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Old 04-17-2017, 12:48 PM   #1
hmr1221
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Default Taming process going round in circles!

Hello there! I had several hamsters in my teen years, and then took a break from hamster keeping for about ten years. I recently decided to start again (maybe because I'm a PhD student who does medical research)

Anyway, I got a Syrian from Petsmart (and I know how a lot of people feel about Petsmart hamsters, but someone has got to love them too, right?) Her name is Helix (scientist, remember?).

I knew when I bought her that she is kind of an anxious type. But I figured that that was just her personality, and I kind of felt a kinship with her because I think she's a lot like me. So, I let her alone for a few days and then the taming began. I have never had a hamster that didn't readily tame before, so the fact that she didn't take to me immediately was a little startling, but I know every hamster is different.

But Helix and I are just going around in circles. I offer her food and talk gently for a few days, we make progress, I think we're finally getting there, and then she'll revert to not coming out of her house if the light is on (as in ANY light), or even to aggressive posturing (jumping at me, baring her teeth). I know that she's a little territorial as well, and that's fine. I just now know that when she is sleeping, she doesn't want the bedding in her potty corner changed (I've never had a hamster that cared before).

She doesn't trust me enough to let me touch her yet. I tried the taking her to a stopped up bath tub and sitting with her and letting her run around on me. She ran everywhere I wasn't. I think it was a traumatizing experience for her and she didn't want to come out of her house when I was in the room for three days.

Oftentimes, she won't even come out of her burrow unless I'm silent (like reading a book), or not in the room, and the lights are dim (as in one lamp across the room) or off entirely.

I thought about the fact that maybe she could smell lab animals on me, but there's not a connection. I can do animal work all day, come home and she'll eat a carrot out of my hand. I can do desk work all day, come home and she'll hiss at me. There's not any predictable pattern.

She has me-scented tissues in her cage, which she will sometimes include intimately into her house building, and then sometimes she will push it all the way to the other side of her cage and pee on it.

I'm willing to be patient. I just don't know that I have the knowledge to really know how to help her be okay with humans. Perhaps I need to just know what to do each and every day to tame this little gal.

Also, if we have a bad day together, is it better to let her have a few days to herself, or to get back with it the very next day?

Am I cleaning her cage too much during the taming process? I know that can sometimes set back taming. I do a full clean every week (which is what I've always done with my hamsters, but if she already has trust issues with me, maybe that's too much for her).

All advice is welcome

Last edited by souffle; 04-18-2017 at 03:52 AM. Reason: personal details not needed
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Old 04-18-2017, 08:38 AM   #2
Hamsterita
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Default Re: Taming process going round in circles!

I'm going to answer in this thread hoping that anyone sees it in the frontpage and answers you, because I think that your problem is very interesting but I don't have enough knowledge to help you.

However, I would suggest to make partial cleans and leave some substrate/nest material when you clean the cage, in theory full cleans are stressful for them and it may not be helping her trust issues. If you can increase the amount of time between cleans, maybe that would hep her to feel more secure too.
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Old 04-18-2017, 08:52 AM   #3
DennisJones
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Default Re: Taming process going round in circles!

The answers to this interest me too, i am in a similar position with Dennis-Sama who today is very reclusive and is doing alot of chuffing.

Look forward to the answers
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Old 04-18-2017, 08:53 AM   #4
Jennie F
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Default Re: Taming process going round in circles!

I agree with Hamsteria, partial cage cleans are the way forward. I made the mistake the first time after about 3 weeks after getting mine of cleaning out the full cage. She was grumpy for days. I just did another partial clean on Sunday, where I only took out the wet substrate and in total probably removed about 2-3 handfuls. Then I added in some clean substrate and mixed it in with her old.

In regards to the taming ( im no expert) but i would definately stay out for a few days after doing a clean, just to get her used to it without any further intrusions. Then carry on doing what you have been doing, little and often. Maybe try rubbing the substrate on your hands to get her smell on you as well.

I know it must be frustrating but its about little and often and baby steps. I would revert back to stage one when she is agressive to you rather than leaving her alone, as she might associate that with getting her way and continue it. Good luck and keep us posted x
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Old 04-18-2017, 09:06 AM   #5
cypher
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Default Re: Taming process going round in circles!

Taming does go very slowly with some hamsters, I agree with the others about the cleaning, if you do clean too much that will really set them back.
What kind of set up does she have? They type/size of cage & how it's arranged can make a big difference to how confident they are.
I would keep doing the tissue trick, even putting it in her pee corner is good!
If she has a bad day I would still keep trying, be consistent, even if you get nowhere on a certain day try to keep the routine the same, if you keep leaving them for a few days they can just carry on taking backward steps & never make progress.
Slow & steady is the key really, stay at one stage for as long as it takes, if she's willing to take a treat from you just stick to that for a little while & don't be in a hurry to move on to the next stage.
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Old 05-07-2017, 04:28 PM   #6
hmr1221
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Default Re: Taming process going round in circles!

As an update: I've kept just doing the treats and talking. She will now tolerate some petting, being picked up if she has to be (though she doesn't love it). She isn't the cuddliest of hamsters, but I suppose I'm not the cuddliest of humans, so it's all fair.
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