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Old 08-04-2015, 08:46 AM   #11
Tildauk
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Default Re: Help with taming

Little and often is the key with them.

Talk to them whenever you give them treats or anything nice happens so they associate your voice with good things.

Stroke them while they are having a snack and they get used to being touched and your smell.

Offer them treats and lure them out of the cage slowly, or use a long kitchen roll tube to trick them a bit so they pop out of the tube into your hand. I find the most dicey bit of training them is getting them used to being picked up and its better to have them used to you before they are used to being cupped and picked up.

Wear a nice big fluffy jumper or something when you are holding them so they have plenty to hold onto this makes them less scared because its warm and snugly and they aren't worried about their footing (we have a big hamster training fuzzy dressing gown).

Use the hand tunnel method to get them more used to your smell and being held closely (where you hold your hand in a "U" shape and the run through then you move the hand behind them to in front and repeat until they realize sideways is an option).

I used to let them go up my sleeves as a good smell / proximity trainer but to be honest once you have had a hamster decide they are now nervous and don't want to come out (for over half an hour with them scrabbling around) it can put you off.

If you have a setback don't worry just leave them alone for a while to calm down and try again. The biggest limiter to hamster training is the humans nervousness its catching, just take a deep breath and carry on going. It can help your nervousness to be in a situation where you know they can't escape which is why the bath thing can be so awesome. Its so easy to be nervous too, but we have all been there and it generally works out well so you have stats on your side


I've not heard the tissue thing before that's a terrific idea, im going to do that with my new ham tonight

Last edited by Tildauk; 08-04-2015 at 08:52 AM.
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Old 08-04-2015, 01:47 PM   #12
Larrymom
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Default Re: Help with taming

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jen250 View Post
I'm no expert at this (new hamster owner), but my thoughts are that he just needs more time. My hamster has been with me for 3 and a half weeks now, and he's been very slowly but steadily gaining trust. It sounds like you're making progress. If he was terribly afraid of you, he wouldn't take treats.

Have you been doing the tissue method? Get some toilet paper, put it near your skin (in your sock or shirt) for a couple hours, and then give it to him for bedding. That way he can get really used to your scent. Keep talking to him so that he gets comfortable with your voice. When I approach the cage, I make sure to say, "Hello Hubble, hello there!" so that he knows it's me.

I've been using the bathtub method, but I've only actually gotten in there with him a few times so as to not overwhelm him too much. For awhile there, I could not touch him without him pinging all over the place. He's only just now let me pick him up without pinging, though I think it'll take a little longer for him to be totally okay with it. Baby steps. I noticed the first time he let me stroke him that he was preoccupied with something else (a chew toy) so that he didn't pay too much attention to my hand being there. I also have a tube in the bath with him, and occasionally when he goes in, I'll lift it just an inch off the ground and hold my hand in front of it so that he walks onto my hand to get out. He wasn't so sure about this at first, and he'd turn around and hop out the other end, but he walks onto my hand happily now.

If I were you, I'd just keep trying. Spend some time with him every night and keep interacting with him during playtime. He'll get there eventually.
I've noticed that this morning he did the whole hide in his tube and I said 'hey baby' and he realised it was me and came out slightly so I think he's getting a little used to me. My sister came in my room before and she said he was awake and he did it to her and she said his name when he popped his head out and then ran back in and hid until she went away. This is true, when I'm putting new water and food he does come up to me and sniff me.

I have and with Larry. I've noticed a HUGE difference with Larry. I've had him for a year and he would only usually let me stroke him when he was eating and yesterday I stroked him for at least a minute with no food around.

I would love to try the bathtub method but I'm 5'9 and my bath is way too small for me. I do put him in the bath and place my hand in sometimes. We're both almost taming each other because I'm so used to Larry attacking me. Yeah this is the thing, if I accidentally touch him, he'll jump up .

Thanks for your advice
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Old 08-04-2015, 01:57 PM   #13
Larrymom
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Posts: 255
Default Re: Help with taming

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tildauk View Post
Little and often is the key with them.

Talk to them whenever you give them treats or anything nice happens so they associate your voice with good things.

Stroke them while they are having a snack and they get used to being touched and your smell.

Offer them treats and lure them out of the cage slowly, or use a long kitchen roll tube to trick them a bit so they pop out of the tube into your hand. I find the most dicey bit of training them is getting them used to being picked up and its better to have them used to you before they are used to being cupped and picked up.

Wear a nice big fluffy jumper or something when you are holding them so they have plenty to hold onto this makes them less scared because its warm and snugly and they aren't worried about their footing (we have a big hamster training fuzzy dressing gown).

Use the hand tunnel method to get them more used to your smell and being held closely (where you hold your hand in a "U" shape and the run through then you move the hand behind them to in front and repeat until they realize sideways is an option).

I used to let them go up my sleeves as a good smell / proximity trainer but to be honest once you have had a hamster decide they are now nervous and don't want to come out (for over half an hour with them scrabbling around) it can put you off.

If you have a setback don't worry just leave them alone for a while to calm down and try again. The biggest limiter to hamster training is the humans nervousness its catching, just take a deep breath and carry on going. It can help your nervousness to be in a situation where you know they can't escape which is why the bath thing can be so awesome. Its so easy to be nervous too, but we have all been there and it generally works out well so you have stats on your side


I've not heard the tissue thing before that's a terrific idea, im going to do that with my new ham tonight


I talk to him 24/7 I bet he hates my voice haha.

I tried to stroke him whilst he was eating and he gave me an evil look and jumped up haha.

I've already got him out of the cage and he jumped out of my hand and ran around my room until I eventually caught him! So scary for both of us! I do this with Larry it's the only way he can come out. I put Winston in the bath because he's so fast but I need to get used to putting my hand in there with him. Larry used to bite me ALOT, he's only just kind of stopped so It's one of my fears now but I know Winston doesn't bite so I need to get over it.

I might wear my dressing gown next time he's in the bath and lure him on there with my hands covered and then we'll both get used to each other.

The tissue method does work, i use it on Larry and I think that's the only reason he hasn't bitten me in a while and lets me stroke him now.
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