Overcoming nipping?

[chesca_27]

Hi

I have had Larry-Jasper for about two and a half months now and he is quite tame (thanks to his breeder, Tufty Fluff Hamsters) but he still nips me. His bites don't make me bleed or anything but it is frustrating, kinda annoying and it does still hurt a bit. Often I jump out of surprise lol, which isn't good because I don't want to scare him and when he does nip, it's totally random. As well as this, it's always when he has woken up properly and been completely calm.

What I don't want to happen is for him to learn that biting me means he can go straight back into his cage (he needs playtime for extra exercise and exploration).

In addition, I really need him completely tame for the Real London hamster show as it will probably be his only chance in a show and I have very high hopes for him. Physically, he could probably win (I hope because I know almost nothing about showing lol) and I would award him first (but I am bias because he is my baby). I really can't have him nipping the judge (who also happens to be his breeder).

I have noticed he only seems to bite me although he nipped my brother once. But that's it!

Basically, what I'm trying to say is; What are tips to stop him nipping me? There aren't any treats I have found he actually goes crazy for to help with taming.

Thank you

[cypher]

Nipping & biting are quite different, nipping is often a kind of exploration thing they do when they are still a bit unsure what's food & what's not!
I know it's hard but do try not to react at all when it happens, just keep talking calmly for a few moments before putting him down or withdrawing your hand & definitely don't put him straight back in the cage after doing it if he's out for play time. Any kind of reaction can encourage them to just keep on doing it.
If it's random he may well grow out of it, just make sure there is never anything on your hands (even the smell of soap if it's not an unscented one) that might draw his attention & cause him to nip.

[chesca_27]

Originally Posted by cypher

Nipping & biting are quite different, nipping is often a kind of exploration thing they do when they are still a bit unsure what's food & what's not!
I know it's hard but do try not to react at all when it happens, just keep talking calmly for a few moments before putting him down or withdrawing your hand & definitely don't put him straight back in the cage after doing it if he's out for play time. Any kind of reaction can encourage them to just keep on doing it.
If it's random he may well grow out of it, just make sure there is never anything on your hands (even the smell of soap if it's not an unscented one) that might draw his attention & cause him to nip.

Thank you so much cypher! I will try this in future. I almost never put him back straight back (unless he's nipped me multiple times). I do try not to react too much as well.

[Gimleyand Meeko]

You could rub your hands in the substrate that he is using, this would make your hands smell familiar

[chesca_27]

Originally Posted by Gimleyand Meeko

You could rub your hands in the substrate that he is using, this would make your hands smell familiar

Ok thanks! I will try that as well .

[chesca_27]

Thanks everyone - he hasn't nipped me for a couple days now and seems a lot more comfortable with being handled. I also have a little tupperware with one of his favourite houses in and that seems to help. He can have have short breaks in it.

[cypher]

That's good to hear.