Welcome Salt and Pepper! // Taming

[Kayla]

Just a follow up on my last thread. So I did decide to get a pair today and I'm in love with them! I think I've decided on the names Salt and Pepper but I'm still open to other possible names. Leave suggestions if you can! Anyway, when I brought them home, I put the carrier box into the cage, so they could come out when they felt comfortable. Pepper was quick to leave the box and investigate, Salt on the other hand took a little time. I did decide to scatter feed them to avoid the risk of them becoming territorial over a single food dish. And yes, I know the wire cage has a lot of spacing between the bars, hence the cardboard. I secured cardboard on all the sides of the cage so it is impossible for them to climb any bars. I'm planning on getting a second silent spinner as soon as possible too. ALSO, I haven't tried handling either of them at all yet. I'll try to handle them once the become more comfortable. Other than this, do you guys have any tips on taming? Thanks!

[DexterChloe]

Hi! Tips on taming? Don't rush it would be my one. It's so easy to get really excited and want to cuddle them straight away. Leave them alone for a few days to settle. Start with chatting to them and slowly build it up when they seem comfortable to picking them up. Make sure you give them something tasty each time you see them. You want them to learn that hand= food= friend not predator!

There are so many page online/ on here that give some fab advice. I'd recommend you read those.

Oh and when you get to the picking up stage make sure you hold them low down to their cage floor. My first hammy jumped off my hand during taming he was fine but it freaked me out! I felt so guilty!

[Kayla]

Thanks so much for the great advice! I really could not help myself so I laid my hand down flat on the floor of their cage and they were actually both willing to get on my hand! I've just realized that my hammies are pretty much completely tame They are completely comfortable with me watching them and when they are in their hideouts and I put my hand in the cage, they come out! When I put my hand in front of them, I expect a nibble, but instead I just got a quick sniff and what feels like a lick! I'm so happy And all of this is after having them for less than 5 hours!!

[DexterChloe]

Oooh you're so lucky! Enjoy them! I look forward to seeing some more pics!

[ham-star]

Very lucky indeed!

I look forward t seeing more photo's of your newbies!