Trust issues :(

Robodwarfs18 · 05-18-2015, 03:05 PM

So when I got my Syrian recently, I started to tame him. So far he's doing fine it's just that I don't well trust him that much. I'm being honest here because I don't want to pretend I'm someone I'm not cause I'm not the perfect hamster owner but I think that if I ever put my hamster down on the floor, I think he would run away. And if I even let him crawl over me, he'd jump. I'm just very overprotective and worried that this will happen which it might even not! I think it's maybe about my bad experiences with things like this (cause it has happened before). Anyone got any ideas of how I can overcome my fear of this?! Any tips on bonding and trusting my hamster would be great too! Thanks loads! X

**DrKMcK** · 05-18-2015, 03:16 PM

Yes I do! First of all, I think being cautious with a new ham is smart. They most certainly can get away, and an untame ham is that much harder to catch. Lots of folk are anxious about handling a new fluff. The answer? The bath tub. It is the greatest place to start helping a new ham to trust you. This is because you don't have to worry about the hammy getting away, and the hammy gets to be the one to decide how close to get to you at his own pace. How it works is: Plug the tub drain very well and lay a towel down. Have hammy climb into a cup or, better yet, a hammy ball, so you can transport him to the tub. You get in the tub and sit down, then you let hammy out into the tub. Have a few seeds and a toy or two in there and just let him explore. Don't expect anything from him the first time, but let him climb around and over you. Don't try petting him just yet. Do this at least once a day and he will become more comfortable. At the same time you can try Souffle's way of getting a hammy used to touches. Check out her thread on this:

Sparkle's last chance

Just be aware that the hammy, Sparkle, that Souffle had in this thread passed away. But many a ham has benefited from her experience.

Slow down, take your time and the two of you will learn to trust each other.

Robodwarfs18 · 05-18-2015, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

Yes I do! First of all, I think being cautious with a new ham is smart. They most certainly can get away, and an untame ham is that much harder to catch. Lots of folk are anxious about handling a new fluff. The answer? The bath tub. It is the greatest place to start helping a new ham to trust you. This is because you don't have to worry about the hammy getting away, and the hammy gets to be the one to decide how close to get to you at his own pace. How it works is: Plug the tub drain very well and lay a towel down. Have hammy climb into a cup or, better yet, a hammy ball, so you can transport him to the tub. You get in the tub and sit down, then you let hammy out into the tub. Have a few seeds and a toy or two in there and just let him explore. Don't expect anything from him the first time, but let him climb around and over you. Don't try petting him just yet. Do this at least once a day and he will become more comfortable. At the same time you can try Souffle's way of getting a hammy used to touches. Check out her thread on this:

Sparkle's last chance

Just be aware that the hammy, Sparkle, that Souffle had in this thread passed away. But many a ham has benefited from her experience.

Slow down, take your time and the two of you will learn to trust each other.

Thank you!

Thin Lizzy · 05-19-2015, 08:49 AM

Honesty is the best policy, good on you for posting this thread.
There's nothing wrong with feeling a bit wary of your hamster, I was too when I got my first ham years ago.
DrK has given some brilliant advice. It's important that you take things slowly.
Have you tried the tissue trick? Place some tissues up your sleeves for a couple of hours and then place in your hams cage, this let's him get familiar with your smell and also talk as much as possible to him.

Robodwarfs18 · 05-24-2015, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

Honesty is the best policy, good on you for posting this thread.
There's nothing wrong with feeling a bit wary of your hamster, I was too when I got my first ham years ago.
DrK has given some brilliant advice. It's important that you take things slowly.
Have you tried the tissue trick? Place some tissues up your sleeves for a couple of hours and then place in your hams cage, this let's him get familiar with your smell and also talk as much as possible to him.

Thanks!