Trust training?

[odduckOasis]

I've read around ways of helping your rat trust you and all that. However, I sorta worry, because I've tried some things with my older boy, and he just will not sit still. He will not let me pick him up, you have to kind of grab him and by doing so, of course, he freaks out. My husband tries to pick him up and he does the 'flight' thing and I try to tell my hubby to just let him be and not force it. I don't think the 'down the sweatshirt' will work really yet, since he doesn't like to be in my sweatshirt pocket and any time he's inside my shirt he just tries to get out and ends up scratching me up (even with a t-shirt on). He'll perch on my shoulder a bit, but usually he's just trying to find a way down and off of me. I try to just stand there with him on my shoulder, cuz if I sit down, he tries to escape by climbing down my arm.

I'm assuming he'll probably take some time, but any good advice on how to get him comfortable with me picking him up without him freaking out every time or running away?

I'm just assuming he didn't get enough attention as a pup, so he's not quite 'comfy' with humans completely yet.

But some advice on good trust training would be appreciated all the same. ^.^

 

[Spork]

Have you tried throwing a handful of treats down your shirt when you put him in there?

 

[rattyattie_14]

I read that for rats that are having a hard time trusting people that you should earn their trust with food. Nothing big but something like baby food or applesauce. Just a little dab so that they come back for more. They will eventually associate you with food and be excited to see you.
Just start out giving them a few drops in their cage where they are comfortable and slowly make them work for it. Example: after he gets used to recieving treats inside the cage hold the treat at the door of the cage and make him come to you. Then start making him come closer and closer.
Food is always a way to a rats love!

 

[Cinderwolf]

I read that for rats that are having a hard time trusting people that you should earn their trust with food. Nothing big but something like baby food or applesauce. Just a little dab so that they come back for more. They will eventually associate you with food and be excited to see you.
Just start out giving them a few drops in their cage where they are comfortable and slowly make them work for it. Example: after he gets used to recieving treats inside the cage hold the treat at the door of the cage and make him come to you. Then start making him come closer and closer.
Food is always a way to a rats love!

Agree'd. Sit with a little bit of yummy food on your finger ( like yogurt or jam or watered down peanut butter) just outside his cage door and let him come to you. Don't use cheerios or a hard food because thne he can grab it and run. With the liquidy food, he is forced to sit there and lick it off.

 

[odduckOasis]

I hadn't put food in my sweatshirt, though I tried to put him in my sweatshirt front pocket and put some food in there, he just ignored it and ran out. haha.

Though, today, he got into the habit of climbing into my sweatshirt sleeve. I thought that was a good sign. He's not up to letting me pick him up really still, but I suppose that'll still come with more handling and further trust. I'll have to try the applesauce, I wondered about that. Thanks. =3

 

[jorats]

Keep working at it, but do keep in mind that some rats are just like that, skittish and don't like being picked up. I have a couple like that.

 

[hprats]

When I brought my first two young boys home, they were just like that. I read this procedure for getting them used to handling somewhere on the 'net, and it was really helpful.
I can't find where I read these steps, so I'm paraphrasing now...and yah, it just worked for my two boys...maybe someone more experienced can comment on this?

1. Pick up your rat (even if they don't want you to) and put them right back down and give them a tiny treat. Repeat this at least 10 times a day.
2. Put a bit of yogurt or other yummy wet food on your finger. Pick up your rat and hold them while they lick it off. If they don't, keep trying step one and this step too. Just be firm and gentle and they'll get used to you, and learn to associate you with yummy treats!
3. Once they're pretty comfortable with you (mine still won't just sit with me, they still want to be exploring all the time...but they don't struggle when I pick them up or hold them, and they'll come to me to spend some time running on me), start some petting/scratching...and keep giving them treats/yummy food while you're holding them. Scratch them while they're eating too.

 

[odduckOasis]

That useful hprats, for sure. I'll have to try that. They're getting a little more use to me picking them up, but for the most part, they still are like O.O lol.

Thanks all! =3