Rats are very social creatures, they’re friendly, and they’re fascinating to a lot of people. If you have a rat at home, you shouldn’t be surprised if a guest wants to hold him! Just make sure you follow these tips.

If the guest is a child, make sure you talk about calm handling techniques. Most rats don’t like being handled roughly. Always provide a child with direct supervision when handling your pet.

No matter who wants to hold your rat, it’s important that they wash their hands. You don’t want your rat thinking their finger smells like a snack. They could end up getting bitten!

Make sure you choose an area where, if the rat were to be dropped, he wouldn’t be able to scurry away and hide. Hold the rat over a box, on the couch, or on the bed.

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Your dogmay learn to love his crate and see it as a lair in your home.You can also use it to transport him in the car.Thus you want your dog to think of his crate as a fun place. Let your dog explore the crate with the door open. Give him his favorite blanket and a few toys inside the crate. Entice your dog to explore the crate by putting some food treats inside. As he enters the crate, say his name followed by the KENNEL command. Practice this often. Close the door for a few seconds. Increase your dog’s crate timeand gradually decrease the amount of treats.Eventually your dog will respond to the KENNEL command alone. You can also use the KENNEL command to get your dog into a car or a boat or even a small room. For more information, contact your Lakeville, MN veterinarian.

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