Lions84
Rattie
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| 09/14/2007 10:33 AM |
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In our family discussions about getting a Rat with the Cat we wondered how well it could adapt to our every changing schedule. We both work for a local Public School, Attend church on Sunday and Wed plus I work 1-2 sporting events per week during the fall. The cat seems to be fine but I am concerned about how a Rat would react to this type of environment. Any feed back would be appreciated. |
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Lucy's Colleen
Bratty Ratty
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| 09/14/2007 10:38 AM |
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| These dogs seem to be really adaptable to just about every situation. I think that as long as when the puppy is really young it can be let out for a potty break during the day it should do just fine. They say that for every month a puppy is old is how many hours it can be left alone. I would just highly suggest that if you do go ahead a get a puppy that you definitely crate train it for when you are not home. |
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Colleen
Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7797281@N05/ |
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cherylwordweaver
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 09/14/2007 6:49 PM |
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I agree with Colleen about the crate training and also want to add good solid training in general. That way, your well behaved ratty may be able to go with you to some of the events you do, such as outdoor ball games perhaps? Rats are very adaptable and love, love love being in the thick of things with their humans. But even if you can't be there a whole lot, make the time you are there very productive and full of love! Also try to find ways to give you rat some stimulation while you are out. I'm blocking on what that might be but let me think on it.
There are others who are very knowledgable and can help more than me!!
Good luck on your decission making!
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“Aloha- - -to learn what is not said, to see what cannot be seen, and to know the unknowable.” Queen Liliaokalani
Wordweaver
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tauney4
Alpha Feist
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| 09/19/2007 9:38 PM |
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 OK I HAVE A QUESTION YOU GUYS ALL TALK ABOUT CRATE TRAINGING YOUR RATTIE, AM I SUCH A BAD MOMMIE, CAUSE I DONT DO THAT AT ALL. I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT WITH ANY OF MY DOGS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFE. I JUST PUT THEM IN THE BATHROOM AND GIVE THEM FOOD WATER AND TOYS AND THEIR BED.
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Lucy's Colleen
Bratty Ratty
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| 09/19/2007 9:54 PM |
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| That doesn't make you a bad mommie at all. It is just your method. I know of lots of people who put their dogs in a closed off room on use baby gates. I attempted to use baby gates when Lucy was tiny but she learned to jump right over them real quick and she would have torn doors up if I tried putting her in a closed room. The kennel was a good form for us. I rarely use it anymore though as she has gotten older and completely trustworthy alone with free range of the house. But she loves to use it as a bed with the door open when I am busy or when I leave (I know because she will stay in there sometimes, or come out from it when I get home). |
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Colleen
Flickr account:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7797281@N05/ |
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 09/20/2007 10:29 AM |
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You're not a bad mommie, Tauney4. I raised most of my dogs over the years either using a tiled bathroom as their domain at night and when I couldn't watch them; or in a linoleum kitchen with a baby gate across the doorway. Works just fine. I just began to hear about crates a few dogs back and as we traveled a lot at the time, I realized crating for travel really was practical for a lot of reasons: safety in the car; motel confinement to avoid "accidents" or damages; confinement in someone else's home at night; "dens" can offer security for travel-stressed dogs; they facilitate potty training, etc.......... I used them with all subsequent dogs once I "discovered" them. |
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Lions84
Rattie
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| 09/21/2007 11:41 AM |
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| Thanks to you all ! |
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Izzy's mom
Ratastic
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| 09/21/2007 1:57 PM |
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| I have tried all of the above. Best for My Izzy was being in a metal crate that was larger then you should normally get. Izzy was about 10 months old when we got her so by then she was set in her ways i think. So it took alot more work with her. I tried the baby gate and she jumped it the first day. Keep in mind that most ratties are jumpers and can jump very high. Then during the process of crate training she started to scrap the skin on her nose sticking it through the holes of the plastic pet taxi crate. So i thought i will just put her in the bathroom. She chewed and scratched the wood trim in the bathroom and the door. So it all really just depends on the dog and the situation. But whatever works best for you and your household works and i would stick with that. There is the old saying if it's not broken why fix it!! Just so long as your pup is safe and can't get into anything! |
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Izzy's mom
Ratastic
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| 09/21/2007 2:01 PM |
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| P.S Izzy has been in the metal crate for about a month now and is doing much much better. She still hates it and will always hate i think but she accepts it much better and has less accidents. The crate as i mentioned is much larger then normal for these dogs. But Izzy was a stray most of her life and therefore not adjusted to being confined to one small area most of the day. So i got her one for dogs up to 75lbs so that she still has some room to move around and play with her toys. The elminating in her crate has almost stopped completely now. The small plastic one that she had just enough room to stand and turn around in she would eliminate in every single day. Sometime 1 and 2. YUCK!! Life is so much better with the large metal crate for both of us! |
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 09/22/2007 10:22 AM |
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Posted By Izzy's mom on 09/21/2007 1:57 PM
So it all really just depends on the dog and the situation. But whatever works best for you and your household works and i would stick with that. ............Just so long as your pup is safe and can't get into anything!
Yes, that says it all. Agree 100% The baby gates & bathroom approach worked fine with dachshies but we knew they wouldn't with a rattie!  Got my girls crates from day one! |
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Jeff
Bratty Ratty
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| 09/22/2007 10:44 AM |
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i don't crate train and i don't lock Cassie up,i just give her free roam of them house because i'm never gone very long and i make sure everything is put up so she can't get into stuff.during the night,she sleeps with me so no need for a bed.if i'm going to be gone for a long period of time,i take her with me.I think it just depends on what you are comfortable with |
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Being a smarta** is better than being a dumba**
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