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Old 04-29-2016, 06:53 AM   #1
WinnieThePooh
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Default Scared?

Hey everyone! So I have a Chinese dwarf hamster, and I haven't picked her up yet and it's been a year. I've been trying to pick her up by placing my hand on the bottom of the cage, but when she gets close I yank it back. I'm terrified that she will bite. No taming guides seem to help me. All I want to do is cuddle my baby but my fear is getting in the way of that . Help please!
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:08 AM   #2
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Default Re: Scared?

I have you tried bathtub taming, transport her to the bath in a hamster ball or a mug, let her play in there and then you might be able to sit in there with her eventually, when you feel confident too.
If you are scared of her she is not going to trust you, as animals including hamsters can sense how we feel so if your scared she will more likely will also be scared. So try to think of the positive outcome she may climb onto your hand and not bite you, instead of negative thoughts she will bite. Also try to move slowly around hamsters the faster you move the more likely they will become scared and this could lead to a bite.

However hamster bites are really quite rare, they are more likely to nip which is there way of using their teeth to see determine whether you are food they do make you jump but they rarely draw blood.

But you will need to be patient. Have you hand fed your hamster?
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:08 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Scared?

I think a Chinesey is probably less likely to bite you than any other species tbh & if they do bite it would only be a tiny warning nip if they're scared or have had enough of being handled so you really don't need to be scared, they are gentle souls really!
If you are scared they can pick up on it so try to be brave for her.
Try burying the tips of your fingers in the substrate, put a treat on your palm & she'll probably just walk on to your hand to take it, don't jerk your hand away when she comes near, even if you are nervous as that will just scare her, take a deep breath, stand still & be patient with her!

SKB I wouldn't take a Chinese in the bath, a small plastic bin is probably better for taming, they are very small & very fast so I'd be scared stiff of losing one or squashing one in the bath
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:23 AM   #4
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Default Re: Scared?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
SKB I wouldn't take a Chinese in the bath, a small plastic bin is probably better for taming, they are very small & very fast so I'd be scared stiff of losing one or squashing one in the bath
I wouldn't do bath tub taming then as you don't want to lose or squash your Chinese hamsters. So a plastic box would be safer to use instead.

Thanks Cypher for that information
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:35 AM   #5
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Default Re: Scared?

lol! no we really don't want that

I forgot to say if she does climb onto your hand don't try to lift her straight away as they may scare her, take your time letting her get used to sitting on your hand & getting on & off as she pleases for a while, at least several times over a few days maybe then begin by gently lifting your hand just off the substrate & gently putting her back down again, gradually lift her higher & try cupping one hand over the other so she feels safe, one step at a time & I'm sure you'll both be fine
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Old 04-29-2016, 07:55 AM   #6
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Default Re: Scared?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters View Post
I have you tried bathtub taming, transport her to the bath in a hamster ball or a mug, let her play in there and then you might be able to sit in there with her eventually, when you feel confident too.
If you are scared of her she is not going to trust you, as animals including hamsters can sense how we feel so if your scared she will more likely will also be scared. So try to think of the positive outcome she may climb onto your hand and not bite you, instead of negative thoughts she will bite. Also try to move slowly around hamsters the faster you move the more likely they will become scared and this could lead to a bite.

However hamster bites are really quite rare, they are more likely to nip which is there way of using their teeth to see determine whether you are food they do make you jump but they rarely draw blood.

But you will need to be patient. Have you hand fed your hamster?
Yea, when I place food on my hand and set it down, she takes it and seems fine. It's just when my hand has no food.

Thanks for the help everyone! I will try to be brave for my little Stewie
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:06 AM   #7
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Update:
I placed my hand in the cage, covering my fingertips and things, but she bit me on my thumb and it hurts and stings, no blood though. I tried again and she did it again. She got a little scared when I yanked away, so I'm comforting her and feeding her sunflower seeds. Any tips on how to get her to stop?
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:13 AM   #8
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Default Re: Scared?

So sorry to hear she bit you.
I recommend if she nips to leave her alone as if you place you hand back in she will do it again this is her way of saying she had enough. Don't worry as taming does take a while she will come around if you are patient.

When I had my Russian dwarf hamsters they used to nip every now and again so I started to wear gloves when handling in which stopped them from nipping, so that may be an idea you can try.

Have you done the tissue trick this may get her used to your scent? or you could rub some of her cage substrate on your hand so you smell like her.
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Old 04-29-2016, 08:44 AM   #9
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Default Re: Scared?

Don't give up too easily, make sure you wash your hands really well with an unscented soap before having another go just in case she can smell anything which might cause her to nip.
Yanking your hand away will have scared her but she'll get over it, don't rush it just wait a while & have another go but bury your thumb in the substrate too!
You could try gloves, I've never used them, it may stop her nipping but she won't get used to your hands that way.
If she's used to your hands always offering food she may just be looking for more so just keep trying if you can.
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Old 04-29-2016, 09:42 AM   #10
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Default Re: Scared?

If you haven't handled her in a year it might take quite some time of baby steps to get her to trust you. Feeding her seeds is what I do with my Chinese hammie who also nips. She doesn't want to be handled so I just feed her seeds & handle her only when I need to for cage cleanings. But my hammie is over 2 yrs & has never been handed I'm pretty sure. Since yours is younger I'd just be really patient with her & not give up. Btw I'm still hoping for changes in my Chinesey too as we get to know each other. She may become more social I'm hoping?
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