Taming a very skittish jumpy hamster - Need help! - Page 2

AliceJayne · 10-27-2018, 03:32 PM

Hello everyone, I thought I would give a little update on Cappuccino!

So the last time I posted I had a disastrous play taming bin experience and I decided to leave him be for about 3 days. I noticed during this time, especially towards the end of the 3 days, he would come out of his shelter everytime I walked past and would be jumping up the sides like he was desperate to come out or have me interact with him, which did melt my heart!
Since then he has been fantastic, I gave up on the taming bins completely and decided to make large playpens, and today I made the hallway safe and sat in there with him, and I EVEN MANAGED TO HOLD HIM! TWICE!! He didn't even jump straight out of my hands, I put my hand to my leg and he crawled off

I am so happy that after 2 months I have finally held him, as brief as it was haha! I wanted to say thank you again to everyone that responded.
I will keep you updated on anymore progress we make!

Thin Lizzy · 10-27-2018, 11:08 PM

Congratulations AliceJayne, that's such wonderful news and progress. That's how I tame my hams. Cappuccino has benefited so much, your bond can only get stronger.

AliceJayne · 10-28-2018, 12:55 AM

Thank you Thin Lizzy, I did almost want to give up at one point but I'm so glad I was patient

So do you find playpens work much better than taming bins?

hamsterbasil · 10-28-2018, 06:27 AM

I was sooooo happy reading this. It sounds like you are making really good progress- it is the best feeling ever (trust me, I know). Sometimes it feels like it will never happen but look how far you have come! Personally, I found playpens the best but everyone is different! Some people really like taming bins, but they never worked that well for me.

Thin Lizzy · 10-29-2018, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceJayne

Thank you Thin Lizzy, I did almost want to give up at one point but I'm so glad I was patient

So do you find playpens work much better than taming bins?

I've never used playpens or taming bins. It's always been my hall, I block of the doors to other rooms with catalogues and heavy books. I'll sometimes sit or lie down in the hall. I'll put some toys out and hide little treats.

AliceJayne · 10-30-2018, 03:05 AM

Hamsterbasil : Ah thank you so much!

I know exactly how you feel haha! I feel so happy as well because I know he walked onto me because he trusted me enough to, not because I forced him to

Yes taming bins haven't given me much luck either! Do you just have the one hamster currently?

ThinLizzy : Yes I am going to stick to my hallway now too, I have a second hamster Nimbus as well who I have only had about 2 weeks and I will try the hallway method with him too as he didn't seem to enjoy the taming bin either.

Emsmum : How is taming Noodles going?

Thank you so much for your help and support! I will keep you updated

hamsterbasil · 10-30-2018, 01:19 PM

Well done cappuccino for walking on you- such good progress! Yes, just one hamster currently. But I have owned 3 others previously, who are all sadly now gone but were so confident and easy to tame. That's why Basil gave me such a shock when I got him because I just wasn't used to skittish and timid hamsters. He is so tame now though and I am so proud of him!
Never heard of the hallway method but that is a really good idea, that's why I love this forum- everybody can help everybody and share amazing tips!!

AliceJayne · 11-02-2018, 08:58 AM

Oh no sorry to hear about your others! I had two previously and they were also very easy to tame, it sure does take a while to get used to a skittish one haha :0

Let me know if you try the hallway method and how you get on with it!

Emsmum · 11-03-2018, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceJayne

Hamsterbasil : Ah thank you so much!

I know exactly how you feel haha! I feel so happy as well because I know he walked onto me because he trusted me enough to, not because I forced him to

Yes taming bins haven't given me much luck either! Do you just have the one hamster currently?

ThinLizzy : Yes I am going to stick to my hallway now too, I have a second hamster Nimbus as well who I have only had about 2 weeks and I will try the hallway method with him too as he didn't seem to enjoy the taming bin either.

Emsmum : How is taming Noodles going?

Thank you so much for your help and support! I will keep you updated

Honestly it just isn't going - I don't know what we are doing wrong, I am following all the advice but he just doesn't come out unless I physically open his den and get him out - once out he is ok, not great, if I put him in the run he freaks, in the bath he freaks, I have taken to just holding him gently and trying to stroke him for a few minutes, I am currently sat in semi dark wondering if this might tempt him out a little earlier than normal - I am shattered staying up to try and socialise with him, most nights I end up going to bed before he is up & the only way I know he is ok is the food is gone in the morning - I am worried he is never going to socialise with us now!

cypher · 11-03-2018, 11:36 PM

Really sorry to hear you're having such a hard time getting Noodles to be more comfortable with you Emsmum. I don't think you're doing anything wrong it's just the way he is, they are all different & sometimes it can take a long time to gain their confidence & find what works for them.
I would carry on with just getting him out for a bit of a cuddle & give him a treat before putting him back, if the run & the bath are freaking him out, sometimes with really shy ones it helps to just put them in the carrier with lots of substrate to begin with, short sessions. I'm sure he'll come round eventually.