How to Get My Rat to Stay With Me & Not Run Away

Rats are very intelligent creatures making them easy to train. Trust is key when attempting to train a pet rat. First you must establish trust and a bond with the rat, then you can train it to come to you when called or stay on your shoulder until you remove it to ensure it will not run away.

Things You'll Need

  • Spoon
  • Baby food or yogurt
  • Treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Establish a trusting relationship with your rat. If it's a new pet and skittish about being handled, use a spoon with baby food or yogurt to entice the rat to you. Offer the spoon with food until the rat will come and eat off it.

    • 2

      Use the spoon to lead the rat onto your hand. Once the rat will consistently take food from the spoon, then use the spoon to lead it onto your hand, then up your arm and onto your shoulder.

    • 3

      Use this technique in short training sessions and repeat often. Change the reward to treats from your hand as the rat becomes more comfortable with the behavior.

    • 4

      Change the reward to affection and praise when the rat is repeating the behavior easily. Soon the rat will readily come to your hand without food.

    • 5

      Teach your rat its name. Say the rat's name and immediately give it a treat. Repeat the process until the rat looks or reacts by looking for a treat when it hears the name.

    • 6

      Move a little further from the rat, then say its name and offer a treat. Repeat the process, moving further away each time.

    • 7

      Change the reward to affection. Once the rat readily comes to you when called by name for a treat, change the reward to praise and affection so a treat won't be necessary to get the rat to come to you.

    • 8

      Shoulder-train your rat. Place the rat on your shoulder and give it treats and praise for remaining there. Move around the room encouraging the rat to remain on your shoulder as you walk around. Use treats, then praise to reward the behavior.

    • 9

      Practice shoulder training regularly. Go about your daily tasks with the rat perched on your shoulder. With repeated practice, a shoulder-trained rat will stay comfortably on your shoulder in the home and even when you leave the house for errands or outings.