book, do whatever, just stay there and basically ignore them. You'll find that eventually, once they finish exploring, they'll come over to you, and climb on you, give you kisses, and all of that good stuff.

You'll just have to get over the fear that they're going to run away and hide. In eight years, I have never had that happen with a rat that hadn't come from an abuse situation or other unusual circumstances, and even then, it's very rare. Just give them a chance- you'll see, and then I'd be willing to bet that everything will be fine.

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--Brittany

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."