Russian Dwarf Bites?

[bambithehamster]

My Russian Dwarf, Bambi, is my best furry friend, along with Lola (my bengal) and i love her to pieces. But she bites me whenever there is an opportunity. Since i have only had her for two weeks, i am trying to tame her so she can get used to my scent, but i can't even go near her without her biting me.

I tried to put her in the ball beforehand (by putting the ball in the opening of the cage), so when i took her out she could climb onto my hand freely and without her being startled if i picked her up directly from the cage. It worked for a while but now i can't even get her in the ball- she goes straight for my hand straight away.

I have tried to put my hand in in a fist, so she wouldn't nibble on my fingers, but she bit the back of my hand so hard she was hanging from it when i tried to quickly withdraw my hand!

I am not sure whether this is to do with her feeling restricted in her cage (i am currently designing a new one ) or it is to do with her feeling scared?

Thank you in advance for any advice! All comments are appreciated

[Thin Lizzy]

She could still be nervous. Have you tried the tissue trick? Get a tissue and stuff it up your sleeve for at least a couple of hours or longer and then place it in her cage, she'll be curious and sniff it, this let's her get use to your smell. Do this over a few days and then introduce your hand slowly - remember if you're feeling nervous your hammie well sense it. Speak to her as much as possible softly, calling her and encouraging her. Everytime she comes near praise her and tell her what a good girl she is. Also you can rub your hands in her wood shavings leaving your scent. Slowly introduce the treats and again praise her.
Some hamsters take longer to tame than others but each hammie is different and so are their personalities.

[cypher]

Two weeks isn't long for taming a new & probably nervous ham so don't be too disheartened by her biting & try not to rush things with her.
I agree with Lizzy, if you haven't tried it already the tissue trick can really help get them used to your scent being in the cage.
Where is the opening with your cage? If it's on top that can really slow things down as approaching them from above is the most threatening thing for them so always try to approach her from in front or to the side of her, very slowly.
With some hams you just have to take a step back & start over, it can take a while but you will get there in the end, if she persists with the biting you could try using gardening gloves for a while as they don't particularly like biting those & it may help to break the habit.
Also offering treats from your hand at the start can make it worse with a biter, they can get a bit confused & unsure what's food & what's not! You could try holding a small dish with some treats for her & see if she'll come to your hand that way.
Hope that helps a bit.

[bambithehamster]

Thank you all! I will try the tissue trick tonight and fingers crossed that it will work