I just had to post this.  This weekend I have been bitten by Shadow and growled at too.  I don't know if it is because my boyfriend is sick and I was spending time taking care of him.  I played with Shadow, walked him and fed him very well... however he wouldn't let me pick him up or anything.  When I had him outside and off his leash for a few seconds, he ran and wouldn't come to me even though he knows this command.  It was like I was a total stranger this weekend.  I was supposed to have had him neutered a month ago but finances got funny... so hopefully I will do it in August.  Is this the normal behavior for ratties?  I was told that he is be becoming more independant as they usually do after they are a year old, but Shadow won't be a year until November.  This snapping at me has to stop and he also jumps up and snaps at me too.  How do I stop this.  Now on the other hand, he has finally gotten this potty thing down except he won't tell me when he has to go when he is not in his crate.  When he is crated he wakes me up by banging on his crate door and whinning... Otherwise... I just take him out every 4 - 5 hours.  I'm confused!

There are two different types of biting, agressive biting and play biting. Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish between the two. Eithe way, I think you are aware if the biting is not stopped, it can lead to agressive/territorial biting even over something as silly as a sock they want to play with.

The first strategy I would like you to try is something littermates would teach each other when they were very young pups still with mom: Each time your dog bites you I want you to let out that loud, earpiercing, yelp that I know you have heard from other dogs. That is how other dogs communicate to each other that the behavior is not acceptable. It is important that you don't yell, hit, or bite your dog back, but instead let out a loud yelp. It might take a few times for your dog to realize what your message is, but remember it is so so important to remain consistant! Don't yelp every other time he bites, yelp each and every time or you will leave your dog confused as to why sometimes he can bite, and sometimes he can't.

If that doesn't work (it really should if done consistantly!) then you can try to associate a word with a behavior and a consequence. Think when you try to teach your dog to sit. You associate a word ("Sit!" with a behavior (when they actually do it) with a consequence (a cookie, praise, rubs, etc. remember... consequences are not always bad! they are just a result to a chosen behavior!). So apply the whole sit concept to the biting. Your word could be as simple as "Ouch!" (say it sternly, you can use a louder voice, but don't yell) when he bites (behavior) and the consequence (as SOON as your dog releases from the bite reward him with a cookie, praise, rub, etc. Again, it might take a few tries (ok, maybe a week, so again, stay consistant. If you feel like the cookies, praise, etc. are not working you could absolutely still use your word "Ouch!" and then immediately pick him up (not in an angry way, just sternly) and put him into her crate for 1 minute. Go on doing your business while he is crated, ignore any barking, crying, eye contact. Then after the minute is up let him out and praise him. Each time you say "Ouch!" and place him in his crate she will associate the behavior (biting) with the consequence (crate). Dogs are smart and want to please, he will catch on! Just remember to stay calm and assertive!

Good luck with this... and let us know if any of these suggestions work!