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Old 07-24-2016, 10:02 AM   #1
VickyXD
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Default Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Hi guys, it's been ages since I've posted. I've now got a new dwarf hamster. The problem is, that whenever I open her cage she literally runs at me and bites me. So far I have to wear gardening gloves just to change its feed. Has anyone got any suggestions? My Syrian is beautifully tame, but this one.......
I don't want to give up but I feel I've tried everything possible 😞
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:11 AM   #2
POLAR WHITES
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Tame Russian Dwarf Hamsters - 5 Steps to Success hope that like works for some ideas
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Old 07-24-2016, 11:01 AM   #3
freyashamsters
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Is it a Russian or a Robo? Some dwarves, especially Robos, can be very difficult to tame and some never even become fully tame, though if you persevere most people can get their hams tame eventually
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Old 07-24-2016, 11:28 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Have you tried taking your hamster out of the cage for taming sessions? You may find she's less aggressive towards you when she's out of her normal territory, you could use a playpen, the bath or even a cardboard box to keep her safe while out of the cage. You may also find it easiest to get her out of the cage in something other than your hands, e.g a jar or smallish cardboard box she can go into and out of herself.
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Old 07-24-2016, 09:22 PM   #5
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Hi Vicky, have you tried the tissue trick? It gets your ham familiar with your smell. Scrunch some toilet paper (unscented) up your sleeves for a couple of yours and then place in her cage. Curiosity will get her sniffing it, do this daily for a week, add the new in with the rest. Talk softly to her as much as you can and praise her every time she's out in her cage. You using the gardening gloves will be scary for her. Have an extra bowl, so that you're just swapping bowls with food. Tell her what you're doing. If you feel nervous, she'll sense it. Don't give up. Every hamster is different.
If you do decide to take her out her cage use a tub, large tube or tin for her to climb into. Try the bath tub.
Also put some veg wrapped in toilet paper in her cage (I would use tissue from my sleeve, so that the ham gets a smell of veg and you).
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Old 07-24-2016, 10:45 PM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

How long have you had her & what cage is she in?
I agree taming out of the cage would probably be best, my female Russian was quite territorial in her cage so to begin with I would just get her out with a large mug that she was happy to climb into from there she would climb onto my hand without biting & provided I let her come to me she was soon climbing out of the door onto my hand with no problem at all & although she always remained a bit territorial in her cage she soon let me do the necessary with her in the cage without getting upset or biting.
All that does take a little time though so you need to go slowly & find what works for her, definitely do the tissue trick for as long as necessary if you haven't already & spend more time with her in the play pen for a while.
In the long run I don't think gloves help much as they still aren't getting used to hands so trying to get her out with something she'll climb into so you can transport her to the play pen is a better idea.
Try not to react if she does bite (I know it can really hurt!) but that can be seen as a reward & encourage the behaviour to continue.
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Old 07-25-2016, 01:06 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

It may seem like you're never going to get there with her but don't give up hope. It took me several months before I got anywhere with one of my pet shop girls but once we did, we had a really close bond and I think some of that had something to do with the fact that I did things on her timescale rather than trying to rush her too much.

Some hamsters can be very territorial about their cages and just will not tolerate anything they don't want in their cages but they can be a bit more settled once outside of it. Sometimes they calm down as they get older but that's not always the case and my sister has always had to use an old exercise ball to get her rather territorial hybrid out of her cage. Once out of her cage she's as nice as pie.

Is there any way that you can change your hamsters food over whilst she's in bed or occupied by something else? We took to doing that with Sooty because she used to try and attack us when we tried to give her food otherwise.

The others have made some very good suggestions which are well worth a go and I would suggest taking things slowly to start with to help build up that trust.
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Old 07-26-2016, 05:28 PM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

Just keep doing your everyday things.

Put paper in the cage/tank move your hand about in the flooring at night put your hand in it.

Then put your hand out let him stiff it give him treats and say their name I did all this.

And tonight I called my baby's name and he came to me and I heaven't even picked him up yet!
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Old 07-27-2016, 12:58 AM   #9
Gimleyand Meeko
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

I agree with Fluffagrams that it may not look like a 'quick' tame, before taming rub your hands in some of her substrate, this will bring a familiar scent to the her. How long have you had her?
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Old 07-27-2016, 01:58 PM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster that cannot be tamed?

I used the tissue trick with Willow and it's worked a treat

The whole idea of the tissue trick is to put your scent on one of the objects they are in contact with for most of the time to when you do start putting you hand in the cage they won't be frightened or feel inclined to bite by the smell

The one tip I can give you is to just keep persevering. It sounds like your ham may not be a hamster that becomes tame quickly but the key to overcoming this is to never give up.

You could also try the bathtub taming method - it's essentially where you sit an a (empty!) bathtub and let your hamster climb all over you and get used to you.

You could wear gloves if the ham is nipping or biting however they need to be removed eventually as the whole point of the taming is to get your hamster used to you and your hands - not a glove

The two taming methods I've found are best for nervous hams are HoppingHammy's method and Peachy Pet Paradise's method - search for them on YouTube

I'd give you the links myself but I'm on my school iPad and it doesn't allow YouTube

Best of luck with the taming, hope you can get a happy, friendly hamster in the end
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