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Old 05-14-2017, 12:43 PM   #1
MissJeliza
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Default Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Hi guys
After a few pretty nasty bites from my Hamster Igor I've become really scared of putting my hands anywhere near him.

He's not bitten me for about a month but I'm still really scared he is going to everything I see him.

I've been feeding him treat by hand and he takes them nicely everytime and doesn't lunge for my hand anymore
And I know the next step is putting food onto my our stretch hand and letting him come to me
But I'm too scared

Can anyone offer any advice?
Are there any other ways I can tame him so that he gets used to me besides food in hand
I want to do it eventually but I'm not sure he's ready
He's a bit fearful of me like i am of him!

He's not my first Hammy so I don't know why I'm finding this so hard!
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Old 05-14-2017, 12:53 PM   #2
Jennie F
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

I know its not nice after your hammy has bitten you and it does really shake your confidence. My girl has only ever bitten me once and it was a beauty, right under the nail. But I came to realise that it was my fault as I had just broken up a treat using the spot on my thumb where she bit me, so it was probably her being scared and smelling the treat. Havent made that mistake since.

Little and often taming sessions are best. Maybe try burying your fingers in the substrate with your palm up, so he can only get onto your palm. That way, if he does nibble it wont hurt as much. Try not to make sudden movements around him as he will be able to sense your nervousness and sudden movements will scare him.

Please dont give up on your little fella. It takes time to build the trust up between you both and, as any hamster owner will tell you, it generally comes with mistakes on both sides.

There are some really useful threads on here to read through and dont be afraid to ask for advice. Let us know how it goes. Good luck x
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Old 05-14-2017, 02:05 PM   #3
ArBell
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

I was scared of being bitten too at the beginning, and used gardening gloves to pick up my hamham.
I put my palm into his bin cage and placed some treats in the middle of it and waited for him to climb onto it, without flinching. If you flinch it will hinder taming progress.
You can do that for a week, and then you can try lifting your hamster still in your palm and see his reaction (while making sure he doesn't try to fly or something). Get him used to being in your palm.
The next week (or so - depending if he tried to bite you with gloves on) you can try to see if he will get on your palm without any treats.
The next week you can try to remove one glove (from your left hand if you're right-handed for eg) and try to pet him with it. Before doing so, put your hand into a fist and bring it near his nose so he can sniff it (but can't bite on it as it is too big).
Slowly you can see whether you're more comfortable handling him without gloves, depending on his reaction of course!
Good luck.
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Old 05-14-2017, 02:08 PM   #4
Crystalroborovski
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Taming can be difficult, but it sounds like you have gotten the first step down.

Getting bitten by your ham is never pleasant and can bum you out, but here are some things you can do to lessen the chances of it happening:

1. Wash your hands with unscented or mildly scented soap before you do a taming session. This removes any food smells from your fingers and makes it less likely for biting to happen. Using unscented soap also makes them less likely to nip.
2. Rub your hands in your hamster's bedding. This gets his scent onto your hands which makes him less nervous.
3. Don't make any sudden movements or jerk your hand. Also don't follow him around the cage with your hand or put treats in his face. This makes him feel threatened. I'm sure you haven't been doing these things if he's been eating the treats though. Just some tips
4. If you are truly afraid he is going to bite you, you can wear some gardening gloves, though at some point you will have to do taming without these so your ham can get used to your scent.
5. Even if you feel nervous, try to calm your nerves and act calm when you are taming. If you're anxious your ham will be too.

There is a lot of useful taming info on here and on YouTube and other internet sites if you are still stuck. Good luck
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Old 05-14-2017, 02:11 PM   #5
CMB
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

If your hamster bites when you have your hands in the cage. They may be territorial. You can get them to climb into a box, tube, cup etc then take them to a dry bath or a playpen and try taming them there.
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Old 05-14-2017, 11:30 PM   #6
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Have you tried the tissue trick where you stuff some toilet tissue up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours and then put in his cage, he'll sniff it, this gets him familiar with your scent. Do this everyday for a week, add some tissue from your sleeve, speak to him as much as you can softly and quietly. Also praise him when he's out and about in his cage.
Hammies can sense when you're scared.
Offer him treats and praise him, tell him he's a good boy, they love getting praised, boosting their confidence.
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Old 07-10-2017, 05:42 PM   #7
MissJeliza
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Quick update on Igor progress guys!

Since I've realised Igor is quite cage terratorial ive changed my taming method to suit him better, it's slower and more on how he seems to be dealing with things,

So far he's been taking food from my hand, but today for the first time he sat on my hand, I was very nervous that he might bite me, but I let him on and gently tipped him into a bendy bridge twice and he seemed satisfied with it and I didn't feel overwhelmed either!

He sat twice and didn't bite I'm so proud, he's a bit of a biter so this development means a lot to me,

And honestly there is nothing like feeling that little life in your hands for the first time,

I'll keep up with letting him sit on my hand for a few moments till we are both comftable with lifting up while he's sat on my hand

I'm very proud!
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Old 07-11-2017, 05:38 AM   #8
flowerfairy
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Great update. So glad you have managed to overcome your fears enough to let him onto your hand again. Well done.
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Old 07-11-2017, 06:28 AM   #9
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

Happy for the progress that you have made! Let him lead the way as far as how fast you can tame him. In other words try not to rush him or you might have a step backwards.
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Old 07-11-2017, 07:13 AM   #10
MissJeliza
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Default Re: Scared of putting my hands anywhere near my Hammy.

I think he may have been telling me for a couple of weeks that he was ready for it because when I would hand feed him he would really scramble towards my hand but I always angled it so he couldn't climb on because I wasn't ready,

I think it's little things like that I can see that let me know when he is ready
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