Bonding

by fancymice Sun 01 Apr 2018, 12:09 am

Hi I was wondering how to get my mice used to me , and comfortable with me? I got them four days ago, and I want to be able to eventually just pick them up and then being comfortable with me, and slowly begin to train them to come when called, spin, and things like that. Thank you for answering my previous questions! I’m just new to owning mice and I want to make sure I give them the best home possible.

by CallaLily Sun 01 Apr 2018, 1:33 pm

I find it works best to get them out of their cage and move them to a safe play area for taming. I use a big sterilite bin but some people prefer using the (dry) bathtub because you can climb right in with them. You can use a tube or box to move them over until they’re willingly climbing on your hand. I like to say the same phrase when I go to take my mice out. “Play time” and “Home” when playtime is over. You can add their name on the end. I don’t know. They seem to learn it, some better than others.

At first in the safe play space I just place my hand in there and let them get used to me. Most mice eventually become curious and come over to check your hand out pretty quickly. And slowly over time will start crawling into your hand. I wait until they’re very comfortable with climbing on my hand before I introduce movement. At first I just give them rides from one side of the bin to the other. Then when they’re very comfortable with that I start lifting them up. But most of my mice haven’t really liked hanging out on me for long. Just climbing up my arm a little then asking to get back down. But some mice eventually like hanging out in a pocket or sleeve or on your shoulder. Just depends on your mice.

After taming sessions I leave treats hidden around their cage for them to find. I don’t hand treat untamed mice because I find it can encourage biting.

I never got into training fancy tricks. There’s a YouTube channel “Mouse Agility” I think it’s called, where they show some neat tricks and how they taught them.