Taming problems!

Kathy019283 · 05-03-2015, 12:09 AM

Ok so I bought a hamster in March when she was about 1-2 months old, and now it's May and her taming process has I think hit a stump! I don't get what's happening I give her toys and things for her to play in and platforms and lately I've started to notice that everytimr I stick my hand in (at night when she's mostly active) she stops running on her wheel or stops whatever she's doing and runs to my hand and gets on BUT she's not completely tamed yet because if I have playtime with her or put her down on my rug so she can run free for a while and I try to pick her up in a cupping motion (like my hands put down together and trying to pick her up from the bottom NOT A CLAW MOTION like picking her up from the top) she runs away or even if I try to pet her she just runs or jumps off my hand (still on the floor though so she doesn't get hurt) she still isn't tame but I don't know what to do since I basically don't know if she likes me or not because of I stick my hand in her cage she comes right for it and if I play with her and try to pick her up she runs away! So can someone help because I don't know what to do! I have a homemade bin cage (salma I think it's called from ikea and it's big!) and have tread and toys so I'm kinda stumped here. Help please!! She's a female! About 3-4 months!

Thin Lizzy · 05-06-2015, 10:03 PM

Hi Kathy and Welcome to HC.
I suggest you try the tissue trick, stuff a few tissues up your sleeves for a couple of hours and then place in her cage, curiosity will make her sniff at it, even better if she uses it as bedding.
This will get your hammy familiar with your smell, talk to her softly and encourage her, everytime she comes near you praise her. She might be feeling a bit nervous but this tissue trick does help.
Having loads of toys doesn't always mean a happy hamster.
I would concentrate on stroking her gently when she comes up to you, tell her what a good girl she is and give her a treat. Do this for a few days and then try placing the treat on the palm of your hand and see if she steps on, if she does then praise her.
This may feel like it's going to take a while but, it's important that you go at her pace.

cypher · 05-06-2015, 11:02 PM

Hi Kathy welcome to the forum
If your ham will quite happily walk into your hand in the cage you're doing really well with taming, I would stop trying to pick her up for a while if she doesn't like it, when she's out playing just put your hand down & wait to see if she'll come to you, be patient, give her time & don't try to force it. She may be a little nervous or she may be having fun being out & not want to stop! If you need to pick her up to put her back in the cage see if she'll climb into something like a ball, tube, glass jar or large cup/mug, many seem to prefer that to being picked up & if she gets confident with that you could try again picking her up with your hands.

Lexieshamster · 05-09-2015, 05:44 PM

Hi Kathy - this made me laugh because my hamster does exactly the same thing. When he's in his cage and I call him he comes straight to my hands but when he's had playtime running around my bedroom he does not want to be picked up at all. He's having far too much fun to risk being put back in his cage and used to try and jump out of my hands. He doesn't try jumping anymore but when I call him he stops and looks at me for a couple of seconds then runs the other way. Sometimes he squeaks to let me know he's not impressed at being put back.

Kathy019283 · 05-17-2015, 10:29 PM

Yea I've already done the things like the tissue paper and everything else and I get she wants to play and run off free but my question is how do I continue the taming process? I know she still isn't tamed because if I stick my hand into her cage and wait for her to come on she runs off, but that's when she doesn't want to play, and when I hold her she doesn't stay still or calm. So how do I continue the taming process?

cypher · 05-17-2015, 11:38 PM

Young hams often don't sit calm or still, they're just too energetic & inquisitive! She may still be a bit nervous too, it may seem like a long time to you but it isn't really that long & some do take longer to calm down a bit & become happy with handling.
I think you have to keep doing what you are doing & be patient.
Have you tried the bath method, let her run around on you in there?

Piebald · 05-17-2015, 11:43 PM

Hi Kathy,
I wouldn't expect your hammie to be still when you hold her. Hammies are a bit like sharks lol-- always moving. They are prey animals and their instinct is to keep moving. It is nothing to do with you. The fact you can hold her at all is pretty tame in Hamster world. What kind of Hamster is she?
Lexie makes a good point. Hamsters are clever enough to associate behaviour with response. That means they will learn, sometimes even if you don't want them to, that when you do something like go to pick them up, something else is likely to happen, like being put back in the cage. Try to think about what you might have been teaching her without meaning to.
Hamsters will have their moods too and might not want to play! That is normal. Use a treat to coax her out, most Hamsters will go for a treat but also try to respect her moods.
I think you are probably doing fine with taming just perhaps expecting too much. Try to see things from your Hamsters point of view, not how you want them to be. This will help you understand her and know how to make her feel comfortable with you. xx

Thin Lizzy · 05-18-2015, 03:57 AM

I've never had a calm young hamster.
Twinkle's very energetic and I need eyes on the back of my head as she's a little rascal at times.
I do agree with Piebald about hamsters having moods.
Try not to expect too much too soon, some things can take longer.