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Old 09-16-2018, 02:36 AM   #1
sharonc
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Join Date: Jun 2018
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Default Taming hamsters

I got Humphrey 2 weeks ago from a breeder and making very little progress with him. He comes out late despite trying to coax him out with treats, when he does come out it's straight on the wheel and he won't budge, even goes to sleep in it so I can't get near him. He will take food from my hand though whilst sitting in wheel. I've been advised that the handling process should start straight away as he's a pedigree and been handled before but I'm worried as I can't seem to make any progress with the handling. I would like to try and interact with him out of the cage but can't see how that's possible at the minute. I thought as a baby he would be exploring his cage and be more energetic but he seems quite shy and must feel secure in the wheel, is there anything wrong here?
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Old 09-19-2018, 09:40 AM   #2
delakeeks
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Default Re: Taming hamsters

Aww! He sounds like my Syrian hammie, Mariposa, when we first got her! She was shakey and shy and very very afraid.. but she never really bit us and seemed like she was very careful haha..

We left her alone to get used to her cage and environment (for a week we didnt touch her). I didnt wanna stress her out.. Hamsters need to be familiar and comfortable to their new home

The 2nd week of owning her, I decided to start interacting with her.. she NEVER took food from my hands... had to build a little more trust before she ate from my hands... so for Humphrey to be eating from your hands, sounds like a good start in my opinion!!

I would say keep feeding him, keep interacting with him.. also keep talking to him... He needs to get used to your voice and scent..

That's another thing! They depend on smell and hearing... so just fluff around the bedding in the cage so your scent is all over and Humphrey gets used to your scent!

For handling, it took me about 4 weeks til I was able to hold her.. well tbh it was forced love xD which I dont really recommend but I was so impatient, I just wanted to love her already! xD

The first time I scooped her up (do not just grab him.. scoop him from under with both hands) she was shakey and frantic and I felt like her body shivered with anxiety... but I just kept petting her and talking to her..

I did this everyday for a whole week, and our holding sessions lasted about 5-10min.. I just did this just so she can get familiar with my smell and voice..

And I only held her when I knew she was awake and not eating (basically not busy).

During our bonding sessions, I would be with her in a play pen I made out of cardboard... so it would just be me and her!

Im still taming her.. but every week we had progress.. it's week 6 and just last night she was comfortable with me, staying still and not shaking anymore, and also coming to me whenever she sees me go near her cage!!
She used to run from me in the play pen
but not we dont need the play pen because she wont run away from me... she'll stay near me and do funny things like push her body against my butt (idk why she likes it back there lol...)

Hope my experience in taming helps you!!!!
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Old 09-20-2018, 09:54 AM   #3
sharonc
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Smile Re: Taming hamsters

Ahh it sounds like you're having a lovely time with her now and the relationship is developing nicely.

I've had a complete turnaround with Humphrey, the last few days he's eaten from my hand with his paw on my hand for ages and last night he was like a different hamster, he had loads of energy and came to the cage door to look out for the first time. He stepped out onto my hand and that was it, I picked him up, was stroking him and he was fine. He was desperate for a run around though but I don't have a playpen, if he's like that again tonight I'll put him in the bath with some toys. I can't believe the transformation, I hope it continues.

Good luck with Mariposa, I hope you have a lovely time together.
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Old 09-20-2018, 12:52 PM   #4
delakeeks
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Default Re: Taming hamsters

Thank you! I just got done playing with her a while ago haha!
Aww! I'm happy to hear that!! Just continue to maintain interaction everyday even just for 5 minutes!! I'm almost positive your relationship with Humphrey will progress!!
And yes yes yes! Bonding time in the bath tub is actually an advice i see alot of online hamster owners suggest!
And if you don't have a playpen you can make one out of cardboard !
I wish you and Humphrey the best!!
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Old 09-21-2018, 03:30 AM   #5
sharonc
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Default Re: Taming hamsters

We had bath time playtime last night which he enjoyed but still wanted to get out!! He's also happy to be handled and stroked, it's great. He came out earlier as well which I was hoping for.

Here's to some happy times ahead for us both.
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wheel, cage, handling, straight, progress, interact, worried, handled, pedigree, make, minute, feel, shy, secure, wrong, energetic, start, thought, baby, exploring, coax, late, treats, humphrey, hamsters

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