Campbells Russian Hamster Still Biting!

[Erin.R]

Hi all,
This is my 1st post. I have been reading posts all over that have different ways to tame a hamster but I am wondering if some hamsters can just not be tamed. I have 4 hamster, they all came from a pet store, I am not really sure where else they can be purchased here in Ohio. I know Sam is a syrian but the other three I am not really sure about. Looking at some pics on the campbells my smokey looks a lot like these. I love all the hamsters we have but seem to have grown most attached to smokey. He has always been difficult, when he 1st came home we couldn't even touch him because he would bite hard. I have been trying to work with him for over 2 months and he has gotten better. I can place his cage on the bed and open it, he will come out if his blanket is there for him to scurry under. I can pull it back and pet him for a minute or so then he takes off back under the blanket. Once in a while he will still bite but I can tell he is really fearful so I don't hold it against him or anything. I really just want him to be happy even if that means I can never pick him up or spend much "quality time" with him. I am wondering if there is something I should be doing to help him to not be so scared. Oh and sometimes I will open his cage to give him a treat and he will charge me like he wants to tear my hand off, once he ran so fast that he ran right off the dresser, I had to put my hand out quickly so he didn't fall. He then bit down on my hand as hard as he could and started jerking back like he was trying to pull a chunk off me, he let go and then bit down again, I blew in his face lightly and it didn't even affect him, I had to put my and in the cage and he hopped of and ran away. So I admit I am a little afraid of him but am really trying to stay come and let him smell my hand as much as I can when he's outside of his cage. Do you think he will ever get over his extreme fear?
I will have to post pics but smokey is grey with white on his underside, a fluffy white tail the tips of his ears are white and he has very hairy white feet, it looks like he has socks on, and he has the same black stripe running down him as the ones I have seen posted here and his head is shaped the same way, pointy not rounded at the nose.
Thanks, and its great to be here, I love all this info in one place.

[Bailey]

I have had Campbell dwarfs that charge my hand. I am not sure if they can all be tamed. I suggest you give him the biggest cage or tank you can afford with lots of toys and hiding places. Also try handling him with cloth gloves and see if he calms down over time. Maybe he can learn to take treats from you over time. Good luck!

[April]

I haven't had to deal with a dwarf who bites, in my experience it is more the Syrians who are aggressive. I've come across many who will run across the cage and bite when you are just trying to change their food and water. In these cases they just take time, patience and a good pair of work gloves. Get a thick kind so that if he does bite it won't hurt. Handle him gently on a daily basis with the gloves to get him used to the fact that you are not there to harm him. Some hamsters won't even try to bite the gloves (something about the different texture). Still make sure to let him smell you lots and lots of treats. Try not to startle him from sleep. That seems to be when they get the most defensive. I work in a pet store and have seen the most aggressive hammys end up being the sweetest ones. Good Luck!

[Queen Of The High Teas]

Do you know, I think its just that Campbell's can be spirited nippy little swines my Campbell, Twilight, is off a breeder, and she's a feisty, but bite-y little thing, who won't hesitate to sink her teeth into you! In fact, she's very appropriately named, as she's like a little vampire, loves the taste of human flesh and blood No amount of handling has changed her, shes fine once shes out (mostly), but just nips randomly at other times, sometimes softly, sometimes much harder. I have no idea why a breeder hamster should be like this, as the winter white I got off the same breeder is the most placed dwarf I've ever known, so laid back he's almost horizontal! So, I've come to the conclusion its just how they are, and thinking about it, most of the pet shop dwarves that I've had that have resembled Campbells have also had the same fiery temperament, and a bite first ask later philosophy.