It's just becuase you are new to them and they are scared. hardley ever. To be bitten by a rat is not fun: their razor… Rats have a keen sense of smell and are easy to train. This type of training teaches your rat to associate a noise (the click) with a positive reinforcer (like a treat or a toy). Additionally, start with a simple trick, like teaching it to come when you call its name. Newly acquired or frightened rats will probably not be receptive to training at first – especially if your training arena will be a play or free-range area which they would much rather explore. Rats are intelligent animals that enjoy interacting with their owners. These characteristics have been employed, for example, by the Belgian non-governmental organization APOPO, which trains rats (specifically African giant pouched rats) to detect landmines and diagnose tuberculosis through smell. Why train your rats? Do not involve your rat in activities that will scare him. Temperament tests can measure a puppy’s stability, shyness, aggressiveness, and friendliness. A rat needs to feel secure when it is picked up, so hold him close to your chest so he feels a bit enclosed. Make sure that your rat is comfortable and unafraid. Whether this be an agility competition at your local show, training your rats on a homemade course, or just encouraging them to follow your hand around and try various obstacles in an informal session both you and your rats will get a lot out of it. "And the kind we work with are all very sweet, they like to be held and be handled, they like to interact with people, and they really like to work hard. Advertisement. The Health Department offers two different free courses on rat management at its "Rat Academy": Community Training: This free three-hour course is open to anyone who wants to learn about rat management. Training your rat by Katie Dorr . Instead they want to run around and play and explore. This very much links with training your rat, but it is something that is well worth trying with your rats. By Dr. Laurie Hess DVM, DABVP ... but they are actually very intelligent and easy to train. Rabbits, gerbils and hamsters may be more common choices, but chinchillas make great pets, too. There may be a few things you need for specific techniques, however there are some techniques which involve no cost at all. How to Hold a Chinchilla. Clicker training is a great way to help a shy rat develop positive associations with your interactions. Think of puppy temperament testing as a canine crystal ball used to identify your puppy’s personality in order to predict—and so manage—potential problems.