Taming - sigh

Pebbles82 · 09-27-2014, 05:53 PM

Well lovely as Charlie is, I don't think I will ever get him tamed! It has been stop start a number of times. First the cage change after the first three weeks, then another two weeks settling in. I tried feeding by hand a bit but he's not having it now. Managed to stroke him a couple of times while he was out in the bath with some toys the other day, but if I try to pick him up he just leaps and threatens to nip kind of by sharply turning his head as if to say 'one more move and I'll have you'.

Having read about taming boxes, so found that the plastic boxes from and ikea storage unit looked about right, and had him on one of those tonight. He took a bit of cheese from me but wouldn't walk on my hand (I think progress has gone backwards), and twists and leaps if you try and touch him. He doesn't want to be touched or picked up. He did seem a bit stressed being in the box so put his ball in and he walked into it, but didn't seem to want to be in it then so I put my hand in front of the ball inside the box, so he had to walk over my hand to come out of the ball, which he did, so that was ok. Except his nails are REALLY sharp! One dug right into me like being stuck with a pin! I will keep trying, and don't want to be negative, but I think he does not want to be tamed or held! He is not what you would call a bold hamster - very cautious. But I do think he gave me a thank you look when I put the vine branch in his cage tonight - he loves it. But thank you looks aren't enough Charlie! I want to have a hamster on the sofa running through my hands, like everyone else! Not a hamster who dives under the sofa and won't come out, or who does acrobatics every time I go near him!

Artsy Hammy · 09-27-2014, 06:35 PM

Keep in mind, not all hamsters will be comfortable coming onto your hand. My Chinese hamster has never come onto my hand, despite my numerous attempts to get her to. I tried everything, but she just won't have it. However, she is still very tame, as she comes running to the front of the cage to see me whenever I walk by, and loves to sit on my shoulder once I pick her up.

My Syrian hamster started willingly climbing onto my hand within a week or two of my adopting him, and loves to climb all the way up my arm whenever I put my hand into his cage.

That being said, all hamsters are different, but they are all still awesome to have, and their differences is what makes them unique (I know that sounds cheesy, but it's true). So, as I tell you my next few tips, remember that your hamster simply may not crawl onto your hands, however, with hard work, you will have progress. Every bit counts!

1. Do not intrude on your hamster's space. Let him come to you When your hamster wakes up, put your hand in one part of the cage, holding the treat with your thumb and pointer finger, and leave your hand there. This will show your hamster that you are not going to be in their face whenever they are trying to do something. If that's what your hamster gets out of this part of taming, he will try to avoid you.

2. Do not expect fast results Do not expect things, because you will just be disappointed. If you expect your hamster to come up on your hand and he doesn't, you will not be happy with the result. However, if you don't expect him to come on your hand, you would instead realize that he is making progress in other areas, like finally taking the treats from your hands.

3. Your hamster may not like to be stroked This doesn't go for all hamsters, but my Syrian hamster hates being pet. He will stand up on his hind legs and show his fierce teeth. Other than that, he is a perfectly calm hamster; he doesn't bite, nip, scratch, or do anything that could potentially harm anyone. He is a very sweet hamster, but not when I touch him. I figured out really quickly after I adopted him that I need to let him come to me. I'm assuming that this is because he feels in control. This may or may not be the same with your hamster, but I'm just throwing it out there.

I'm sorry this got pretty long, and I hope this helps!

Pebbles82 · 09-27-2014, 06:57 PM

Thanks that is really helpful! All of it. Maybe it will be easier when have the playpen set up as he would have opportunity to come to us then. Our little boy desperately wants to pick him up! I know he wouldn't come to me if left to run around the room - we tried it twice - he's very independent!

cypher · 09-27-2014, 10:45 PM

I think Artsy Hammy already covered most of it but I think you may have more success once you get the playpen set up try to get a balance between some places in there where he can hide if he feels the need so he feels safe & enough space for you to be able to interact with him when he's ready, try to let him have a good run in it before you attempt to handle him & he may quieten down a bit.
Above all don't give up or get too dispondent, it will happen, just take it slow & steady.

Pebbles82 · 09-28-2014, 02:25 AM

Thanks cypher! Needed to hear that! Do you think I should keep trying him in the taming box? It's quite big. Or is it a bit late for that?

cypher · 09-28-2014, 06:10 AM

I don't think it's ever too late to try

If you can't get a playpen set up for a bit I think it's better to try that than nothing & free roaming isn't much help with taming.
Give it a go & see how he reacts.

Pebbles82 · 09-28-2014, 12:47 PM

Thanks - I have all the corex and bulldog clips, just need to get better so I can do some cleaning and tidying and sorting out. Worst flu I've ever had!