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Old 04-29-2017, 10:09 AM   #1
HamsterCrazy1
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 74
Default Taming tips?

Hey ya'll! Anyone got any hammy taming tips for me? I just got a male Syrian last night, and of course I want to let him settle and not do too much with him. He was in a pet shop and wasn't handled very much. So far he's been doing alright although he's bit me a few times (I'm assuming out of nervousness/fear), and I'm gonna leave him alone for another day or two, but when I do try handling him again, does anyone have any tips for me?
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:16 AM   #2
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Taming tips?

Definitely let your hamster have a settling period first.This means absolutely no handling for the entire period,and only adding food or water as needed.Settling periods vary greatly but in most cases hamsters end up doing best with a week or more to settle,despite the recommended 3 day period(which isn't always enough).

Make sure to reward positive behavior.This means not putting hamsters back in their cage right after biting(which can reinforce negative behavior),along with rewarding positive interactions with healthy treats.

In general animals learn through positive reinforcement.This means a hamster will learn the same way as a horse,dog,cat,rabbit,guinea pig,bird,etc.The more positive association a hamster has with their owner,the easier it usually is for them to be handled.In the same way,you can train various animals to do various actions through the same positive reinforcement method
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:17 AM   #3
AprilPearl
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Default Re: Taming tips?

You should really leave him alone in his cage for a few days after getting him before trying to handle him or touch him at all as that will stress him out.

At first, you can try sitting by his cage and talking to him so that he gets used to your voice and scent.

After that, you can try getting him to take treats from you. When he will do that, you can put a few in the palm of your hand and wait to see if he will come to you.

If you have a playpen or playbox, you can put him in there while you get used to each ither. Never for more than 10-15mind at a time at first. Let him run over your hands to become accustomed to you. Put a cup on its side onto the ground. When he climbs into it, hold it slightly above the ground and make a bridge down with your hand to the floor. That will help he get used to being in you.

You may have already heard of the tissue trick. Put some unscented toilet paper into your sleeves for a few hours and put it into his cage to get him used to your scent.

The key thing is to go at his pace. Take your queues from him. If he is shivering, chattering his teeth, biting, running away, playing dead etc - obviously, back away and try again later.

By the way, does your little guy gave a name yet?
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:37 AM   #4
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Re: Taming tips?

Thank you both for your answers I haven't heard of the tissue trick, I will definitely try it though! He doesn't have a name yet. Anyone have any ideas? I'm gonna go check the name thread out..
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:38 AM   #5
dreamtree1234
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Default Re: Taming tips?

HamsterCrazy1, congrats on getting your Syrian! By the way, what is your hammy's name?

Although, I am sorry he has bitten you a few times already. Unfortunately from my experience where I live, hammies from pet stores tend to not be handled frequently which makes them tend to be more skittish and take a slightly longer time to tame. As far as taming is concerned, I will definitely suggest taking things slow after a period of settling in and letting your hammy decide when to proceed with each and every step. Note that sometimes after progressing, hammies may regress a step or two at times. This is not to be disheartened by though as it is common at times depending on the confidence level and personality of your particular hamster. I would make sure that you have plenty of substrate in your hammy's home and provide many hiding areas as possible to make your hamster feel more secure and content in his home. I would also speak to him in a soft and calming voice as often as possible (even if your hamster isn't out and about from his nest) so he can become accustomed to hearing your voice. I would use the tissue trick for several days. Basically, you place an unscented tissue in your sleeve for several hours so it will acquire your scent. Then you place it into your hammy's home so they can come to realize that your scent is nonthreatening and become familiar with it on a regular basis. I would also slowly place my hand in the hamster's home a few times a day to offer it treats. If your hamster doesn't eat directly from your hand, just place it next to him and remove your hand gently with soothing words of reassurance. When it is time to take your hamster out of the cage, if it is showing any signs of fear, uncertainty, or unwillingness, I would use a container or tube for it to climb into voluntarily. I would do this a few times to let you hammy gain extra confidence in being lifted out of the cage/bin. After that goes well for a few times, I would then try to use my hand to lift my hammy out of his home. I would also try to place him in a secure and hamster proof area such as a bathtub lined with a towel or a playpen to run and explore with many hiding places and me interacting with him.

As I stated previously, please do realize that each step should be taken slowly and progress to the next only when he is ready. Good luck with the taming process, and I look forward to hearing any updates that you can post whenever you have a chance.
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Old 04-29-2017, 10:50 AM   #6
HamsterCrazy1
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Default Re: Taming tips?

Thank You! I've given him treats and he'll take them right from my hand, and when I took him out he was fine to crawl all over me, and when I offered him to go into a tube or house he didn't want to. I think I've got him started, but he does get scared sometimes still. I will take ya'lls advice and keep things slow and gentle with him.
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