Gaining trust of super-freaky rat boy ...

[rhapsody]

I'm working on socializing my newest addition, but the smallest of baby steps that I'm taking with him (like standing next to the cage) are really stressing him out. I'm a little unsure how to proceed since I feel like I'm sending him to the verge of a heart attack just by being in the same room.

My Ferris Bueller (aka. Freaky Boy) is beyond petrified of humans. He was part of the very last batch of rats to be pulled from Glen's house ... several months after the hoarder's episode had been filmed. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but it appears that the rats born after the main rescue had very little contact with Glen. The initial mass of rats pulled absolutely adore human interaction - at the very least, I have to give the poor guy credit for doing an amazing job in socializing the hoard. It seems that Ferris and his group didn't have that benefit.

Just catching a whiff of my scent sends Ferris into paralysis - apparently, he believes that immobility equals invisibility. Rustling the treat bag brings all my kiddos to the door of the cage ... except him. Any sudden sound sends him diving for cover. He won't take the yummiest smelling treat from my hands, but waits until I've placed it down and have retreated across the room. Taking him out of the cage is easy since he's like a limp rag doll ... but then he starts popping out a bunch of fear poos. Makes trying to hold him a bit unpleasant, and the thought of using "down the shirt" method less than ideal. At the very least, he's associated his cage with safety, so he'll make a beeline for it if you give him a chance.

In any case, Ferris isn't aggressive at all - even though he's beyond scared of me, he'll let me pet him without a fuss ... but you can literally feel his little heart practically beating out of his chest. I'm hoping that his buddy Missy will help teach him that humans aren't that bad - quite honestly, I think she prefers the company of humans over other rats.

 

[Unepuce]

While reading this I was thinking that he needed down the shirt big time - then you mentioned why you were reluctant doing it. Still... I believe this is the only thing that would help him out of his shell in a reasonable timeframe. I'm ready to bet he would poop the first time, maybe the second, but would feel safe enough on the third not to. I really have a feeling that down the shirt really is what he needs... sorry...

Tyring to imagine the end result the first time... :sick2: :giggle:

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

I agree.
There's something about being next to warm skin and heart that calms them.
A nice pillow of ****s doesn't hurt either. :cheeky:

 

[Unepuce]

:laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:

 

[hopefloats]

The only time i have been bit by my boys was in the first few days home. I leave them alone till they adjust. I have found that to work better. I give them a few days then I start with treats near them, then onto from my hands.

 

[jorats]

I highly recommend doing the down the shirt trick. It's a must for him and it needs to be longer than 20 min. Which is usually the time when rats start to forget why they where scared to begin with. This needs to be done several times a day. Also, he needs to live with older stable rats to help him see what proper rat behavior with humans should be.

 

[M0onkist]

He'll also be able to hear your heartbeat in your shirt, something he can't hear from your hand - I know when my own anxiety was really bad, listening to a heartbeat was as good as taking a lot of Ativan, calmed me right down.

Also, maybe try putting a shirt you don't mind he shreds into his cage after you've worn it, to get him used to your scent (bonus, you can wear that shirt and not care if he dirties it!)

 

[jorats]

Also, maybe try putting a shirt you don't mind he shreds into his cage after you've worn it, to get him used to your scent (bonus, you can wear that shirt and not care if he dirties it!)

I always forget about that one for trust training and it's such a super good idea. I need to drill it in my head.
Actually, you can grab any cloth, sleep with it, and add it to the cage the next day. We sweat more when we sleep so it will absorb your scent faster that way.

 

[fenshae]

Depending how he does with other rats, it might help to give him some really friendly roommates, too. I think there's a certain degree of "social influence" that rats can have on each other, where they're like, "dude, it's ok, he's totally chill!"

That said, the best thing about rat poop is it's much tidier than other poop

I feel you, though. I'm going through something similar with Kelsey right now, except she also has no qualms about biting the heck out of me when she's had quite enough time being social.

 

[rhapsody]

Hehe, I have plenty of shirts that can be "sacrificed" - the only thing I'm not looking forward to is a ratty smeared in fear-poo ... gross. Will try the shirt-in-the-cage method first though.

And it looks like his buddy Missy is up to the task of showing him that I'm not all that scary. She's such a sucker for human attention, AND she just absolutely adores Ferris.

I agree.
A nice pillow of ****s doesn't hurt either. :cheeky:

*Grumbles* Regretfully I'm flat as a board. Nice thought though!