Sam
Well-Known Member
:hello2 Hi,
So I've got two 4-5 month old girls that I've had for about two months. When I got them they were a little shy, but after about a month, they they warmed up to me but were still timid. I have been working on trust training (carrying them around with me around the house in my pocket, purse etc, calling their name and giving treats, lots of free range time and all that sort of stuff) and they were getting more used to me.
About a week ago, they started acting very scared of me. They run from me when I pick them up, (whether inside or out of the cage) they leap from my hands and run like hell. They will still accept treats from me, but they will not COME to me. They have become VERY nervous rats.
The only thing that's changed since I got them is the amount of free range time they get. For the last 2 weeks I've basically let them run loose in my (VERY big) bathroom with the cage door open and accessible to them. They have lots of climbing/ hiding/ exploring places in there. At first they loved the space, now when I open the cage door, they have no interest in coming out. If I take them out, they run to their shelve in the bathroom and hide or sleep. I've been trying to give lots of treats and boost their confidence but they are so scared.
I expected them to be more active, since they're young girls, but they just hangout in the hammock all the time.
They rarely wrestle with each other, but when they do, they don't seem physically injured at all. They also do not seem sick.
Why are they acting like I've beaten them?!
Thanks! :bow:
So I've got two 4-5 month old girls that I've had for about two months. When I got them they were a little shy, but after about a month, they they warmed up to me but were still timid. I have been working on trust training (carrying them around with me around the house in my pocket, purse etc, calling their name and giving treats, lots of free range time and all that sort of stuff) and they were getting more used to me.
About a week ago, they started acting very scared of me. They run from me when I pick them up, (whether inside or out of the cage) they leap from my hands and run like hell. They will still accept treats from me, but they will not COME to me. They have become VERY nervous rats.
The only thing that's changed since I got them is the amount of free range time they get. For the last 2 weeks I've basically let them run loose in my (VERY big) bathroom with the cage door open and accessible to them. They have lots of climbing/ hiding/ exploring places in there. At first they loved the space, now when I open the cage door, they have no interest in coming out. If I take them out, they run to their shelve in the bathroom and hide or sleep. I've been trying to give lots of treats and boost their confidence but they are so scared.
I expected them to be more active, since they're young girls, but they just hangout in the hammock all the time.
They rarely wrestle with each other, but when they do, they don't seem physically injured at all. They also do not seem sick.
Why are they acting like I've beaten them?!
Thanks! :bow: