Hi. I'm new here, and I have a problem I'd like to get some advise on, concering one of my rats. This might get long, but I hope someoone will read it 
Dexter is a 5 month old albino, and he is having some issues. First thing is that he is very scared of other rats. Older and bigger rats at least.
I got Dexter when he was 6 weeks old, he had been living alone for two weeks after his brothers were sold. I got him and introduced him two my other two rats, who were both 1 year old. My 2 other rats behaved fine, but Dexter was very scared of them. He would scream at them and run away. I thought after some time, he'd see that other rats werent so bad. So I got him a friend, Jack who is two weeks younger than Dexter. Dexter went along well with Jack, but it was clear that Dexter wanted to be the alfa. After a couple of weeks with the two young ones living an a smaller cage, I stated having intros between the two younger and the two older. (At this time I had already had several intros between Jack and the two other, which went very well).
There was no change in Dexters behaviour. He was still as scared of the two bigger ones as before, and no matter how many intros I had, he would always scream and run away form them. Trying to get as far away as possible. At this time I also noticed a problem with one of the older rats, Pippin the alfa. He was getting very agressive, so I decided to have him neutered (He had had some issues for the past 5-6 months) He got neutered in April, and before this I had to let him live alone for a few weeks cause he was bullying everyone.
When Pippin lived away form the three other, I noticed that Dexter wasn't so scared of the other big rat anymore. And slowly he became calmer around him, so Dexter, Jack and the other big rat (named Swarley) moved in together. I also noticed that after Dexter stopped being scared of Swarley, he would throw Swarley on his back and dominate him. But when Swarley would try to "get" Dexter back, Dexter would scream and run away. Dexter will never let a rat put him on his back, and he will be pretty rough with Jack whiel they play.
When Pippin had healed form the neutering, he moved back in with the others (after a few intros) and then the probelms started all over again. Even though Pippin is so sweet and kind now, Dexter is still very scared of him. Dexter screams in Pippins face wheever he comes near, he won't let Pippin smell him or sleep in the same bed. He has also stopped beiong social with Swarley, and he only wants to espace the cage. Dexter mostly sleeps alone, or sometimes with Jack if Jack isn't sleeping with the two others.
Deter also has some other issues. He is very jumpy and nervous. He doens't like to be held (only likes to climb on me to get away from the others). I think this may be cause he's pink eyed and I know he can't see very well. He has never bit me, but he often screams or runs away of I try to pick him up. He doesn't want me to pet him, he never calms down on my lap or on my shoulders. His body is very stiff whe I pick him up, he doesn't seem comfortable at all.
I've worked with him alot these 3 months that I've had him, and its so frustrating to see no progress.. I just want my rast to live happily together.. Pippin, Swarley and Jack are all kind and sweet rats, who like to play and sleep together, Dexter is now an outsider..
Anyone got some advice as what to do? Should I have him neutered, should I wait and see, should I find him a new home?
This whole situation is so frustrating and sad.
Dexter is a 5 month old albino, and he is having some issues. First thing is that he is very scared of other rats. Older and bigger rats at least.
I got Dexter when he was 6 weeks old, he had been living alone for two weeks after his brothers were sold. I got him and introduced him two my other two rats, who were both 1 year old. My 2 other rats behaved fine, but Dexter was very scared of them. He would scream at them and run away. I thought after some time, he'd see that other rats werent so bad. So I got him a friend, Jack who is two weeks younger than Dexter. Dexter went along well with Jack, but it was clear that Dexter wanted to be the alfa. After a couple of weeks with the two young ones living an a smaller cage, I stated having intros between the two younger and the two older. (At this time I had already had several intros between Jack and the two other, which went very well).
There was no change in Dexters behaviour. He was still as scared of the two bigger ones as before, and no matter how many intros I had, he would always scream and run away form them. Trying to get as far away as possible. At this time I also noticed a problem with one of the older rats, Pippin the alfa. He was getting very agressive, so I decided to have him neutered (He had had some issues for the past 5-6 months) He got neutered in April, and before this I had to let him live alone for a few weeks cause he was bullying everyone.
When Pippin lived away form the three other, I noticed that Dexter wasn't so scared of the other big rat anymore. And slowly he became calmer around him, so Dexter, Jack and the other big rat (named Swarley) moved in together. I also noticed that after Dexter stopped being scared of Swarley, he would throw Swarley on his back and dominate him. But when Swarley would try to "get" Dexter back, Dexter would scream and run away. Dexter will never let a rat put him on his back, and he will be pretty rough with Jack whiel they play.
When Pippin had healed form the neutering, he moved back in with the others (after a few intros) and then the probelms started all over again. Even though Pippin is so sweet and kind now, Dexter is still very scared of him. Dexter screams in Pippins face wheever he comes near, he won't let Pippin smell him or sleep in the same bed. He has also stopped beiong social with Swarley, and he only wants to espace the cage. Dexter mostly sleeps alone, or sometimes with Jack if Jack isn't sleeping with the two others.
Deter also has some other issues. He is very jumpy and nervous. He doens't like to be held (only likes to climb on me to get away from the others). I think this may be cause he's pink eyed and I know he can't see very well. He has never bit me, but he often screams or runs away of I try to pick him up. He doesn't want me to pet him, he never calms down on my lap or on my shoulders. His body is very stiff whe I pick him up, he doesn't seem comfortable at all.
I've worked with him alot these 3 months that I've had him, and its so frustrating to see no progress.. I just want my rast to live happily together.. Pippin, Swarley and Jack are all kind and sweet rats, who like to play and sleep together, Dexter is now an outsider..
Anyone got some advice as what to do? Should I have him neutered, should I wait and see, should I find him a new home?
This whole situation is so frustrating and sad.
