Earl is getting big!

[MROO]

I've trained him to come when cslled and to grab his carrots with his "hands" instead of just snatching with his mouth. Yes he is very smart. Plan to teach him more soon.

An old friend of mine kept rats for years - and she could have run a circus for them. They were SO well trained - ad SO much fun to watch. With the first rat-ling (as we called them,) her mom was terrified! Whenever Mama came into the room, a whispered (had to be whispered!) "Here comes Mom-Mom" would send the little guy running from her shoulder into her pocket. That was cute enough, but then he would put his little paws on the edge of the pocket and peek his little head out until she gave him the "All Clear." He would then return to his favorite shoulder perch and life would go on. I wish we had video, but we were so young that I'm not sure we even had it! Still, I'll see that little nose twitching over paw=tips forever. What a picture!

 

[mountainbunny]

Maybe you should teach him to jump through a little hoop, or to fetch. Heck, see if you can teach him to paint- get some nontoxic paints, or food coloring, and see if you can communicate "dab and wipe your paws on this" somehow. Is he cool enough with handling for you to physically guide him?
Training rats is good for them, it's enrichment! Keeps their little brains entertained.

I'm planning on teaching him some of the tricks you mentioned. Fetch would be a fun one! Yes he is very cool with being handled and loves being petted do teaching him to paint is a good/fun idea! Thanks.... I will definitely have to try that out.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If you teach him to paint, I want pics.

 

[llombardo]

Absolutely love rats. I've had them before. I recommend them over hamsters and gerbils for kids.

 

[mountainbunny]

Absolutely love rats. I've had them before. I recommend them over hamsters and gerbils for kids.

Yes, they are much more docile than hampsters and gerbils and love human interaction.

 

[Fishkeeper]

They do! Downside is they need a lot more space and some cagemates. Unfortunately, all three species are very prone to being kept in tiny, sparse cages. The terrestrial equivalent of betta fish.

 

[AnimalGeek23]

Awwww!