Baby raccoons always want to be by your side, and will cry if they cannot find you. They generally do well on a leash if introduced early enough. I also give them plenty of toys to keep them busy and out of trouble. Since raccoons are very intelligent, I like to teach them a few fun tricks. Teaching an animal a trick is a fun way of communicating with them and is not cruel when done correctly.
Animals enjoy using their brain, especially raccoons.
I have taught my raccoons to shoot basketballs. It took about three weeks of working patiently with them every day. The day they finally picked up that ball and put in a hoop was exciting for both the raccoons and me. It was as though a light clicked on in their heads and we had found a common language. They seemed to laugh as they tossed ball after ball into the hoop.