The title says the thumbnail. I know that this post could probably warrant removal because of the frequency it's been asked. But I wanted to share my personal worries with my babies.

All three of them will climb on to my hand and arm while I keep it very still to grab a cheerio from my other hand. One of them will let me move my hand around and carry him to places, while the other two still kinda freak out when i do so. None of them really like when i try to scoop them. And I'm afraid of creating negative associations with them early on while trying to pick them up.

But on the other hand, i feel like the sooner I can get them comfortable with it, the deeper the imprints will be, namely that I am a friend and will always handle them safely. Whenever I try to scoop them they almost always immediately jump away. The one or two times they have stayed in my hand were only for about one second. To which I rewarded with a cheerio and stopped trying after.

The way I've gotten them out of their cage for cleaning has been luring them into a shoebox, and then into their travel cage. Or by simply picking them up while they're chilling in their pvc tube.

I understand that not all rats will be cuddly and lovey to me. Hell, I've only had them all for about a week and a half (two of them less!). And that's kind of the point. What pace should I be working towards? And should I take a more passive, let them come to me approach? Or seek out picking them up.

While i try every day or so to gently claw them from the back (I know they associate this with getting snatched), they jump away.

Anyways, I've had a lot of fun so far; I appreciate any feedback!