Taming a Dwarf Hamster - Page 2

Gemma_xo · 07-09-2015, 08:53 AM

I'll try the bath trick tonight! He has a ball, but I'm reluctant to use it because of the way he crashes into everything (was going to get one of those balls on a stand, but one that he can go in whatever direction, I know they exist, I can only seem to find one with forward & backwards movement though), pretty sure that's not all that healthy! But I'll use the tube trick for sure to get him into the bath, and in time add in the tissue thing for sure.

What you made sense completely, yeah the tub is big enough to angle my arm so it's on a level with him, so it's not my arm over him, it's always angled away from him and the treat is underneath his reach so he's not being shadowed over or anything.

The video is adorable! Charlie is gorgeous! Definitely think my next hamster will be a full size one & not a dwarf, as much as I love Zak, I'm so scared because he's so fragile and small!

I'll just take everything slow as you said in the post above, Serendipity. Slow progress is still progress and at the end of the day all I care about is his happiness.
Will update later on tonight with how things go with the bath trick

x

cypher · 07-09-2015, 09:12 AM

Good luck with the tub taming!
He may find it a bit intimidating at first so maybe give him a couple of small boxes or something he can hide in for a moment if he gets scared. It might be an idea to put a towel or something safe in the bottom of the bath (just watch he doesn't start to chew it) as furry feet will struggle a bit on the slippery surface!
Just take it slow & I'm sure you'll both soon be having fun.
I wouldn't use a ball of any kind with a dwarf, they can get hurt so easily it's not worth the risk. They are quite useful for getting them out of the cage & carrying them around though.

Pebbles82 · 07-09-2015, 09:31 AM

I learned all the taming stuff on here, with a lot of support from Cypher and others!

Gemma_xo · 07-09-2015, 10:18 AM

It just so happens that I've actually lost the ball, I can find the lid, but the ball has literally rolled off by the looks of things! So, tube option it is. He's always in & out of the kitchen roll tube in his cage anyway so it shouldn't be too stressful for him.
Just gave the bath a really thorough scrub & got a towel ready & waiting with a few of the toys that wouldn't fit in his cage & a tissue box for him to hide in to begin with

x

Pebbles82 · 07-09-2015, 12:33 PM

Ok - not sure where your bathroom is but I wouldn't fancy carrying a ham all the way upstairs in a tube, so maybe he could go from the tube to a box to be carried upstairs? Or sometimes we used to take Charlie up inside little boys wellie boot lol!

Gemma_xo · 07-09-2015, 02:49 PM

I live in a flat, my front room & bathroom are next to each other, he seemed fine on the journey anyway

Update on today's taming attempt - Today he ventured around the bath, turned around to face me when I called his name, wouldn't take a treat from me but he was in the bath for only the second time.
Will just do the same thing for a few days then move on after a while xD
x

Pebbles82 · 07-09-2015, 06:31 PM

That sounds like good progress!

FlowerPixie · 07-12-2015, 08:55 PM

Aw! Sounds like you're in the same boat I am trying to tame the hamster. I'm happy this topic is up right now as it's a good read for me. I get so nervous trying to handle my ham. I'm always afraid I'll stress him out too much. I really want to try bath tub taming, but i haven't got a way to move him yet as he is still kinda scared of the ball and won't climb into cups and darts too fast out of tubes...I feel like putting him in a box he would try to claw at the box or bite it in fear.

MissBrittB87 · 07-12-2015, 10:00 PM

Slow and steady wins the race! Taking your time is a good thing, I kind of let my hammies lead the way. My little dwarf, Esmeralda was never handled except for once (and the lady dropped her:-/) It took probably a month but she is tame as can be now! The scented tissue works really well and I would even just sit and talk to her after the first couple days when I would go and feed her.

When moving your hamster from cage tub or play pen, try leaving the mug in the cage and sitting down and waiting for a few minutes. Maybe even set some treats in it and gently lift it out when he scopes it out. My hamster wouldn't go into a mug but did go into a tall clear glass.

cypher · 07-12-2015, 11:22 PM

Try not to get too nervous about it FlowerPixie, the more nervous you are the more they can pick up on it which doesn't help really!
You may need to try a few things to see what he'll be happy climbing into to come out of the cage, he won't chew his way out of a box in the short time it takes to transport him from the cage to where you want to take him for taming so don't worry about that.
If you use a box or tube put the flat of your hand over the end, as well as stopping him from jumping out it will also make it dark inside & he'll be less stressed by it.