Jumpy hamster when being held

**Bec** · 06-10-2016, 12:03 PM

So, did look on the forum to see if a similar thread.

We've had Pluto almost 2 weeks, from a rescue, he's doing amazing in terms of taming. Just wondered whether anyone had any tips on holding him...we do the scoop method but he just wants to jump out of hands. He is less skittish and not attempted once to nip. He's around 11 weeks old.

So is it just time, patience and playpen handling or any tips?

Thank you x

**Bec** · 06-10-2016, 12:47 PM

Just seen Sparkles Story on handling posted by the lovely souffle on another thread. Good to see we have similar techniques for handling, I think with Pluto being so much smaller than Neptune we are adapting to his size and speed! Given its been less than 2 weeks, think we are doing alright!

Pebbles82 · 06-10-2016, 12:59 PM

I think it's time and patience

I don't know if you remember, but Charlie was like that and took a while

I picked up tips from all kinds of places on here and youtube and I can't remember whose video it was but someone had a technique that worked with us. It was not trying to pick them up or hold them, but let them run around in the playpen or bathtub and occasionally try a stroke on the back with one finger. If they jerked around, then leave it for a bit. Then another time do it again. Once they accept the stroke from the finger then move onto cupping a hand under them and letting them walk off. Then move onto cupping a hand under them, lifting them a couple of centimetres and letting them walk off. All over a few sessions. We found once we could do the last bit we could pick him up and he was tame and didn't jump any more. It took 2 months! But there was a setback in the middle of that due to a cage change.

**Bec** · 06-10-2016, 01:46 PM

Thank you Serendipity, I also remember that video come to think of it! We can stroke him without him jumping and he walks over our hands fine, think I just need to add in the next steps before cupping/scooping....will just take time. Thank you again x

Rads · 06-10-2016, 02:52 PM

I let Pip come to me when she wanted to and wander over my hands I talked to her as often as I could fed her treats etc.
The first week we had Pip a bit of hamster juggling occurred but she was fine, I think it is best to let them come to you on their terms, did this with our previous Hamster Forrest and he would actually come when called and sit on my shoulder so long as I was wearing my fleecy bathrobe......
Pip being a girly has a totally different character to Forrest who was a boy and more laid back

Thin Lizzy · 06-11-2016, 12:59 AM

Hi Bec,
With Harvey, I let him decide. He loves being stroked but, when I first got him he was a bit jumpy so I would put my hands out flat and let him walk on and each time I would slowly cup my hands and if it was too much he'd get out. Now he happily sits for his massage.