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Old 04-23-2013, 12:41 PM   #1
kabobby
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Default Taming tips please :)

Hi,

I am happy to say I got a new hamster yest, a syrian boy who I have yet to name . It has been 5 years since I tamed a hamster so feel I am a bit out of practice. I left him alone yest and this evening I put my hand at the bottom of the tank for about 10mins. He seemed a bit suss but was pretty calm and went about his business with me there. He came over a couple of times but stopped about an inch away from my hand each time and turned back around. He didnt seem too interested in the yoghurt drop on my hand and then he pouched his dinner and pottered back to bed.

What should be the next step and how much should I be progressing each day? I quite like the idea of the bath taming so any advice would be great. My last syrian timmy was such a sweet little guy and i managed to tame him within a week but I'm not quite as fearless about getting bitten now as I was then. Eeek! I have become skittish with age
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Old 04-23-2013, 01:21 PM   #2
antm
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Default Re: Taming tips please :)

I used a cheap soft toothbrush, to put in the cage and stroke hammy, first couple of times he attacked it full on glad it wasn't my fingers, after a couple of days he got used to being stroked so was able to pick him up.

New one has wet tail (see other thread) so taming currently isn't an issue as she is too weak to fight back, although i thought she was going to try and bite me earlier!
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Old 04-23-2013, 01:28 PM   #3
gellerbing
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Default Re: Taming tips please :)

Quote:
Originally Posted by kabobby View Post
Hi,

I am happy to say I got a new hamster yest, a syrian boy who I have yet to name . It has been 5 years since I tamed a hamster so feel I am a bit out of practice. I left him alone yest and this evening I put my hand at the bottom of the tank for about 10mins. He seemed a bit suss but was pretty calm and went about his business with me there. He came over a couple of times but stopped about an inch away from my hand each time and turned back around. He didnt seem too interested in the yoghurt drop on my hand and then he pouched his dinner and pottered back to bed.

What should be the next step and how much should I be progressing each day? I quite like the idea of the bath taming so any advice would be great. My last syrian timmy was such a sweet little guy and i managed to tame him within a week but I'm not quite as fearless about getting bitten now as I was then. Eeek! I have become skittish with age
there is a taming guide here which you might find useful, keep at it and you will get there good luck x
Quote:
Originally Posted by antm View Post
I used a cheap soft toothbrush, to put in the cage and stroke hammy, first couple of times he attacked it full on glad it wasn't my fingers, after a couple of days he got used to being stroked so was able to pick him up.

New one has wet tail (see other thread) so taming currently isn't an issue as she is too weak to fight back, although i thought she was going to try and bite me earlier!
im not sure if you can tame an ill hamster or not but personally i wouldn't try taming until the wet tail has cleared up, he will feel under the weather so its best to just let him rest until hes better
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Old 04-30-2013, 04:53 PM   #4
HammieLover95
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Florida
Posts: 201
Default Re: Taming tips please :)

Here are the steps which I do, from Training Your Pet Hamster
Note: It is very important that you wash your hands with unscented soap before you do this, or hammy could smell the food on your hands and nip.

1) Put your hand in the cage. Let him sniff it and talk to him gently in a low tone. He's filing away your scent and your voice during this bonding time. Repeat it several times a night in short sessions.
Continue doing this (I do at least a week with each step) until he is completely comfortable and walks on your hand, doesn't mind when you put it in the cage, etc.
2) Hold a seed or other treat between thumb and forefinger and offer it to him. Let him take his own time about coming up to the treat. Repeat this over a few days to a few weeks until he's really comfortable.
3) Place the treat on your palm so he has to climb onto your hand to get it. Repeat this until he's comfortable with it.
4) Now that he's comfortable walking on your hands, as he's eating his treat gently stroke him with one finger. Chances are he won't even notice.
5) When he's comfortable with that, gently cup your hands around him and hold him securely in the cage. You're just getting him used to the feeling of being held.
6) When this doesn't phase him, you can start lifting him out of the cage/playing interactively with him.

I did this with my Syrians and it worked beautifully. My 2 Chinese that I have currently didn't really need to be tamed, but I did use a few of these steps to get them more comfortable.
Hope this helps!
-HammieLover95
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