Bath sessions

Amy x · 01-10-2016, 01:59 PM

I've started to put Timmy in the bath so he can get out of the cage (I leave the cage in there incase he wants to go back in his bed area) he has had 3 sessions and he is having his fourth right now. I was wondering when it would be okay for me to try to stroke him? I don't eat to rush into anything and possibly scare him but I wasn't sure when would be the right amount of sessions to start to stroke him, note; I am not going to hold him because I know that will scare and discourage him.
All replies are noticed,
Thank you X

Coco61 · 01-10-2016, 02:05 PM

Any room for you to get in with him as well? Then he could run over your legs or something and get used to you more that way. Then you can try a stroke as he runs over!

Amy x · 01-11-2016, 02:26 PM

Thank you Coco I will try that but will need to make sure to block off the door as there is a huge gap at the bottom and to block off the sink/toilets as there are gaps, definitely big enough for him to squeeze into, also I am going to have my mum be in there as well just incase he does try to jump out.
If he jumps to what should I do then because he doesn't like to be handled yet and will get really frightened if we try to pick him back up! Please help incase this does happen,
Thank you X

Coco61 · 01-11-2016, 03:10 PM

Amy, the bath is a good place to start taming but you might have to stop until you can get him used to being in the bath without the cage in there too. I have never done this but many threads on taming here on HC describe this in detail. You need to get Timmy used to climbing into something in his cage to use to carry him to the bath. So, a cardboard tube, a mug, something that you can cover to prevent his escape during transport. Have the bath ready with a towel down and some hides ( use cardboard food boxes like a teabag box and cut a door into it) and some toys. Make the bathroom escape proof in case as you have realised! Let him get used to this with you by the bath. You can sit in with him when you think he is ready. if you have used the tissue trick already he will be getting used to your scent. When you get in the bath he can run over your legs. Be very careful and try not to let him run up your arm to shoulder or he might take a leap to freedom out of the bath. Gradually if you put a flat hand down in the bath he may run over it. Have a treat to put on your hand after that and he may stop to pick it up. Then you could lift your hand a little and put it down again. See how he goes with all this.
All the advice you will read here is to take things at Timmy's pace. Don't rush it or you may set him back. Be patient and as you make progress together it will be very rewarding. It may take 2/3 weeks or 2/3 months. They are all different.
Good luck!

Coco61 · 01-11-2016, 03:12 PM

I know that Serendipity 7000 has done a video of her taming Charlie in the bath but I cannot remember which thread she posted the link on recently. If she reads this then I am sure she will post the link again for you here.

Pebbles82 · 01-11-2016, 03:22 PM

Here it is! It's not a great video but has some tips. I found we needed two of us in the bathroom if someone got in the bath before putting Charlie in with little boy. They do tend to run up your arm, so it needs someone else to block them trying to jump out! But most of our success came from just gradually getting him used to touch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjyEme2xcq4

flowerfairy · 01-12-2016, 12:31 PM

What a great video Serendipity. Very inspiring.

Amy x · 01-19-2016, 01:31 PM

Thank you everyone,
I have been getting in the bath with him but tonight and yesterday night he has started to get a bit nippy. He has attempted to bite me several times tonight but I just slowly pulled my hand away.do you think he is behaving like this because I have rushed it ? I've sat outside the bath now and I'm just going to let him run around by himself for the rest of this session. I do feel bad if I have set back the progress of taming him and I was wondering if there was any tips on how I could maybe get back to where I was before; sat in the bath with him comfortably climbing over me.
He wasn't quite comfortable with me stroking him either and tonight he was a little less resistant but he still wasn't comfortable with me touching him.
And also I have tried putting my hand flat in the bath but he just comes up and starts trying to bite me! I'm not really sure what to do?
All replies are noticed
Thank you x

herbi7 · 01-24-2016, 02:17 PM

It might be a territorial thing and he is feeling threatened by you in his space. Probabt too much too soon. My Syrian didn't really get comfortable with me till she realised I was helping her get what she wanted, which was usually freedom! Then she was happy using me as a ladder or to have fun climbing over but it took a long time and she was never comfortable being stroked

CMB · 01-25-2016, 03:17 PM

Make sure you wash your hands, so they don't smell of food etc or rub dry bedding/substrate from the cage so you smell familiar to the hamster.