Taming hamster ideas

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Hey guys, I've previously made a thread before stating my hammy is still nervous after being home for 5/6 months. He's got a lot better than what he used to be, I am able to now stroke him without jumping! But when I do stroke him, he always looks behind and sniffs my finger and i'm scared he's gonna bite me! I've put my hand in his cage every day to get him used to me and he's a lot better now, but I'm scared to try and pick him up because he's bitten me 3 times. Would it be a good idea to wear gloves at first? I'm not sure what I should do next to be able to hold him.

Cheers for reading and ideas would be useful.

[spacebyte]

I've only had my new ham a few weeks, but when I had a hamster a few years ago I used gloves at first. I didn't pick her up without her wanting to crawl on my hand, it just gave me some confidence that I wouldn't be bitten.
Some people put their hamsters in the bath with them and let them run around to get used to them- that way your hamster isn't going to nip you defending their home! I think I'm going to try this with Luna

[Pebbles82]

Hello! Our hammy took ages to tame as he was a bit wild when we got him and I don't think he'd been handled before in the pet shop (they used to use a tube to get him out of the cage and I still have to do that now mostly).

I did a little video on how we tamed Charlie, that might help. It doesn't show much but gives and idea and a few tips! Most of the tips I picked up on here.

It does sound like he isn't fully tame if he is jerking his head round when you go to stroke him. Charlie was like that now, but the taming makes such a difference. Here's the video

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

[Piebald]

Hi Have you done the tissue trick? That is put some plain tissue up your sleeve for a couple of hours then tear it and put it in the cage for bedding. Eve though you have had your hammie for a while it can't hurt. Can you tell us how it happened when you were bit? This might help with suggestions to prevent the in future. What kind of cage do you have and were are the access doors? Do you use a mug or ball to transport him when you are cage cleaning? And where is the cage? Did you get your hammie from a breeder or pet shop? I am guessing the latter as breeder hams would be handled when young but not pet shop hams.
I haven't forgotten you are asking about gloves. Firstly, if you can tell us about the earlier bitings we might be able to help. You need to wash your hands in a plain soap always before handling your ham, no strong scents in the soap, food smells or other animal smells on your hands. Have you been able to feed him a treat? That can be tricky if you have a nipper because he might think your fingers are tasty but we don't yet know if you were bit by accident or because he was scared or something else. Gloves can be used but the same rules for cleanliness apply. I personally think it better to get them used to hands but sometimes gloves can help you get there. When you say you put your hand in how do you do that? Hands coming down from above can be scarey for a ham. You can try putting your hand in palm down with finger tips buried and let him explore that as it may be safer then palm up with tasty fingers exposed. Always talk softly to him and move slowly being aware he is a tiny prey animal. You can try talking to him when you come in the room and then slipping a treat seed through the bars so he begins to learn you mean something good!
Picking him up is a big step and from what you say he may not be there yet. You can start by just lifting him an inch and setting him back down right away. Lift open handed at that height don't curl your fingers around him as that may be scarey. To get him used to your hands curling you can try making a hand "tunnel" and see if he'll venture in.
The bath tub as in Serendipity's video can be a very good way when you are ready. You can get in the tub with him and let him explore you.
Please give some more info and we can make more suggestions. Every ham is different.

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Originally Posted by Piebald

Hi Have you done the tissue trick? That is put some plain tissue up your sleeve for a couple of hours then tear it and put it in the cage for bedding. Eve though you have had your hammie for a while it can't hurt. Can you tell us how it happened when you were bit? This might help with suggestions to prevent the in future. What kind of cage do you have and were are the access doors? Do you use a mug or ball to transport him when you are cage cleaning? And where is the cage? Did you get your hammie from a breeder or pet shop? I am guessing the latter as breeder hams would be handled when young but not pet shop hams.
I haven't forgotten you are asking about gloves. Firstly, if you can tell us about the earlier bitings we might be able to help. You need to wash your hands in a plain soap always before handling your ham, no strong scents in the soap, food smells or other animal smells on your hands. Have you been able to feed him a treat? That can be tricky if you have a nipper because he might think your fingers are tasty but we don't yet know if you were bit by accident or because he was scared or something else. Gloves can be used but the same rules for cleanliness apply. I personally think it better to get them used to hands but sometimes gloves can help you get there. When you say you put your hand in how do you do that? Hands coming down from above can be scarey for a ham. You can try putting your hand in palm down with finger tips buried and let him explore that as it may be safer then palm up with tasty fingers exposed. Always talk softly to him and move slowly being aware he is a tiny prey animal. You can try talking to him when you come in the room and then slipping a treat seed through the bars so he begins to learn you mean something good!
Picking him up is a big step and from what you say he may not be there yet. You can start by just lifting him an inch and setting him back down right away. Lift open handed at that height don't curl your fingers around him as that may be scarey. To get him used to your hands curling you can try making a hand "tunnel" and see if he'll venture in.
The bath tub as in Serendipity's video can be a very good way when you are ready. You can get in the tub with him and let him explore you.
Please give some more info and we can make more suggestions. Every ham is different.

Nope i have t done the tissue trick but i will certainly give that a go! So the first time i was bitten was when i put my hand in after a week or so and i put my finger out to sniff and he bit me then, though i stupidly forgot to wash my hands. The other time was my fault i put my finger in her bed (i got distracted). I have quite a big cage two stories high and it stays in our lounge. Yes i got my hamster from a pet store but when he got him out he seemed ok?
Yeah i used to use a ball to transport him but now i have a playpen i just let him wonder out. I always happily feed him treats all the time! Hes very comfortable and greets me when i place my hand in the cage (from above, but hands are in a fist until he faces the other way and i open it slowly. I always talk to him too. Hes alot more confident in taking the treats and foo, his nose even touched my finger!

[CMB]

Your hamster is doing ok taming wise. Some take longer than others. You can also rub your hands in the substrate so they smell of his home.

[xFluffyHamsterx]

Originally Posted by CMB

Your hamster is doing ok taming wise. Some take longer than others. You can also rub your hands in the substrate so they smell of his home.

Great idea! thank you