Meet Lucifer

BritHamster · 03-26-2016, 09:46 AM

Hiii, I'm 16 and this is my fluff nugget Lucifer he's 18 weeks old and very sweet...when I can pet him. He's not fully tamed due to the pet shop acting like he'd bite their fingers off. They had zero interaction with him and would use a tube to move him when he was being cleaned and when they gave me to him they teased him with a pen whilst I paid.
I got him around 3 weeks ago and have been attempting to tame him, I'm able to pet him here and there but he gets very bitey about it. I feel this is because of the pet shop but would love some tips so I can handle my little devil.

MsAdler · 03-27-2016, 11:42 AM

Ooooh he's absolutely gorgeous. Such a beautiful colour and a cute little face!!!

Shame on the pet shop! They should have known better! The first thing you have to do is get him used to you. You're big and scary at the moment. Put your hand into the cage with a tempting treat (sunflower seeds are very popular but remember to bite off any sharp bits before you offer to him, just in case he stashes it in a pouch and scratches himself) and offer it to him. Let him sniff you and nibble at you as that's how hamsters explore things. You can begin by wearing gloves if you're worried about getting properly bitten. They have sharp little teeth! After a while he will get excited and run over to your hand for a goodie.

When this starts to happen let your hammie walk over your hand but do not move it!!! Let him walk and explore and sniff at you. Hold the treat in the palm of your hand and see if he happily sits there to eat it rather than pinching it and zooming off, then you can slowly lift him a little.

Never lift him too high. Hold him over his cage or a bed, just in case he makes a leap for it.

Hamster taming takes a lot of time and patience. Never chase him around the cage if he doesn't want to be sociable. Talk softly and encouragingly to him and always wash your hands before you handle him. If you smell like a tasty morsel then he might take a bite.

Hamsters have very bad eyesight, so always move slowly around him so as not to make him jump. Give him a change to smell you coming before a big hand looms into view.

You can also use the exercise ball. Put it into his cage and let him walk into it in his own time and then let him have a runaround. It'll show him you aren't a threat.

The bathtub method is also popular. First of all, put the plug into the plug hole!!! Put a towel down on the floor of the bath and then sit in the tub. Let your hamster walk out into the bathtub and sit perfectly still. Let him walk around you and climb over you and explore you until he gets used to you.

Good luck!

PS. Although treats are helpful for hamster taming, try not to let him have too many, just in case he gets an upset tummy or a little too chubby...

Rsclio197 · 03-27-2016, 11:46 AM

Aww he's gorgeous! Congrats! And good on you for taking him to a loving home

.

Cinnamon bear loves these so it won't be long before she's here posting in awe of your new ham

CMB · 03-27-2016, 12:42 PM

Keep taking it slow with the taming. It seems like he is beginning to trust you. It can take a while. It could take longer if he was teased by the pet shop staff.

cypher · 03-27-2016, 11:07 PM

Congrats! Lucifer is lovely

Taming can take some time, if you haven't already do the tissue trick, put some plain toilet paper up your sleeve for a few hours then put it in the cage & do that daily for a while as it helps with getting used to your scent being in the cage & not being a threat.
It does sound as though he had a bit of a rough start in the shop so just go slow.
Hamster balls are quite handy for getting your ham out of the cage or you can just use a big mug or tube but they really are not suitable for dwarf hams to run around in, too dangerous for them & most actually hate them & are trying to escape when you see them running in them!
If you can buy or make a playpen that's much better for giving your ham time out of the cage & for you to have the chance to interact with him more.
You may find he is a lot less liable to bite out of the cage but for now just take your time, offer him treats in the cage & let him slowly get used to you & his new home & you'll see his confidence grow.

Thin Lizzy · 03-28-2016, 01:23 AM

Aww Lucifer is so cute! I did laugh at the pic of him and the food dish, makes him look so tiny.
The tissue trick is a brilliant way to let your ham get use to your smell. Talk loads to him, hams love it and praise to. Take it slowly with him.
I agree that some pet shops aren't great at handling them.

shawniyatwain · 03-28-2016, 01:27 AM

Congratulations

try hand feeding some of his mix, if he knows you give food he will soon learn to trust you

Piebald · 03-28-2016, 01:34 AM

Hi and welcome! Be sure he can use his wheel (I see it filled with substrate) as lack of exercise can cause hams to be grumpy! Good advice above.

BritHamster · 03-28-2016, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piebald

Hi and welcome! Be sure he can use his wheel (I see it filled with substrate) as lack of exercise can cause hams to be grumpy! Good advice above.

Heh yeah I cleaned out his wheel twice before this photo. He seems to just really enjoy filling it up with substrate, because he still isn't used to the wheel, the pet shop not giving him one and just being moved into that cage, I've been letting the little guy either out in his ball or I let him run around in his hamster run.

Thank you all for the advice!! It is really helpful!! Hopefully I'll be able to hold him soon as he's been getting alot closer to my hands!! Thank you