My first rat!!!

[JoKicksButt]

Hey everyone. I just got my first pet rat the other day, after sixteen years my parents have FINALLY let me get one! Lol!
She's a young blue rat that I named Muffin!
But I have a question, I've found all kinds of stuff on rat health, diet, toys and how to teach them to do tricks and stuff, but I haven't found anything on how to teach your rats what NOT to do.
She's not doing anything really bad, just things that are irritating that I would like to get her out of the habbit of doing. For instance like, whenever she's on my shoulder she has a thing with chewing on my ear because of my ear rings, or even doing acrobatic tricks while hanging from my necklace, which worries me because I don't want her to fall. And anytime I set her on my moms desk while I'm on the computer she likes to try to eat the cigarette butts in her ashtray, & I know that can't be healthy for her.
I keep just moving her anytime she does anything like this, and giving her a tiny little pop on the nose with my finger & telling her no. Is that what I'm suposed to do? Or is there a better way to do it or what?
Any help would be greatly appreciated! ^_^
Thanks everyone! ^_^
Oh and also, I've heard you can teach a rat it's name like you do a dog or a cat, is there a method to doing that or do I just keep calling her by her name and hope she eventually gets the point? Lol.
Thanks again for everyones help! ^_^
--Jo

[Cazsamps]

Congrats on the rat. Firstly i would say can you get her a frined because rats do better in pairs. They come out to play mainly of a night when you are in bed so she will soon become lonely with nobody to play with and this can actually make them physically ill.
Secondly to get her to learn her name just talk to her using her name as often as possible. As for teaching tricks and getting her to do as told etc i have no idea lol my 3 girls are all well behaved and have kinda just learnt to do as i say lol they come when i call them etc!
Good luck with your little lady! x

[JoKicksButt]

Thank you! ^_^
Yeah, I know that they do better in pairs, but see, my parents have always been really big on the "no rats in the house" thing. They think she is going to attract wild rats or something. So when I mentioned getting two rats to them instead of one they told me not to push it, and that they want to see it goes with jsut one rat at first.
I'm homeschooled & generally spend the majority of the night awake anyway. So she tends to sleep during the day then get taken out at night to play and put back up around 4 AM or so. But, I'm still looking forward to getting her a companion.
And thanks again for the help! ^_^

[Korali]

CongRATS !!!!

Yeah Little muffin will do alot better with a friend !! Rats are very social animals and thrive on the company that another rat can provide them, PLEASE make sure you get same sexed pairs !! Dont want a accidental litter of baby ratties !!

you can make her stop eating cigarette butts by removing the ashtray before free range time, as for the other stuff... I have no idea mine chew my ears all the time, and i don't even wear earrings, ive just considered it part of them grooming me. The best way to bond with your rats that i have found, is to wear 2 comfy sweaters, hoodies or similar .. and let your little rattie between the layers, this way they get how you smell and can still feel safe and secure in between each shirt ( and you wont get so scratched by itty bitty rattie nails)

Rats can learn their names ... I haven't tried it yet with mine .. but i do call them by name when i have them out one on one.

Hope this helps a little

Korali

[mulder]

LOL cigs in the ashtray, my timmy does that too and there's no way to stop him, just MOVE THE ASHTRAY as for teh earrings, he did that too, it's him wanting to groom you, i find a little "eep" does the trick. the same eepign they do, you do, and they'll learn what not to do. just wait until she tries licking in your ear and up your nose! LOL and note.....you might want to get her a friend. females are super playful and she'll die and go to heaven for another buddy

for teaching her her name, say it a lot and when she finally comes to you, say her name and give her a treat, over and over lol

[Vanilla_Rat]

I would really think about getting a friend for her.Maybe explain to your parents that rats thrive with ratty company! And two rats are not hard to care for.

As for chewing on your ears,thats what rats do.That is their way of grooming.Plus they are curious animals and will investigate anything.My rats always pick at my piercings or any chains or anything I wear.

As for the ashtray...please move it somewhere else when you have her out running around,because this is not good for her.

[JoKicksButt]

Yes, I do move the ashtray when she's out, I was just wondering if there were a way where I wouldn't have to worry about it by just teaching her not to. And I guess it's fine if I can't stop her from chewing on my ears, she doesn't really bite them, just nibble, so it's more irritating than painful.
And to Korali, Muffin has decided that she likes he pocket of my hoodie. She crawls in there and goes to sleep and just...chills. Lol.
And I am working on my mom, I've been reading her the parts of all these posts that say they do better with a buddy! Lol.
I'm not too worried about that at the moment though, because I know they will give in and get me another rat. They just have to see first that Muffin isn't going to get out of her cage or do any of the other things they're worried about.
And I know not to get a male for Muffin's buddy. Rat's go into heat every what, five days? And I know they only have a gestation period of like a month, so I'd go from two to thirty in like no time! Lol. My parents have already said no matter what they're not getting me a male rat. Lol.