Taming Lil diary

BethandLil · 06-11-2017, 01:16 PM

I'm a novice when it comes to taming a syrian hamster, but here is my progress so far..

I have had Lil for a week now. She seems healthy and happy in her new home. She doesn't shy away from me when I approach/ open her cage.
I have been hand feeding her bits of food, which she will almost always except.
I have very briefly petted her on the back, which she hasn't reacted terribly to but I get the impression she's not completely comfortable with so I haven't done it since.
She has occasionally been very startled by something quite mild/something she usually wouldn't react to i.e a small sound or movement.

I'm not sure if it's time to place some food on the palm of my hand and place it in yet..

To be completely honest, I am nervous to do so. Saying that makes me feel ridiculous but I spook easily too, so I don't want to undo any progress I have made with her already.

When I mentioned to a friend that I hadn't really touched her in the week I have had her, he said 'oh you better start soon or she'll become used to not being handled'.

Is there really a need to rush the taming process or do you think the pace i'm going at is okay?

Also, does anyone have any tips to get over my silly nervous reaction to her inquisitiveness to my fingertips, etc?

Thanks in advance.

CMB · 06-11-2017, 01:51 PM

The taming is going fine. I tend to just let them climb onto my hand without food in the palm, as I wondered if it could encourage nibbling/biting (not sure this is right though). You could hold food above your hand so your hamster has to climb on the hand then give the food.

Or try sitting in a playpen, dry bath or hallway with doors closed and not gaps a hamster could hide in and let your hamster run around and climb on you. You may want to get a container to transport your hamster from the cage to the play area.

The younger they are the easier it should be to tame them, but don't rush it.

cypher · 06-12-2017, 12:41 AM

I agree taming is going fine, no need to rush anything but it is good to be consistent & persevere with things.
It's totally normal that she won't be comfortable with being stroked or touched to begin with but she will get used to it if you keep doing it regularly, just keep it very brief & gentle & allow her get used to it at her own pace.
Putting food on your hand won't set things back at all, just keep your hand still & let her come to you to take it, if she doesn't or doesn't appear happy with it just keep your hand there for a few moments, gently move away & try again the next day.
They all have moments when they suddenly get startled by the slightest thing or even something we're not aware of so don't worry about that, just quietly reassure her if that happens, give her a moment to settle then carry on as usual.

BethandLil · 06-17-2017, 04:37 AM

I have been placing Lil in a dry bath everyday and tentatively testing a palm feed with her.
She hasn't been very interested in it. I've tried lots of different food. I think she's still experiencing a sensory overload

Today I decided to get in the bath with her.
I put two pillows down and covered them and myself with the towels I have designated to her. She has had them in the bath with her before, so they should smell familiar.

I put food on my palm and she instantly came over and ate it (yay!)
Previously I have been nervous when she sniffs my fingertips because I assume she is going to bite me, so I would move them away instinctively.
This time I fought my instincts and stayed put. She just had a sniff and moved on

After about 10 minutes of calmly exploring , her energy went up a notch and I was struggling to control her attempts of escaping! This meant some inadvertent handling, which of course would have been preferred if she wasn't being quite so manic but she didn't object too much.

I left my hands rested on the pillows and she crawled across my hands and arms freely (she was so preoccupied she probably didn't even realise!)
I attempted to gently scoop her up a couple of times but she didn't go for that

BethandLil · 06-17-2017, 04:49 AM

Oh, and at one point she went into the uncovered corner of the bath sniffed around it and turned around and urinated there! Like a dog!

I know hamsters urinate in a corner of there cage but I assumed when they are out playing they just wee'd wherever..

Anyway I was very impressed and appreciative

CMB · 06-17-2017, 05:58 AM

Sound like you are making progress

they can have good and bad days with taming. Try to enjoy the good days and not worry about the bad days.

BethandLil · 06-17-2017, 06:20 AM

Thanks CMB, that's really reassuring

BethandLil · 06-19-2017, 11:35 AM

20170619192603_1.JPG
She melts my heart

cypher · 06-19-2017, 10:54 PM

That's so sweet

Good to hear that taming is progressing.

BethandLil · 06-22-2017, 02:52 AM

Two weeks into starting the taming process and I seem to have hit a bit of a wall..

When Lil is out to play she seems fine with the presence of my hands but equally isn't very interested in them,or rather whatever food I put in the palm of my hands.

If I feed her it from my fingertips, she seems much more interested.

She will somewhat reluctantly crawl over my hands and arms if I put them in her path, but scurries away if I attempt a lift.

What should be my next move?
I am happy to keep going at her pace and be patient at this stage but just wondered if there is an argument for being more dominant in this situation?