How get Syrian used to being held? - Page 5

souffle · 05-10-2019, 10:01 AM

Yes we do use this method with dwarves so that wouldn't be an issue. The lift and lay process is just the same. Dwarves can be tricky to hold with them being small ( I find this when I am judging them at shows ) I tend to put my thumb over the body just under the front armpits and this holds them well so you can check the underside. You do need to hold them confidently and most will lay quite still when you turn them over.

demyere · 05-10-2019, 10:20 AM

Thank you Soufflé! I’ll give it a try and will update!

Ziggy Hamster · 05-13-2019, 04:40 AM

Souffle do you happen to have a photo of the lift and lay method? I want to try this with my hamster but can't visualise where my fingers would be around his body. Are my fingers cupped around his butt and back legs with my thumb under his belly? how do I stop him from freaking out with a hand coming from above?

Puddle · 05-14-2019, 02:36 AM

Thanks all, will try the computer mouse method on Maisy when I get home. She seems to be a right wriggler this one. Have a feeling she will be a bit awkward.

Puddle · 05-16-2019, 04:23 AM

Well after 2 days of the computer mouse method and only having her less than a week she is fine with being picked up. She squirmed the very first time i picked her up but she now doesnt move a muscle and just waits to be placed down. Doesnt seem wary of hands at all.

Spent 20 minutes last night while she was on her spinning wheel just with my hands next to her and she didnt react at all, quite content.

Popped her on my chest last night with some baby sweetcorn placed on my hand, she ran onto my hand and sat there eating it till she finished. Fully expected her to pouch it so that was a bonus.

The last 2 /3 we had were all older from the adoption part so i suppose we missed this stage of taming them.

Will do some more tonight when she finally awakes at 8pm but looking forward to it

souffle · 05-16-2019, 07:12 AM

Computer mouse lift and lay - The head is under the heel of your hand and the tail at your fingers!
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Running through tunneled hands
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Ziggy Hamster · 05-16-2019, 11:38 PM

Thanks Souffle the photos are really helpful! I'll give the method a go tonight.

Schwartzie · 06-27-2019, 12:10 PM

Thanks to everyone for this thread! Apologies if I missed this but Soufflé - is it possible to clicker train a hamster? The reason Im asking is I was wondering if I could clicker train Ragna after he has settled etc so that when I’m feeding him he hears the click and associates that to being fed then wakes and comes out to investigate? If not, I can lift the lid of the box we oked in my other thread about pictures of houses and wake him up that way. I’m going to handle him 3 times a day and pick him up like you explained. Should one person handle him in the beginning or is it ok if my hubby and I alternate. With parrots it’s advised to stick to one handler in the beginning. Does this apply with hamsters?

souffle · 07-01-2019, 10:06 AM

The clicker may be a bit intense. Hamsters have very sensitive hearing and what sounds like a click to us may have a very loud sound to a hamster. I think you are best to use your voice and a rustle in the bedding as you always have that with you and you don't need to rely on a non human sound to let them know food is coming. When we are taming we use multiple handlers. Mainly myself and my adult daughter and sometimes my husband. If we have children round and the hamster is at a stage where we hope they are doing well we would allow the child to have the hamster on their knee. We also get them used to household noises like the vacuum and TV so they learn to ignore those. We start vacuuming in a different room and gradually get closer.

Schwartzie · 07-01-2019, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

The clicker may be a bit intense. Hamsters have very sensitive hearing and what sounds like a click to us may have a very loud sound to a hamster. I think you are best to use your voice and a rustle in the bedding as you always have that with you and you don't need to rely on a non human sound to let them know food is coming. When we are taming we use multiple handlers. Mainly myself and my adult daughter and sometimes my husband. If we have children round and the hamster is at a stage where we hope they are doing well we would allow the child to have the hamster on their knee. We also get them used to household noises like the vacuum and TV so they learn to ignore those. We start vacuuming in a different room and gradually get closer.

Thanks for the advice. It makes sense. Thanks again!