Taming Tips And Tricks?

[SJ_R]

Hello! So, after a period of not having hamsters for years, I got a male Syrian, Boba, on Thursday. I've left him alone expect for feeding, apart from last night. He was mostly curious in the store, and a little bit now, but mostly he's been a scaredy ham, running and hiding from me, screeching and generally being a poor little frightened baby.

Last night, after trying to get him to eat from my hand and failing, I sort of managed to get him on a cushion, on my lap for a few minutes. He had a right good sniff and explore, but kept flinching from my hand. I put him back before he got too distressed, and today he did have a sniff of my hand, but dived into his house when I moved my hand.

I'm afraid that I'm at a loss here. I don't have much experienced with shy, nervous hamsters, or at least I can't remember. The little dear must be so confused and frightened, I'm just a big, scary smelly thing he thinks wants to eat him, but all I want to do is make friends. I want to do this right, however long it takes, but I have no idea where to start.

I don't know if he'd be bitey, but I have gloves if needs be. I also have a large playpen I can lie down in, if that helps. I was tempted to try that tonight, but thought I'd better seek some advice first.

He also seems not to be eating much, which is slightly concerning, especially considering how teeny he is. His teeth looked a little long a couple of days ago, but seem to have worn down a bit since.

Thank you for any advice and help you can give. It will be greatly appreciated.

[kyrilliondaemon]

Could you start by just talking to him while he's in the cage?

[Ridley33]

if you only got him on Thursday then you will have a while yet before he feels comfortable so don't worry. Patience is the key. Ridley took a good few weeks before I could pick him up without him flinching. I wouldlet him get used to his cage for a few more days then introduce him to the play pen. hamsters are territorial about their cage so they decide when they are happy with your hand going into their home not you. to get him out the cage for the first few times let hik climb into something then lower him into the playpen. this is where you can slowly get him used to your smell and voice etc.

[SJ_R]

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

Could you start by just talking to him while he's in the cage?

My mother and I talk to him whenever we go in my room; I haven't tried just sitting and talking to him, but I suppose I'll try that.

[SJ_R]

Originally Posted by Ridley33

if you only got him on Thursday then you will have a while yet before he feels comfortable so don't worry. Patience is the key. Ridley took a good few weeks before I could pick him up without him flinching. I wouldlet him get used to his cage for a few more days then introduce him to the play pen. hamsters are territorial about their cage so they decide when they are happy with your hand going into their home not you. to get him out the cage for the first few times let hik climb into something then lower him into the playpen. this is where you can slowly get him used to your smell and voice etc.

Okay; thank you, I can do that. Should I add toys in the pen, or just myself?

[iCupcake7911]

Why not put a bit of tissue paper in your shirt / on your skin for the day then put it in his cage? It'll help him get used to your scent quickly. (That is what I have done with both of my hamster x)

[Artsy Hammy]

1. Let your hamster come to you: To him, your hand probably seems like a hawk coming down to eat him. Make sure you do not come from above, since that is what a predator would do. Talk to him to let him know that you are there, and slowly put your hand into his cage, while still talking. Once you get your hand in the cage, leave it in that position. Do not move it. He will run away. Let him come over to you, sniff your hand, and leave when he is ready. Be patient, as him feeling comfortable enough to make his way to your hand will most likely take a while. It is important for any hamster, nervous ones in particular, to feel as if they are in control. You moving your hand to try and pick him up will startle him, however if he is able to come over and take his time, he will feel much more comfortable with the idea of your hand being in his cage.

2. Don't expect things, as you will just be disappointed. If you expect your hamster to come to you and eagerly jump into your hand within a few days, you will be unhappy when you see that he is not doing this. However, you would have missed that he came closer to your hand than before, and was thinking about taking the treat from your hand. You need to focus on every little bit of improvement and move at his pace, not your own.

3. Move slowly through the taming process Make sure that your hamster is completely comfortable with one thing before you move onto another. I have to admit that, despite reading this several times on this forum and other areas on the internet, I don't always believe that it's necessary to take the amount of time that many people suggest while going through the taming process. I did not follow the exact structure of the process described in many different places, and my hamsters are both very tame. Neither of my hamsters are shy, so moving through the taming at a much faster pace was not a big deal, however, I do believe that it is imperative for you to move through the taming process at a very slow pace since your hamster is so shy.

I really hope these three tips help! Please let me know if you have any questions about what I said.

[SJ_R]

Thank you all for the advice.

[DrKMcK]

Hello SJ R. If you don't have a playpen, you can make one. Check out the DIY threads. Also, you can do the same thing in the bathtub...it's actually called the bathtub method. I use this with all my hams after they have learned to go into their roll-a-bout ball. I hold the ball up to the cage door and let hammy go in at his pace. Then I let the hammy run in it for about 15 minutes. I do this for a few days. Once the hammy has decided they like it, I start tub training. First, the drain has to be blocked, very well. No hammies down the drain please. Then you can put a towel down, along with a wheel and have a few seeds ready for bribery purposes. After Hammy's regular run around in his ball (To burn off some energy), instead of him going back in his cage, you take him, still in his ball into the tub with you. Sit in the tub and let Hammy out. This method allows Hammy to explore and to come as close or as far away as he wants. If it is his idea, he won't be so frightened. Offer a seed or nut with your hand flat down. Go slow and don't expect much the first time. You can use small pieces of fruit, veggie or pasta as treats on other tub days. First time, only let the session be for 10 minutes , go longer each session. He will get curious and start climbing on your lap at some point.

I want you to look at the link here to see how Souffle started getting Sparkle to accept touches. You can do this during tub time.

Sparkle's last chance

It will happen with time and practice for your Hammy.

A good site to check out is Erin's Hamsters on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ttU...YsRErdRJXghyug

Hope this helps

[Pebbles82]

Oh my goodness! I just read the Sparkles thread and thought how helpful the taming tips were, but I am crying after reaching the end of it! Waaah!