why my rat is so scared

Question
I have two female rats that live together. One is very nice and loves to be held by me. But the other one is always afraid of me and when ever I hold her she tries to jump out of my hands and into the cage. I have a friend and she also has two pet rats she said that one of her rats are very nice and aren't afraid but the other one is so scared whenever she picks her up. I don't know what else to do to make the other rat be more exited to be picked up! I have tried many things to get her to have fun when she is getting held like I held her every day I hold her and when she is good I give her a treat! Then I tried having my friend bring over her rats thinking that it might calm my rat down but it didn't! I really need help my rat has been like this for a while and I would really like to solve this quickly!!!

Answer
Hi Allyson

First of all, how old is your rat and how long have you had them and where did you get them from?  Sometimes, petstore rats are not socialized properly and are always very scared of their new keeper, sometimes forever, if the approach was never right. What I mean by approach is, often the rat owner will be so excited to hold the rat they force the rat to be held, scooping it from their cage and really making her scared, sometimes for life if it isnt corrected. Your rat fears you because she doesnt trust you. What you need to do is to leave her be for now and do not try to pick her up       or remove her from the cage unless it is to take her to the vet of course or for other reasons like that. During play time, let her come out on her own. Open the cage door and leave her be. This may take several attempts before she comes out on her own, but when she does, still, do NOT try to hold her or pick her up. Allow her to come to you.Again, this will take several attempts. After each time she comes out on her own, reward her with a treat reserved ONLY for these times. A yogi treat or a cheerio or something she never gets so she will realize that she will be rewarded with this special treat each time. Rats learn from memory this way.
Once she starts feeling comfortable coming out on her own, she will start to see what you are all about. Rats do love people once they trust us and this is what its all about. Your other rat has a totally different personality so it is easier for her to trust people sooner, so keep in mind no rat is the same in that regard.
You can reward her again after she starts to come to you and climb on your lap etc....
She will begin to associate you with good things and realize you mean no harm to her. During her time out, keep things calm and quiet and speak softly to her, moving slowly so you do not startle her. Shy rats startle easy and again may be a set back for a while if she associates you with a loud noise and fast sudden movement that scares her. Patience is a MUST when trust training your rat.

Hope this helps. Feel free to contact me for further questions should they come up.


Sandra Todd