I always say to people who have a new rodent that patience reaps rewards. I did`nt even attempt to handle Scooby for two weeks when he arrived from rescue, but just spoke to him and let him sniff my hand. Offered him a few sunflower seeds by hand, which he gladly took! Two weeks later and he was clambering to get out and be with me.
He`s such a wee darling.
Also, the best way to get a hamster out of the cage and onto your knee, or onto a play area, is to use a chube tube. That way, the hamster is transferred from cage to play area without being handled to begin with and does`nt scare them. It does`nt take long before you can ditch the chube tube and use your hands to `cup` the hamster up gently, with the hamster facing you. If they still seem a little wary, carry on using the chube tube until they are settled and trust you.