Trust Training? Help Me With My Web Site

[OldsGal]

I want to add a page to my web site dedicated to information about trust training. Since most of the rats I adopt out to people may have a few issues in that dept. It is the nature of the rescue.

I have the typical ideas to put up there but thought I would ask for everyone to give me their favorite things to do for trust training! I want to give lots and lots of ideas for people so that they see that they have options and since I know that one thing that might work for one rat won't work for another.

Thanks everyone!

Staci

 

[Bronwyn]

Hmm...

1. Carrying them around in a hoodie or whatever makes them feel safe and secure.

2. No sudden loud sounds or movements.

3. Putting something on your fingers like yoghurt that they can lick off.

4. Just generally being really patient and spending as much time with them as you can.

You probably already have those but it's all I've needed to do.

 

[Dahlas]

Great suggestions Bronwyn...the new foster kids I have need socializing...they are very skittish. These are great things to tell their adoptive parents to do....Plus I will start doing it to.

 

[jorats]

What has always helped for me is the "down the shirt" trick.

I put on a tshirt and a sweatshirt over top. I put my scared rat in between the shirts. (this should not be done with an aggressive rat). I leave the rat in there for well over an hour and I do this several times a day. It really gets them bonded to your smell.

I also have a letter written by Vanessa how she gain the trust of a very scared rat. I could post that here, I'm sure she won't mind, anything for helping others and their rats.

The number one thing I would hope you would stress is a neuter, when it comes to rats of questionable behaviour.
Another important factor is letting these rats go to "experienced" homes only. Taking on an unfriendly rat when you are brand new at rat keeping could turn you off rats forever.

 

[OldsGal]

Oh no doubt Jo!

I screen my adopters and try to match them 100% to the best of my abilities to what I feel they are capable of handleing. I would never let a rat go to a home I didn't feel they were capable of handling.

But I do get a lot of rats in who are very nice rats they just are a bit scared and unsure of themselves and need a bit of patience. I would just like to have something to be able to point people to with guidance on these rats.

And most definately neuter is one of those things that I do push. Heck I have a whole page on my site dedicated to Eddie and it is titled...A case for neutering...Eddie's story.

Staci

 

[jorats]

But I do get a lot of rats in who are very nice rats they just are a bit scared and unsure of themselves and need a bit of patience. I would just like to have something to be able to point people to with guidance on these rats.


Staci

In that case, down the shirt trick works great!! But not sure if the people might be receptive to that. lol

 

[Dahlas]

I was wondering about the yogurt on the finger for them to lick.... I do that with my babies but do you think a new scared rat....even a baby might bite not knowing to lick.....or could you offer it on the back of your hand instead of your nice fleshy little finger tip?

 

[jorats]

I think what would be best is to offer on a spoon, then they get the idea that it's for licking then a couple of times with the spoon, you would try the finger.
That would be helpful for trust training.

 

[Dahlas]

Great idea............

 

[LA]

Mamarats black boy mistook my finger for food and he latched on pretty good. Hurt but he didn't break skin. But then I was giving a lab block so it's something to bite at. With something that is to be licked off I haven't had much trouble with rats. They do test bite but once they realize it's lick food they are good. But I don't know if I would hold that true for all rats.

 

[lilspaz68]

I am going to see what you have and think of what I do with skitty/nervous/aggrssive ratties.