Rats are absolutely the best rodents! I have owned mice, gerbils, hamsters and rats---rats were far and away the best of the lot. Very personable and much easier for kids to hold. I would suggest that you get the rats as babies and handle them a great deal. This will tame them and make them less fearful. I had two rats when I living in an apartment-one of them was so tame he use to sit on my shoulders and give me little rat kisses on the cheek. Have fun! Smiles, Mel

To help your puppy poop outside try this. Pick up the poop, ignore the dog, take it outside and put it where you want Coco to go. Then get Coco and put her down right by it and say "go potty" or whatever your cue is. Then praise her like she did it there. She'll catch on. Also, what if its happening at a certain time of day. They usually need to go 10-15 minutes after eating, after leaving the crate and if she's a young puppy after vigorous playtime. To get them to sleep in their beds might be harder. You will want to tackle this on the weekend. But once you start you have to stick to it, always or they will get confused. You can put their beds in your room. See if they want to share one, as it seems they like the company. Every time they try to sleep next to you, say no firmly and put them in the correct bed and praise them. Not a lot or they will want to play. Just a simple good dog and a quick pet. Try taking your sleep shirt or something that smells like you and put it in their beds to snuggle with. IF that doesn't work you might need to put them in their crate in your room and let them cry it out. Good luck!!!

in need of a small dog phatlexus

Does anybody have any suggestions? I have a six month old Toy something puppy. I did crate train Coco and moved to the bathroom than an little doggy door, she was doing fine for awhile, but is now pooping in the house again. What should I do? I also have a Seven year old Toy Poodle who is doing great. Another question. Both Bambi and Coco have both slept with me since I adopted them, first Bambi, December 2002, than Coco, February of this year. I am finding that my sleep is being compromised. Both like to sleep real close to me almost on top of me and they scratch and move around alot. I don't want to make them feel rejected and do not know how to get them to sleep in their beds. Thanks, ~Jo Anne~

Hiyas Marcie... I'd go for the rat, they have a wonderful personality and temperment, and are very intelligent. Avoid ferrets till you have a large bankroll saved up in case of sickness...I had 7 ferrets till my separation from my husband...I couldn't take them with me to my new apt, and he couldn't keep them any longer, so we found new homes for them I miss them. members.tripod.com/ferretopia I wouldn't recommend putting rodents of different species in the same cage, you never know what might happen. Good luck... Linda