Hello my name is Crystal and i just got 2 mini rat terriers ( i think i am nuts) They are named Ruby and Max (yes after the kids show) I have 2 human children doing they are 5 and 11 (girls). We have had them for about 3 weeks they are 12 weeks old brother and sister. They are doing pretty well except they are obsessed with toilet paper. We had a toy fox terrier mix befor these 2 and had to put him down, he got ill. so any tips anyone has for me would really appreciate it. Thanks

Crystal

Welcome! I have a pair of Decker ratties, Molly and Lucy. I only intended to get one, but I just couldn't leave the other one there...I wanted them both. It will get a little crazier for the next few weeks/months...especially once they start teething. Mine are 1 1/2 yrs old, and are still obsessed with tissue paper...my dobie taught them how to grab it out of the trash can in the bathroom when they were still tiny. I try to keep the bathroom door shut, and the trash can up where the ratties can't get it.

please post pics of your ratties when you get a chance.

Welcome new mommie! I LOVE Max and Ruby! Better hope your Max isn't a trouble maker like his namesake. As far as toilet tissue issues, I trained Yaz from the get go that she was not allowed anywhere but the living room and kitchen. Somehow it worked. That way there isn't anything for her to get into. Toys are kept in the kids rooms. Shoes get put into closets. Kitchen trash is in the cupboard. You get the idea. If there isn't anything out, then there isn't anything for them to get into. Can't wait for pics of your babies!

the tissue this is FOR LIFE! they love it!!! newpaper too! HOMEWORK!!!(watch out kids!)just NEVER leave paper ANYTHING! around them!!!!They love to rip it to shreddsss!!! if you drop its ! its there's! there FAST!

Welcome!!  Chloe used to get into the TP too!!  At 4-5 mo of age,  but I just put it up out of her reach for several months and since it's been back in place (the holder) she doesn't bother it unless she's really bored and there's a decent tab to grab onto.  :  )   She's just 11 mo now.  Good luck.  You're gonna love this site if you stick around!

A big Texas WELCOME to ya!  I have two ratties.  Button there in the foreground.  Zipper, my rescue, is the one intent on the cardinal nest above.     Can't wait to see your pics!

When your kids say "the dog ate my homework" they might really be telling the truth!!  Good Luck and welcome!

Welcome again forgot to ask if you are nuts? two at once? hahahaha = we have 4 right now but usually just add one at a time!!

Welcome!! I have not had this problem but I think it was MitchLav who tried yelling at whatever it was the his dog got into (doing the finger point and everything) and it seemed to work. The thread is somewhere, maybe someone can rember and point in the right direction here.

Good luck and welcome!!

Okay here is was, so funny maybe it really works!!

So training a rat-terrier has been a new experience for me, and I get excited when I find something that works.  I got this advice and tried it and it worked like a charm with Murphy: Problem:  Getting into trash or tearing up tissues or paper. Training:  I dropped a wadded up piece of paper in the middle of the room, with Murphy off of his lead.  Murphy immediately went for it, nub wagging.  I said "No."  A word he knows quite well, and he backs off but is keenly interested in it and he won't be able to resist long. I then go over to the tissue and scold it, finger out and shaking.  I really let that tissue know how bad it was. How dare it get on the floor!  It makes the house look messy!  It's a bad, horrible tissue and I will hates it for ever, my precious!  I went on like this for about a minute, until I felt too self-concious and silly for what I was doing.  I then walked away, but watched Murphy from the living room. Murphy watched this whole production with his head curiously cocked to one side, the way he does when the wheels are turning.  He slowly walked toward the tissue, barked at it once that funny RT bark of his, and he came into the Kitchen with me and I praised him.  The tissue stayed on the floor all day, and he didn't touch it. I repeated this with the trash can.  That was it, I haven't repeated it.   It's been three days and he hasn't torn up any paper or gotten into the trash since, although the trash can does seem to have lower self esteem now.

Mitch and Murphy.

you guys are LIGHTWEIGHTS! I did 5!at a time! piece a' cake! it is a full time job though...but a rewarding one!

The yelling at the object thing really works too. We tried it. It's amazing.

Welcome, I have 3 ratties, got them about a year apart. They are great dogs ( have their moments ) . This is a great website!

Barb , mom to Lily, Zeus and Daisy.