Amlet543
Member
So some of my boys (Armani and Romeo, and occasionally Cap) have gotten to a point in their socialization/bonding where they have started to scent mark my hands/arms. I haven't read up much on scent marking but I assume that this means they are beginning to accept me (especially when they go out of their way to do it).
I have 1 boy, Richie, who is still very shy with me (not too concerned as I've only had them for about 6 days) and he will pretty much only approach me if I have food or the others are crowding around me. While I was doing a spot check Armani came and marked my arm, shortly after Richie came to see what I was doing and happened to sniff right where Armani marked me. I noticed that he didn't jump back and run away like normal when he sniffed me.
My question is: Will letting a shy rat smell you when another has scent marked you assist with the bonding process? Would this help communicate to the shy one that the others accept you?
I would love to hear people's thoughts on this!
I have 1 boy, Richie, who is still very shy with me (not too concerned as I've only had them for about 6 days) and he will pretty much only approach me if I have food or the others are crowding around me. While I was doing a spot check Armani came and marked my arm, shortly after Richie came to see what I was doing and happened to sniff right where Armani marked me. I noticed that he didn't jump back and run away like normal when he sniffed me.
My question is: Will letting a shy rat smell you when another has scent marked you assist with the bonding process? Would this help communicate to the shy one that the others accept you?
I would love to hear people's thoughts on this!