Rats are the equal of dogs and cats in playfulness, personality, and intelligence—making them great pets for both children and adults. In fact, over half a million households in the US own a pet rat or mouse. One of only a few books devoted entirely to rat training, The Complete Guide to Rat Training teaches you how to have fun and enhance the relationship you share with your pet rat. The step-by-step format thoroughly and concisely covers a variety of training topics, including positive reinforcement, clicker training, behavior modification, litter training, basic and advanced trick training, and how to set up games and science projects. The authoritative text explains how to read rat behavior and body language so you can understand your rat and learn the similarities between rats and humans. It includes plans and instructions for building training equipment such as mazes and intelligence tests, and provides guidelines that will facilitate a rat’s adjustment to domestic life and help foster a lasting relat

An excellent introduction to the remarkable rat, written by the world-famous Rat Lady, Debbie Ducummum, Rats offers expert advice to all keepers of these popular fancy pets. Held in high regard in Ancient Egypt, major Asian societies, and discriminating homes in America, rats are the most intelligent rodent on the planet and enjoy playing games with their keepers. As with all editions in the Complete Care Made Easy series, Rats offers readers information about selecting the right pets from good sources and acquiring all of the home essentials (for rats: cage, toys, bedding, and furnishings). The book discusses food options and the importance of feeding a rat a healthy, low-cal, low-fat diet based on fruits, veggies, and legumes plus recipes and menu tips. The author also covers the important considerations of rat proofing the home for keepers who opt to give their pets free run of their dwellings. The chapter “Beginning Your Friendship” discusses rat socialization, handling, grooming, cleaning, and interactions with children and other pets. The health of a pet rat is covered in the “Health Care” chapter that includes choosing a veterinarian, the first vet visit, spaying/neutering, the weekly health exam, plus handling common rat maladies and dealing parasites and emergencies. The real f-u-n begins in chapter seven, “Fun Activities,” in which the reader can learn how to train his or her rat to walk on a leash, enrich his rat’s life with entertaining games, and learn party tricks to impress visitors to the rat’s home. True rat lovers will enjoy taking their rats to shows—just like dog shows—to show off their rat’s conformation and natural beauty. The chapter “Show Time” offers advice on preparing for shows, classes at shows, and competing for ribbons. The final chapter on breeding offers rat enthusiasts advice about reproduction, the birthing process, and handling pups. Glossary, appendices, and index included.

The ultimate survivors that have flourished in the most difficult of circumstances, rats have a long history of being the smartest rodent in the room Rats are growing more and more popular as pets for adults and children alike. Having raised and trained rats for over forty years, Miriam Fields-Babineau, in her book Rat Training, teaches rat owners to harness that intelligence through a reward and clicker system of training. An avid proponent of reward-based positive-training techniques, the author explains how to create a successful learning environment for your rat as you teach him how to come on command, jump through a hoop, walk on a leash, stand on his hind legs, and much more. Illustrated with color photographs by Evan Cohen and Virginia Broitman, Rat Training includes tips on what to look for when buying a rat, how to care for your new pet, and how to acclimate your rat to other household pets. In the chapter called "Rat Manner," the author describes how rats think and their social organizations and behavior. Fields-Babineau has trained rats for various purposes, including working in movies, and her chapter called "The Great Rat Race" describes the demands of rat shows and acting careers for rats. The chapter called "Scurry and Hurry" is devoted to agility training and trick training (such as shoulder riding). Resources and glossary included.

Discusses grooming, training, and caring for rat terriers.

Shares the author's experiences with her pet rat Iris, offering anecdotes of her antics and other rat owners and discussing how to care for rats, health concerns, life spans, and eating habits.

This reference series will provide all researchers using laboratory animals with comprehensive practical information on the various species. Each title in the series is devoted to a particular species, and draws together all available data in a "one-stop", easily accessible source. Each has similar format, with sections on the strains available, their husbandry, and special diets. Also included are sections on gross anatomy, endocrinology, and reproduction, followed by more detailed sections on neuroanatomy, vasculature, cell biology, and histology of particular organs and structures, and a section on molecular biology. High quality illustrations are included throughout and a color plate section is provided. A glossary, list of equipment suppliers, and "Quick Reference Section" are added features. The "Quick Reference Section" brings together all tables from the text, allowing readers to find data swiftly. The first volume in The Handbook of Experimental Animals Series, The Laboratory Rat, provides researchers in academia and industry using laboratory animals with comprehensive, practical information on the species. The Laboratory Rat has been divided into eight sections dealing with:* Strains and their selection for research* Housing and maintenance* Pathogens and diseases* Breeding and reproduction* Anatomy* Physiology* Procedures, including experimental surgery* Emerging techniques, including genetic engineering and molecular technologyKey Features* Provides a valuable, comprehensive reference source for anybody working with the laboratory rat* Formatted in a two-color, user-friendly layout* Includes high-quality illustrations throughout as well as a color plate section* Glossary* Tables in the text are also arranged into one Quick Reference Section for ease of access to the data* Appendix of equipment suppliers

Pet rats, also commonly known as 'Fancy Rats, ' are a domesticated version of the common brown rat and are therefore part of the species known as 'Rattus Norvegicus.' However household rats have been selectively bred for looks, color, size and temperament over the course of the last 100 years. They have been selectively bred to the point where there is almost no immediately obvious similarities between the household rat and their wild ancestors. Household pets are less aggressive towards humans and other rats due to the fact that they do not have to scrounge for food and defend territory. Rats make clean, intelligent and affectionate animals which show a similar level of loyalty to a household dog. Due to their intelligence and loyalty they have been anecdotally referred to as 'low-maintenance dogs.' However despite this nickname rats are relatively high maintenance in comparison to other common pet rodents - such as mice and ferrets. Before purchasing any pet it is important to understand that as a pet owner you are responsible for the care and wellbeing of your pet. It is important to try and learn as much as you can about the animal you are considering to keep as a pet to make sure that your lifestyle, household and financial status are suited to provide your pet with the best possible care. This guide has been designed to provide you with both precise and concise information about a chameleon's basic needs to help you provide your pet with the best quality care practices. This book was previously published by 'Pet Care Professionals' under the same name.