Reigning your rats in after a free range!

[purinpurin]

What are some ways you herd your rats together after free range is over?

So this is what happened with my rats, back when I still had them: I always left their cage door open so that they could free range in my room whenever they wanted. They spent 99% of their time outside their cage than inside (they only went back in to sleep, and to poop). I think this is mainly the reason why they mistakenly thought that my room = their playhouse.

Even when I slept, I left their cage door open, and all night long they'd bug me, tugging at my earlobes, tearing apart my hair, licking my face, crawling into my shirt/pyjama pants leg, etc., to try to get me to wake up. One day I decided that I'd had enough of their antics during the night and that I'd 'set' a specific free range time for them. I set this practice into motion, but they just wouldn't come when called!

I've tried treats, but they seemed to know that it was a bait, rather than a 'no-strings-attached' kind of treat. So what are some of the ways that you gather your rats after their free range is over? How about the tricky ones? My rats chewed a hole into the box spring of my bed (I got rid of the frame when I got rats), and they'd always run in there whenever they got the feeling that I was going to try to put them back in their cage.

 

[KatTheHippie]

Even though you said it doesn't work, try treats again, something ESPECIALLY yummy, and start off in the cage. Open up the doors, make a noise, or call that's easiest for you (I click my tongue and call "Rodents!") And then give each one a treat, while still making the noise. Do this every single time you give them a treat, and eventually, they'll associate the noise you're making with really, really good food, and will come running no matter where they are. This has been a lifesaver for me a good few times because Harlow likes to escape the playpen when I turn my back for a minute.

 

[jorats]

As a routine, my rats get veggies when they go back into the cage after their out time. They have out time at the same time almost everyday so they know the routine well. I have no trouble rounding them up because they look forward to their veggies.
It's all about creating a routine. And/or better yet, train them to come when called. I used to have rats who would come running to me when I called them. Those were the days when I had lots of time with them.

 

[lilspaz68]

get them used to a Happy Sound...for eg. buy a container of gerber puffs...shake it to get them to come to you, give them treats and let them wander off again...so they don't always associate it with going back. And as Jo said give them something yummy in their cage after Out Time.

Some of my rats know the sound of the lid coming off the puff's container. It will take time and you will need to scale back out time slowly...otherwise its a punishment from what they are used to.

 

[Scythe]

Remus and Romulus do their own thing... They stay on the bed and sleep, so they're easy to catch.

Kurt, Logan and Percy come when called. If I tell them to come here, or lets go, etc, they come running to my hands or to my lap, etc. Pip is the only PITA, cause he likes to wedge himself into stuff under the cage.. but if I shake the treat jar and hold a leg out for him to climb out on, he usually comes out... Slowly, but he does, LOL.

 

[Petunia]

I've found a routine does help. I try to stick to similar out times each day but sometimes that's not possible
However, the things that we do each time and the things that I say to them never change and they understand what I'm saying and respond.

I always tell them it's time to go play when I'm taking them out, and I always tell them its' time to go home when I'm putting them back
Paige used to run and hide and try to stay out longer and I often let her because she was good and didn't get into any trouble by herself. Besides it was so damn cute to find her hiding in a pile of fleece with this imploring look on her face, no please I want to stay out just a little bit longer... :heart:

 

[temblabamomo]

Routine and treats are good. My boys definitely know the sound of the treat container.

As a rule, I never allow any unsocialized rat to free range. Playtime for them is the bed or couch until they know me and do not fear me. This way when they are allowed on The Floor, they know me we'll enough not to run when I come to pick them up. I don't have much luck with them coming when called, but I'm familiar with all of their favorite places, and since they have all been socialized its no problem to find them in a favorite spot, scoop them up and get them in the cage.

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

My girls seem to respond to a sound that means end of play time, my cell phone alarm seemed to do it lol ...

 

[jennifervb]

What are some ways you herd your rats together after free range is over?

So this is what happened with my rats, back when I still had them: I always left their cage door open so that they could free range in my room whenever they wanted. They spent 99% of their time outside their cage than inside (they only went back in to sleep, and to poop). I think this is mainly the reason why they mistakenly thought that my room = their playhouse.

Even when I slept, I left their cage door open, and all night long they'd bug me, tugging at my earlobes, tearing apart my hair, licking my face, crawling into my shirt/pyjama pants leg, etc., to try to get me to wake up. One day I decided that I'd had enough of their antics during the night and that I'd 'set' a specific free range time for them. I set this practice into motion, but they just wouldn't come when called!

I've tried treats, but they seemed to know that it was a bait, rather than a 'no-strings-attached' kind of treat. So what are some of the ways that you gather your rats after their free range is over? How about the tricky ones? My rats chewed a hole into the box spring of my bed (I got rid of the frame when I got rats), and they'd always run in there whenever they got the feeling that I was going to try to put them back in their cage.

lol.... don't you love it when pets are too smart to fool? :giggle:

Matching wits with my rats outdid the Rubix Cube any day of the week! :bunnydance: :cheeky:

 

[hprats]

I've tried treats, but they seemed to know that it was a bait, rather than a 'no-strings-attached' kind of treat. So what are some of the ways that you gather your rats after their free range is over? How about the tricky ones? My rats chewed a hole into the box spring of my bed (I got rid of the frame when I got rats), and they'd always run in there whenever they got the feeling that I was going to try to put them back in their cage.

My rats chewed a hole in the bottom of the couch and hid in the couch frame...it was all good until one time Peter got STUCK in one part of it, and I had to carefully cut him out. He came out all hot and was so eager to get into the cage and drink some water. It was when he was still growing.


But one thing I can thing is if they aren't able to get into the cage while they free range, when you come get them, they'll want to go back in so they can get some water and stuff. Neville used to be unable to climb back into the cage like the others, so when I'd come into the room after 1.5-2 hours, he'd run to me to be picked up and returned to the cage...I think it would depend on how long you wanted to let them free-range though.

My rats used to get much more free-range time, but now that it's summer, I don't want to let them run around in their room for hours and hours, because it doesn't have air conditioning. They don't even seem to mind at all though, maybe because they finally have full access to a double cage instead of having it split, and they just have more space per rat too, so they're fine just hanging out with me on the couch. But it's weird because they used to freak out for out time. So what I'm saying is, I think they adjust, as long as they're getting enough exercise, interaction with you, and stimulation over all.

 

[purinpurin]

thanks for the tips! and yeah I will try setting a routine for my future rats. :3