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Forums > Ratty Related Discussion > Rat-Terrier.com Info and Help
Subject: My Second Rat!
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ratty


Newbie
Newbie
05/23/2008 5:25 AM  

Hello to all!

 I've finally got my rat. It's just me and Jo Jo. I love Jo Jo, he is a pint sized handful. Things are going well. He is 2 monts old. For 2 months he is learning well. Of course the main concerns are house training. If I catch him I can lead him to the potty area and he will urinate on command. I just can't seem to get him to bm on his on if I am at home. If I am away he does well. Any recommedations?

Also I understand some Rat behavior, but is Jo Jo just teething or are Rats excessive biters and nippers?  Please Help!
Mitzy's Mom


Alpha Feist
Alpha Feist
05/23/2008 7:28 AM  
Welcome!
Are you crate training him? That's a great aid in housetraining. Also, he needs to go to poop soon after eating...food moves thru the puppy digestive system very quickly so that's the best time to take him. When he starts to poop then repeat your "poop command" a lot and praise him....after a few times of this he should start to get the idea.

He's at prime chewing age....his little teeth are in and needle sharp. Give him plenty of appropriate things to chew and don't allow him to nip or bite any humans. With my first rattie I played with her and allowed her to chew on my hands...still have scars!....I didn't know any better and thought it was cute because she was tiny and I'd always had big dogs. Big mistake but I learned better though! LOL
Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids

Georgia Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com; www.newrattitude.org
DaisysMom


Moderator
<b>Moderator</b>
05/23/2008 8:56 AM  
I agree with MB, use the crate - it's your best asset in housetraining. You absolutely must make sure that he isn't given any opportunity to use the house as a bathroom without you being there to see it. Use the crate (properly sized) to contain him when you are gone or not able to watch him. Use a leash or light line to keep him near you at all other times when you are home. The quickest way to train your dog is to be able to correct him IMMEDIATELY when he attempts to go indoors and to get him outside and IMMEDIATELY praise him when he goes where you want him to.

Also, if you aren't already, make sure he is on set feeding times. This will make it much easier for you to determine when he needs to poo, and make sure he's given ample opportunity to go outside to do so.

As for the biting/nipping, yes, he is definitely in the teething stage, but it can become a habit if not corrected anyway. Do some experimenting and find things that he enjoys chewing on and make sure that you replace inappropriate items (like your hands) with appropriate items.
Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom

The Animal Rescue Site
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Forums > Ratty Related Discussion > Rat-Terrier.com Info and Help > My Second Rat!


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