As all others have said, docking a rats tail is NOT a good idea. While there are tailless breeders out there (I bred the first dumbo tailless in the Northwest) it's very hard on a rat. Tailless breeders breed manx rats to a certain standard. There is a great chance of manx rats having spina befita and balance problems, and them not being able to regulate their temperature. Manx rats are born with their hips set wider apart, to compensate for their lack of tail which helps in balance. Please wait until you are older and moved out to get a rat if your mom dislikes their tails. Docking tails just to make a rat prettier is inhumane.