| Taming Your Mouse |
| Taming your mouse takes time and patience. Mice are timid by nature and it's difficult for them to understand that you are not going to harm them. Our hands when picking them up, are similar to the talons of their natural preditors, so it is understandable why they run when you stick your hand in the cage. It is your job to help them realize that you are the source treats and fun. |
| The first day you purchase your mouse it is best to put him/her in their cage and allow them to adjust to their new suroundings. |
| After your new mouse seems somewhat comfortable in his/her new home (day 2 or 3) it is time to start getting to know one another. Do not frighten your mouse by trying to pick up him/her at first. By grabbing them against their will, they will learn not to trust you and the most important part of taming is TRUST. Instead, put your hand into the cage allowing them to smell you and realize you will not grab him/her. They will run at first, but being naturally curious, they will come back. After a while, he/she will start to smell your hand and possibly nibble a little. Sometimes you can hold a treat in your hand and allow them to take it from you. |
| It is best to have your mouse trust you enough to crawl in you hand before you try to pick him/her up. Mice are very delicate so please do not grab them around their sides to pick them up. Instead, cup your hand and let them walk into the palm of your hand or by scooping them gently. Although it doesn't hurt a mouse to be picked up by the BASE of its tail they do get freightened when its done so. If you must for some reason have to pick a mouse up this way gently pull them up by the base of their tail ( right next to their behind), and quickly but gently place them in the palm of your other hand. NEVER pick a mouse up by the tip of their tail. This could possibly cause the tail to brake and even cause serious spinal injury. |
| THE TOY BOX: Sometimes creating a box with toys, tunnels, obstacles, etc. separate from the mouse cage can help tame them. Make the box out of plastic or thick cardboard and fill it with toys. Whenever you take your mouse out of his/her cage, place them in this box. They will have tons of fun. Pick them up and place them back into their cage. After you do this a few times they will jump in your hand when its put in the cage hoping to go back to the toy box. Remember to give them a treat for hopping in your hand and reward them by putting them in the toy box again. |
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| Trust is the main ingredient for taming your mouse. It takes alot of time and patience, but its well worth it. |
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| click the mouse to go home |
| Here are some links to great pet stores. You can buy your mouse everything it needs right online and have it delivered to your house in days: www.ferretstore.com |
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