May's Taming Progress Report

[Fluffagrams]

Since my beloved old boy Meat was PTS, I have been working with May to try to encourage her to come out of her shell a little bit more and work at gaining her trust.

We started with me giving her a few seeds whilst she was in her cage, to the point where she's learnt to beg for treats now.

I then had her climb into her old exercise ball for playtime where I'd put my hands in a crab shape in her playpen. I'd let her sniff me, explore and climb underneath.

She was happy enough with that so we moved on to having her sit on my lap. Whilst I did this, I had her exercise ball nearby so she could retreat if she wanted to. She can be a bit lively sometimes and didn't really do sitting still very well but she's got happier with this.

Finally I decided that it was time to see if she'd let me pick her up from her cage and I am pleased to report that today she let me scoop her up gently in both hands and place her in her playpen. After playtime, I was able to place her back in her cage using cupped hands.

She got a few of her favourite seeds as a treat for that one.

[HammieExpert]

That is swell to hear! It is always an amazing time of your and your hamsters life when they are finally tamed and you can play with them. I love to hear that other people are experiencing this! I hope that you and your hamster have a lot of fun together!

[Fluffagrams]

Thank you!

The extra time I've been spending with her has obviously paid off as I really do think she's getting there with trusting me.

I gave her some cucumber when I saw her playing with a cardboard box in her cage and the spoilt little madam wanted me to hold it for her whilst she ate her favourite part. That's something she wouldn't have done a few weeks ago.

[herbi7]

Ah, that's lovely, its the best reward in the world when suddenly they aren't scared any more and are happy to be handled. Not quite there with my boys yet but I pick them up wheels and all to put them in the playpen as they don't like being picked up with hands and they've started to hop on in anticipation of their ride when I turn up

[Shannonmcn]

Good girl May! :3

[Fluffagrams]

I'm so pleased with how well she's been doing.

We've not needed to use the old exercise ball to get her out of the cage for a few days and she's getting more used to being picked up.

Today she sat on my lap for longer than she's ever done before.