Taming Trooper: advice welcome

[bekabee]

I have read a lot about taming and have watched videos on YouTube. They make it look so much easier than it has been for me I feel like some progress with trust was made today--while he was in his cage & I was in the room he actually came above ground to pouch some food and then later again to drink.

I have been using a taming box once a day and when I hold a treat (sunflower seed or pumpkin seed) out to him, he runs to me, sniffs the treat and then tries to run up my arm to get free. Should I try taming in something enclosed like a tent? Any advice would be appreciated.

[CMB]

The taming box is ok. As he tries to climb your arm offer your other hand so he Climbs on then let him climb from one hand to the other.

You can move the free hand higher than the other then once your hamster is on the higher hand lower it and repeat.

A play pen or dry bath you can sit in may be easier than the taming box.

If he is burrowing and hiding under the substrate a lot you could have less substrate in the cage to help prevent this until he is more tame and comes out willingly when you are around. Then once tame add more substrate to allow digging and burrowing.

[cypher]

I've found my Russian hybrids haven't liked being in taming bins much, they do better in a play pen, you can buy metal hamster play pens which are safe & escape proof for Russians as long as you don't put anything they can climb on close to the sides.
Russians generally enjoy climbing all over you so you could sit in the play pen & allow Trooper to do that safely without worrying about escapes or falls.
You can also make a really fun environment for them to explore in a play pen with lots of toys & maybe some hidden treats which they enjoy & makes interacting with them much easier.

[bekabee]

I cannot wait to try all of these great ideas. Thank you CMB and Cypher!

[bekabee]

By the way Cypher, I used to have an English Budgie named Cypher. He was the sweetest! We lost him to a seizure disorder a few months ago. Miss him!

[cypher]

Unusual name for a budgie! So sorry you lost the little guy.

Have fun with taming Trooper.