Need help hand taming. Difficult.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 12-24-2014, 04:11 AM

I'm having trouble with Aria. She knows who I am and is comfortable with being held but she won't willingly climb onto my hand. She will take treats from my hand but after two treats she ignores the treats and goes around my hand. She is fine with me scooping her up but still won't climb on my hand.

The only time she will climb on my hand is if she want to come out of her bin cage through her door. She will also wait till I've gone to bed to come out. I usually have to take her second level off, wake her up and lift her nest to pull her out for some "taming". She's fine with me in the bathtub too. Never bitten me either.

I'm really frustrated right now. I'm writing with a bit of anger from my tablet and I have an overwhelming need for help. I just don't know what to do or how to get her to get onto my hand especially when I can't use any treats. None. She just doesn't care for it.

I could really use everyone's help because I'm just so frustrated and mad at her. I know I shouldn't be and I feel guilty but I just don't know what to do. :'(

batmum · 12-24-2014, 04:16 AM

Oatmeal I think I am in the same situation as you. Bruce seems to wait for the noise to stop in the room before coming out, like hes avoiding me. Hell let me pet him and if he's sleepy hell snuggle into me or my partner but he doesn't walk onto my hand, infact I think he avoids it sometimes.

I've just put it down to personality really. My hamsters not frightened of me, he doesn't jump ir shake when he sees me, nor does he Freeze.. So i think he's just a wee unsociable creature lol and its on his terms not mine.

I might be wrong though so this thread will be interesting xx

Pebbles82 · 12-24-2014, 04:21 AM

Try and not get angry with your Hamster - ours doesn't just walk on your hand either - he is quite independent. I can pick him up and hold him and give him a stroke for a minute or two and then he wants to be off somewhere. He also only crawls on your hand if there is food there. She is tame if you can pick her up, so I shouldn't worry about her not walking on your hand of her own accord - they all have different personalities. I sometimes wish Charlie was more like a dog, but he isn't! Just enjoy your hamster and talk to her and maybe one day she will want to walko on your hand, but really they are only interested in food, playing, sleep and being cosy!

Shannonmcn · 12-24-2014, 04:34 AM

Ceecee is the same, she's not scared of me anymore (though she's still skittish in general), but she has no interest in climbing on me or sitting with me. She'd just rather be off exploring, it's just her personality. I'd like her to be a little more cuddly but at the same time you have to respect what they want and need.

I'm sorry it upsets you and I would never say you should stop trying and encouraging her but she might never be the people-centred ham you seem to want her to be. Some animals just aren't people-focused and it might make us work a bit harder but the times that they do show affection means a lot more.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 12-24-2014, 04:50 AM

Thank you so far for the quick responses. I don't get mad at her directly because that will just do damage. Once I knew I was getting frustrated I kindly placed her back in her home. I got mad and frustrated on my own and away from her. I also don't want to rush things and I know that hamsters do take time. I'm not concerned with the when but rather with the HOW?

I've only had her for a little over a month. We have progressed a lot since I got her but this hand thing just has me feeling like I keep running into a wall.

It is helpful to hear that some hamsters are just like this. I do hope she isn't but in case she is then at least it's good to hear that her behavior isn't unheard of.

Still, if anyone has been able to work through this and had tips then I'd really appreciate it. Or if anyone has tips.

If that's just how she might be then I'd appreciate your stories and words of comfort. So far all you guys have helped made me feel better. Thank you so much for letting me know I'm not alone in this.

By the way, I still love her too so no worries there.

If we can work through this, great. If not, then no worries, I will still love her even if this is the way she is.

cypher · 12-24-2014, 04:54 AM

You still haven't had her that long so try not to get so frustrated, all hams are very different so I would try to be as patient as you can & let her set the pace, let her personality lead the way as much as possible & follow her lead. Not all hams will want to climb into your hand but if she's comfortable being held I don't think that's much of a problem really, she may not be the ham you're expecting her to be but I'm sure once you've had more time together her personality will shine through & you'll be the best of friends!

Pebbles82 · 12-24-2014, 04:59 AM

I know how you feel - it took 2 or 3 months to tame Charlie and I used to feel upset and frustrated sometimes. But just look at the positives. You can pick her up! And she doesn't bite. I've found different times of night have different behaviours. At 7pm he will come out and play and explore and sit next to you and eat off a plate. At 10pm he just wants to go to sleep and has curled up and gone to sleep on my lap before, but likes to be 'under' something (a blanket eg) and out of sight. At midnight he is wild, full of energy and trying to run off! Try getting her out around 10pm one night. I tempt Charlie out with a treat in a tube, then pop him on my knee on the sofa on a blanket.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 12-24-2014, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

You still haven't had her that long so try not to get so frustrated, all hams are very different so I would try to be as patient as you can & let her set the pace, let her personality lead the way as much as possible & follow her lead. Not all hams will want to climb into your hand but if she's comfortable being held I don't think that's much of a problem really, she may not be the ham you're expecting her to be but I'm sure once you've had more time together her personality will shine through & you'll be the best of friends!

Thank you! Yes, I agree. I haven'thad her that long for me to be frustrated. Tonight is the first night that it just got to me. I just hope that it's something that she can grow comfortable with time.

Thank you very much for your kind words.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 12-24-2014, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I know how you feel - it took 2 or 3 months to tame Charlie and I used to feel upset and frustrated sometimes. But just look at the positives. You can pick her up! And she doesn't bite. I've found different times of night have different behaviours. At 7pm he will come out and play and explore and sit next to you and eat off a plate. At 10pm he just wants to go to sleep and has curled up and gone to sleep on my lap before, but likes to be 'under' something (a blanket eg) and out of sight. At midnight he is wild, full of energy and trying to run off! Try getting her out around 10pm one night. I tempt Charlie out with a treat in a tube, then pop him on my knee on the sofa on a blanket.

It's good to hear that I'm not the only one that has felt frustration. I feel less guilty about it. Because I know it's wrong to feel frustrated and mad. It's really not fair to her nor is it her fault. So knowing that we can relate make me feel less mad at myself for it.

I do agree with the schedule! She's all for climbing on my hand and out of her cage after I've gone to bed. I've tried bribing her out but she just takes it and goes back to her nest right away. Maybe someday though!

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 12-24-2014, 05:25 AM

Overall, I think tonight it just got to me and I needed an outlet. I just felt a great need to reach out and get other hamster owner perspective on the matter. It's just not something that I felt I had to try dealing with on my own. Not to mention that she's only my second hamster and I've never encountered this behavior before. It reminds me of new mothers with newborns.

I even ranted out loud to my boyfriend and he listened and assured me that everything would be alright and that I just needed to be patient.