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Old 10-18-2017, 04:03 PM   #1
bashful
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Default Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

Hi everyone. I brought a new little hamster home 3 and a half weeks ago from a breeder. He was 6 weeks then and is 9 weeks now. I did as advised and have been spending time with him in a taming box every day since I brought him home. I’ve kept sessions short and regular - 1 to 3 times a day for 10-20 mins a time. Things seemed to be going well at first, and he was already used to being handled so I thought he’d settle in pretty quickly. I haven’t tried picking him up as he still seemed pretty cautious of me, but he would let me stroke him and would happily come up for treats and hop onto a scoop to be transported to and from his cage. He even hopped onto my hand a couple of times himself. However this past week he’s been ever so jumpy and often runs back to hide in his house when I open the front bars. I really don’t know why he’s taken such a huge step backwards as nothing has happened while he’s been out in his box. Just tonight he jumped out of his skin when I went to stroke him, but he always used to be fine with that; he even squeaked I feel at a bit of a loss here and I don’t know what to do. Have I done something wrong?
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Old 10-19-2017, 01:00 AM   #2
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

It doesn't sound as though you've done anything wrong with the taming/bonding process, if nothing in his environment, cage or the way you interact with him has changed then a change in behaviour like this could possibly be a sign that he's unwell in some way or may have hurt himself somehow.
Has he had a big cage clean out or anything changed in the cage that might have upset him, any other animals in the house or anything like that which could possibly explain things if he's not unwell?
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Old 10-19-2017, 03:00 AM   #3
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

Perhaps something has frightened him (they have wonderfully acute hearing) and he is responding to that rather than to you and just being extra cautious.

Keep on with the taming. I tend to announce 'strokies' before touching them just in case they havent seen my (eye sight not being their strongest sense).
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Old 10-21-2017, 12:55 PM   #4
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

Thank you both for the advice. There’s been no change in his environment, no big cage clean (I spot clean) and I don’t have any other animals about. I’m sure he’s not unwell (thank goodness) as he’s eating and drinking normally. He’s just ever so jumpy when I come in the room and often runs and hides back in bed Maybe I’m not giving him enough time to wake up properly as he was a lot better last night when I went to him quite late. I honestly don’t know though. I guess I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and hope he learns to trust me.
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Old 10-21-2017, 02:13 PM   #5
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

I have found that young hamsters will sometimes go through a skitty phase especially at this time of year as light levels are changing quickly and their routine is upset in their first 'winter' I think it happens more if you keep them very quiet and in a location where they don't get used to everyday sounds. Is he in the lounge or kitchen at all where he can become accostomed to sounds like the TV and vacuum etc or is he on;y in contact when you go and see him? I would suggest you train him to come out by making a sound and rustling his bedding when you feed him. Take him out and be confident and handle him. He has had plenty time to settle and as a breeder hamster he should have been handled as a pup and it is really just a case of him getting used to you now. He may be a little giddy and fast but that is usual for youngsters. They do tend to take a fright sometimes so make sure you always talk gently as you come near and try and not swoop down on the cage from above. I'm sure it is just a phase and he will settle again soon.
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Old 10-22-2017, 12:54 AM   #6
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

If nothing else is changed & he's well then I'm sure souffle's right & it's just a stage he's going through, try to stick to a routine around the same time with him & he should soon get used to it, sometimes if they get up quite late it helps to just gradually make it a bit earlier, a little earlier every couple of days until you get to a time that you're both ok with & that gives you enough time to interact with him & give him some play time.
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Old 10-22-2017, 02:54 AM   #7
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

Thank you guys! I think you’ve hit the nail on the head souffle. He’s in the bedroom rather than the main room. I’m in a flat so he’s not too far away from the hustle and bustle. However what I think’s been happening is that as it’s now getting darker in the evenings, the room he’s in is dark too when he wakes up. Then when I go in to see him I’ve been putting the main light on, whereas when I go to him later on (usually just before going to bed) I just tend to have the lamp on. I think maybe he’s been extra jumpy earlier on because he feels a bit exposed having the main lights on. I think I’ll either bring him into the main room to get him used to the brighter lighting or I could leave the lamp on in the bedroom until he gets a bit more used to me. I’ll definitely try and wake him a bit earlier too. Thank you ever so much to you all for your help.
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:51 AM   #8
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Default Re: Getting More Jumpy With Taming Sessions

The light probably has a lot to do with it, having an overhead light come on suddenly can freak them out a bit, I would leave the lamp on in the evenings for now until he settles down a bit then try putting the main light on again & see how he goes.
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