Poppy, taking help needed

[Lydia1981]

Hello

We've had poppy since Tuesday so nearly 1 week, not sure of age Between 7 weeks and 11 weeks, she is only out 2nd hamster so quite new to this,
Tilly our first was lovely and tame, really easy to handle, she was a Syrian and we had her from about 3 months to about 2 years until she passed away about 3 weeks ago,

Poppy is a Syrian aswell, she is tiny and very fast, for now she is in a Tilly's old travel/ holiday pet shop small cage, then we will settle her in the Savic hamster heaven( Tilly loved this so hoping she will)
I'm too scared to pick her up up and she is very very fast, I'm scared of her biting me and she is scared aswell, not sure how to tame her, she is lovely and likes to explore, she's eating and drinking well and had been exploring the flat in her hamster ball, I've given her a sand bath but she gets in and kicks all the sand out, she seems to like the tubes and ball, not let her free roam yet as she is very fast and in the middle of putting in new kitchen, windows and other diy, so too risky for her,

How can I tame her? I will try the bath tub and continue with the tissue trick, she is soo cute but very very fast and nervous, but comes out to explore her cage,
She climbs in the ball and runs like a loony round the flat,
I'm scared of her biting me aswell, Tilly bit me hard once and I remember the pain

[Pebbles82]

I think it is a case of time and patience You can't really pick them up when they're zooming around as it might scare her more if she feels sort of grabbed at, plus you are nervous of being bitten. Keep up with the bathtub taming, maybe once or twice a week. It took us two months with our last hammy, but when it happened it was instant!

Just let her run around in the bathtub with some toys. The first time just let her play. The next time just try and stroke her back with one finger - once or twice, while she is not zooming around (eg if she is slithering up and down the side of the bathtub). If you feel nervous about that bit at first, use an old toothbrush to stroke her back - just one little stroke. Then another one later. Our hammy used to jerk his head round at this, as if threatening to bite, but didn't, which was why it was only one short gentle stroke for a second or two.

Next time, no contact, next time, another stroke on the back. When it gets to the point where you can stroke her on the back with no jerking around, move onto -

While she is walking slower in the bathtub, gently slide the palm of your hand under her, cupped slightly, but don't try to hold, her, just let her walk off. Maybe do this once or twice. Next time in the bathtub, do it again. Then lift her slightly while the hand is cupped under her and let her walk off. After that you should be able to move onto lifting and holding her gently without her "pinging", wriggling or trying to escape - but still do it low down or over something soft like a cushion or towel in the bathtub or wherever, in case she does suddenly wriggle free and jump.

Once we were able to pick our last hammy up he was as tame as anything

I did find, even after he was tame, that different times in the evening made a difference as to how active he was. So you might want to observe this as they are all slightly different. For example I would wake ours for feeding time around 6pm so stepson could have time with him. At this time he was ridiculously active and very fast, and it was the same after about 10pm. But between 8 and 9pm he was quite dopey and slower and that was an easier time for taming

It's about building trust. She is just scared really and not used to you completely, or human contact. Once she feels safe with being touched and held by you it will be easier. Meanwhile just keep talking to her so she gets familiar with your voice.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Lydia's, every hamster is different and some take longer to adjust.
Serendipity has given great tips.
I would suggest the tissue trick where you stuff some unscented toilet tissue up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours and then put in her cage, she'll sniff it, this is great for getting them familiar with your scent, do this daily for a week.
Many of us on the forum have done this and it so helps bonding.
Most hams will use the tissue as extra bedding. Also speak as often as you can softly and quietly and praise her.