Need advice from small pet experts...

Great advice, everyone!
 
I would actually love to adopt a rat. I think they're really cute, and they sound awesome -- but the reason I didn't include them is because some of the people who live with me are afraid of rats unfortunately []. Also, I live in the Philippines and I've looked everywhere for a rescue for small pets and there really isn't one. I also went on local forums in hopes of finding a responsible small pet breeder, but it all I found were BYBs. Pet shops, of course, are out of the question. Maybe the best option for me would be to keep my eyes open for someone who can no longer care for their small pet? It's going to take a while, but I don't mind waiting at all... lus, I first have to look for a vet who is knowlegeable about small pets. (I think my dog's current vet is, but I'm not sure.)
 
With a small pet, I like the more interactive, friendly ones in terms of personality. But I wouldn't mind having a more "look only" pet as long as they're fun to watch. Are there any specific ones which tame easy? Or is it more a matter of breed? Also, which ones are easy to train? When I get one, I'd like to try clicker training him/her [].

You can clicker train rabbits.  There is actually a website for it. clickerbunny.com   I havn't done clicker training with mine yet  because I need to find I motivation for one and the other one has some problems that need to be fixed before I try, but after I fix the problems my bunnies are going to be trained.
Keeping an eye out for listings would be a good idea.  After school ends I'm guessing there will be a few buns that were 'class pets' up for adoption. 
Diferent breeds of rabbit act diferently in general, but it is also somewhat of an individal thing.

Hamstercrossing.com
It hasn't been updated in forever, but it's got a lot of info on dwarf hamsters.

ORIGINAL: mondayblues

I would actually love to adopt a rat. I think they're really cute, and they sound awesome -- but the reason I didn't include them is because some of the people who live with me are afraid of rats unfortunately [].

Rats are notorious for converting rat-haters to rat-lovers!  My own rats have changed so many people's minds.  Their personalities are really so strong that it's very hard to dislike them once you get to know them.  I would suggest seeing if you can find a way for your housemates to meet some rats sometime...you could be pleasantly surprised []  

Rats are very easily trainable...I've trained mine to do many things in the past.  They can be trained to do very doglike things...from simple things like coming when called to more complex things like...agility!  Check outhttp://www.theagilerat.com/   I've made some little jumps and trained my rats to go over them.  It's really amazing how fast they catch on, at least when there's food involved

DumDog - just to clarify - baby rats don't have any 'instinctual' type thing that makes them want to bite people; if you had baby rats that nibbled, well it's no different than having a nibbly puppy.  They're just testing things to see what's food and what's not.  You don't even have to train them to lick you, all mine have grown up doing it automatically..it's a social grooming habit, just means they love you!  Just wanted to clear that up because there is such a negative image toward rats as being biters when really they don't hardly ever bite at all.  I've never had a bitey rat before and I've had rats ever since I was 12... 

ORIGINAL: Aina

You can clicker train rabbits. 

I started clicker-training with my bun, Bonnie. She loves dried fruit, so it's easy to get her going. You have to do it in really short bursts, though, because she gets suspicious and bored if I persist for more than a couple of minutes. I taught her to allow me to touch her and my boyfriend taught her to beg for treats. Bonnie was a rescue bun and came with baggage, but she was a lot easier to bring around then I think a lot of rescue dogs are. It just took time and persistence. Every rabbit I've ever met has been bursting with personality, and they're very interactive.

I vote for rats too.  I've had rodents forever, my first being a hamster.  Unfortunately I have developed a severe allergy to rodents, so I can't have anymore.  Hamsters are the only rodent that has ever bitten me, but I've also had several that never bit.  I found guinea pigs to be too skittish, although I'm sure they can overcome that.  Mice are cute to watch, but not so much fun to play with.  Same thing with gerbils.  I've never had a rabbit so I don't really have an opinion on them.  Which leaves me with rats.  They are smart, friendly, social...My roommate hated rats, but I got one anyway.  Once she actually watched her she was in love.  She is a cat person and she never realized how "cat like" rats can be.  If you do decide to go with rats though, get two.  They are too social to live alone, especially if you can't spend a lot of time with them everyday. 

I've had gerbils and egyptian spiny mice. The spiny mice were much more tame. They would chase after my hand while I was refilling their food and jump onto my arm! The gerbils didn't really like being held, although, I admit I didn't spend much time socializing them. I didn't really own them to interact with them, though, I mostly just wanted to watch them and have the satisfaction of creating an optimal environment. One problem I did have with the spiny mice is that the males really hate each other! I was sold a male and female (told they were two females [8|] stupid petland... that was before my official boycott) and they had babies, luckily, they only have 2-3 babies at a time, so I kept three males and gave away the two females. The two younger males ganged up and tried to kill their father and I had to seperate them.

Anyway, I've never owned a rat, and never will (DH hates hates hates rats) but I think they would be really fun. I also really wanted a tarantula, but DH has a dreadful fear of spiders. *sigh* At least he's on board with loads of dogs!