How do I tame my biting winter white?

[Mtsung]

Hello!
I just got my winter white hamster about a week ago. I know I'm not supposed to pick up my hamster, Phoebe, before one week, Instead I should let her sniff my hand. Although, I have a little trouble with that. The first time I put my hands into the cage to let her sniff, she took a whiff around my fingers but then but me hard and drew blood. I figured my hand probably smelled like something sweet (because of the soap scent). The second time I put my hand into the cage, I had broccoli in my hand. I was thinking she could try to climb to grab the food, but instead she took a sniff and bit me again. I really want to tame my hamster but I'm afraid she'll bite me again. I let her sniff my hands through the cage and use the scented tissue but I don't know if that's working much. I can use gloves but I'm afraid that she'll smell the gloves and get used to the scent of the gloves instead of my actual hands. I talk to her everyday so she can get used to me.... What can I do for her to stop sinking her teeth into my skin?

[SmolHam]

Hi, congrats on your winter white!
I had the same trouble with my robo when I got her over a week and a half ago. I let her settle in a couple of days while kept my scent around the cage with tissues and things she would still nip my finger after coming to sniff them. Maybe Phoebe is territorial of her cage? have you tried taming her outside the cage in a taming box? Also feed her by holding the food with the tip of your fingers first rather than hoping she would climb onto you as I found that helped.
As with the soap I've heard that you should use an unscented soap or a floral scented soap, I've found that it helps a little but hamsters will often bite you because they're annoyed or scared.

As for the gloves, I thought the same thing so I never really tried it but I guess in a way that's to desensitize you to be less scared than anything else?

[AmityvilleHams]

Honestly gloves are not a good idea.Something to keep in mind is that any animal is capable of biting you,and if you constantly fear that you're not going to be confident enough to make much progress with taming!

As suggested taming outside the cage is a great idea whether it is done in a bathtub or a small plastic bin such as a Sterilite bin(66 quart bins would work great!)or other similar plastic bins.Cardboard boxes can work well too,but plastic bins are sturdier and would last much longer and possibly never need replacing

[velma]

It's not something I've ever tried but gloves have worked well for some members here - gardening gloves or a leather glove. It can give you confidence not to flinch and also if your hamster bites they (hopefully) learn it doesn't make you go away. But you're right, you do need to get your hamster familiar with your scent too so the tissue trick is a good idea. At a week in, she is still settling in though so don't rush her too much. Some dwarf hamsters have cage aggression where they are territorial and really don't like anybody in their cage but are a lot calmer around people outside of the cage in a playpen/tub etc.
Don't be discouraged, it's early days yet. Have a look through the thread boards and you'll see other people have had the same problem and different ideas and tips to work through it. I'm sure you and Phoebe will be great pals before you know it.

[xFluffyHamsterx]

I use gardening gloves, i had the same problem with my syrian. I let the gardening gloves get my scent, and before easing him into my hands (only just started to tame my hamster) i put his sawdust on my hands with gloves and that seemed to work well. I am able to stroke his back with no problem though, just confidence for the hamster and I. Don't give up on your hammy, it took 7 months to tame mine!!

[cypher]

I had a female Russian who was very territorial in her cage to begin with & would bite if I put my hand in the cage, it does take time but you can work with them to make things easier.
It is still very early days so as has been said don't try to rush things with her, if you have a barred cage then begin by just offering treats she can take through the bars like sunflower seeds or mealworms.
Once she has got used to doing that you can try putting your hand by the cage door & see if she will come to you, as long as your hand isn't in the cage she may be happy to take treats from your hand & climb out onto your hand.
Territorial hams do often tame better out of the cage so using something she's happy to climb into like a large mug, small box or tube or a ham ball then taking her to a taming bin & introducing your hand to her there may work better.
I never used gloves, not a big fan although I know it has worked for some as a last resort but it is better if she can get used to your hand.
Fingers are most tempting so if you do put your hand in the cage bury your fingers in the substrate or tuck them under something so she can just get to your palm, I found that worked well with mine.
I know bites can really hurt but it is important to try not to react in any way, just talk to her calmly & only remove your hand slowly, if you flinch or pull your hand away quickly or react in any other way it can be seen as a kind or reward "Oh that worked well I'll do it again next time!".
It didn't take that long for mine to allow me to do things like changing water, putting in food or just doing little bits of tidying up without rushing at me to bite but she was never really happy if I just put my fingers close to her in her cage so I just kept to putting my hand below the door & she very quickly learnt to climb out onto my hand & enjoy sitting there eating seeds with no problem at all.
Time, patience & understanding what your ham is doing & why are all it takes really.
With territorial hams you do need to be extra sensitive about not cleaning too much or changing things in the cage any more than you have to, it's there space & they don't like having it interfered with!