Screechy and Vicious

KittieBoo · 12-15-2014, 05:38 PM

Hello, I adopted a russian dwarf hamster from P@H adoption area about two weeks ago and in the shop she was really sweet and didn't try to bite or anything but when i got her home i left her to acclimatise in her cage for about more than a day before i tried to handle her but when i reached towards her she started screeching and her whole body language was defensive, she was up on her back legs and kept her front paws like she was about to do boxing with me.
And every day since then I've tried to be patient with her and have a little bit of food on my hand as i approach but she screeches and once she bit me. I'm not scared of being bitten, i just keep trying to avoid it but i don't know how to make any progress with her if after two weeks she is still scared of me.
In P@H the lady said she was about six months old and obviously hadn't had much handling. Will it take much longer before she might start to change or is the part about her being isolated for so long something that is irreversible in her personality. I know i have to go at her speed but I'm just worried because she seems to have only become more aggressive.

Any ideas?!

I don't want to never be able to cuddle her!

Also the bits of food and treats i have on my hand, if i leave them in her cage she will eat them if i leave them, especially broccoli.

10836444_10204643904690055_148117055_n.jpg
This is her, little Mary-Piper, probably the only time I've held her since i got her.

Thank you

**DrKMcK** · 12-15-2014, 05:53 PM

You are going to have to give her more space to settle in. Also, dwarfies tend to be very protective of their homes and can be quite cage aggressive. My two monsters were.

I started working with them using heavy gardening gloves so I wouldn't flinch when they tried to bite. Also, I would take them out of their cage, away from their home. They were much better out of the cage. Do the tub training method by removing your hammy by having her climb into a container first, then putting her in the tub after you are sitting safely in the tub. (Make sure the drain is well blocked)Check out Erin's hamsters on youtube for taming methods. She's wonderful. You will get there if you have patience. I really thought my Almond would never tame. He's a cutie now. See him in the photo below.

Shannonmcn · 12-15-2014, 05:57 PM

It could be an issue with cage aggression, have you tried transferring her to a playpen or the bathtub and trying there? A cup or an exercise ball with a little treat to tempt them in are the usual methods.

I had Buttercup for 3 months and she was never okay with being picked up and held though she wasn't aggressive, scared or bitey. Some hams just take more time, rescues especially. You're doing okay, just keep trying and taking it slow and chances are she will come around

KittieBoo · 12-15-2014, 05:59 PM

Aww, your Almond is a cute little button! I'll defiantly have a go with her in the bath. How long was it before your Almond became tame with you?

Thin Lizzy · 12-15-2014, 07:39 PM

I'd give her a few more days to settle into her new home.
At P@H the pets are in a different environment, a different kind of home and if they've been there for a while they'll be use to a different routine.
Try talking to her softly, hamsters can sense if you're angry, be more patient.
Try again with treats and talk to her, if she accepts the treat, tell her what a good girl she is and that you're proud of her.
It may sound silly but this is what I did with mine.
What have you named her?

cypher · 12-16-2014, 12:22 AM

She looks lovely!
As the others have said give her time to settle, don't put your hand directly into the cage for a while at least until she's more used to you, you can speed that up a bit by putting a tissue up your sleeve for a few hours then putting that in the cage & repeating it for a few days so she get used to your scent. Meanwhile as the others said use a ball or cup to get her out. Talk to her quietly whenever you are near her & let her get to know you, she'll come around with time & patience!

KittieBoo · 12-20-2014, 06:45 PM

Hey Thin Lizzy, in the adoption from her name was Mary, and I wanted to call her Pipers, so she's Mary-Piper which sounds a little like Marise Piper potatoes but I think it's adorbes.

I took her into the bath a couple ole if times and once we are in there she never screeches or bites me which is wonderful, I got to find out how very soft her fur is! ��❤️
And the other night I actualy picked her up out of her cage with out her biting me and I thought we had had marked improvement but then tonight she bit and hung on to my finger with her teeth so I think we'll have a few more sessions in the bath but it really does seem to have improved our connection.m so happy. Thank You!❤️��

Thin Lizzy · 12-20-2014, 07:15 PM

Hey kittieboo,
That's great, you're making progress!
OK I know she bit you again, but you might've had a different smell on your hand when you picked her up.
Try rubbing your hands in her wood shavings so she smells some of her and you.
Keep at it and make sure you praise her everytime she let's you touch or lift her and a treat will also go down really well.