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Old 03-24-2021, 03:20 PM   #1
ClaireJ85
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Southeast London, England
Posts: 2
Unhappy Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled

Hi everyone I’m new here and hoping someone can help me please! My husband bought me a Syrian (now 3 months old) and I’ve never had hamsters before so I’m a complete novice and am struggling to him used to be handled. I got him used to taking treats from my fingers and he is happy to be stroked most of the time. I was advised to next put him in the bathtub with me, which I’ve done several times, with familiar toys and treats but he just gets very frantic in there, scratching, biting and pulling at the towels on the bottom of the bath as well as constantly looking up at the sides of the bath the escape. I also try laying a (clean) hand out with treats on so he can get used to walking on my hand but when he’s in the bath he’s not interested in the treats at all (even though they’re his favourite!)
I’m assuming being in there is stressing him out but I’m out of options as to how to handle him? Do I keep trying even though he’s clearly stressed? He’s more than happy to hop into his ball and he’s carried and picked up while he is in there but I want to be able to pick him up with my hands as well. He’s also used to my hand being in the cage so I think he’s used to my smell by now (I have tonight added tissue to his cage with my scent on just in case).
It’s just mastering that step of picking him up with my hands now!. Am I doing something wrong or is he perhaps a hamster who just doesn’t want to be handled, is this possible? I’m spending hours every evening trying to entertain him and make sure he’s happy but I think all he wants to do is eat and run about in his ball! Perhaps I am completely overthinking it and should leave him be but I don’t want to leave it too long that he can never be handled. Any advice would be appreciated!! Thank you 😊
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Old 03-26-2021, 07:28 AM   #2
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled

Hi and welcome to HC!
Congratulations to your new hamster,

Please don't put him in a hamster ball to let him run around in it. This is dangerous and of no benefit to the hamster. A large playpen or hamster proof area is far better. People often think that a hamster enjoys a hamster ball because they walk into it and run in it but it's more likely that they desperately try to get out of it. Their toes can get caught in the small gaps and there is not enough ventilation. They can't use their senses and can't see or smell anything. They are trapped.
A hamster ball is fine as a safe means of transport though.

Bathtub taming didn't work with my Syrians either because they hated it and i stopped it after the first session. I'm not sure what exactly it is they dislike so much about a bathtub.

I found a method that did work but you need a safe area that's big enough for you to sit down with your hamster. Something like a hall with the doors closed is ideal, a very large playpen or part of a room you can hamster proof.

I started off by taking them out and placing them on my lap with a few treats but kept sessions short at first. Then moved on to stroking while they were eating for a few sessions. Then i cupped my hand around their body briefly but let go again for a few sessions. They tried to shake me off at first or whipped their heads round to see what was happening. That's quite normal. Once they tolerated that i lifted them up and gradually increased the height. Then moved on to pick up exercises. I'd pick them up and put them down, they'd run off and just before they were going to run off my legs i'd pick them up and put them down at starting point. Bit of a game and the reward was freedom, when i let them run off my legs to run and sniff around in the safe area i was sitting in.
When picking up a hamster it's important to talk to them and when they are not on you, like on your lap or legs where they can smell you, to make sure they can see you.
I got bitten by a tame hamster once because i quietly, quickly and very stupidly picked him up from behind. He didn't know it was me so felt threatened and turned his head round and bit. Even now i never grab them suddenly and unannounced but make sure they can see me while i call their names.


Also keep in mind that not all hamsters want to come out of their cages every day and they need to be fully awake for taming sessions.
I do have one hamster who does not like to get picked up but he doesn't want any human contact at all, never asks to come out of his cage and doesn't even go near his door. He's not shy or scared and carries on with whatever he's doing even with my hands in his cage cleaning something. I'm allowed to stroke him twice but that's his limit. Any more and he'll dive down the nearest hole not to be seen again for ages.

I don't think that's the case with your hamster though because he takes treats and lets you stroke him.

Every hamster has a different personality and a lot depends on that but you will get to know each other as time goes on.

You'll get there. It's just a matter of finding a method that works for your hamster.
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Old 03-26-2021, 05:40 PM   #3
Shadow Cat
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 156
Default Re: Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled

It took a good 9 months before my Syrian girl could be handled without her trembling. I don't know if she mellowed as she got older or just finally decided to trust me, but I was patient and didn't push it. Even now she doesn't exactly like being held, but sometimes she will run around on my lap for a few minutes and let me weigh her. I always let her come out of the cage door herself, and I sit in such a way that if she wants to go back into her cage she's free to do so. Even though I don't handle her much, she is friendly and I still feel like we have a bond. I'll give her treats from my hands and talk to her (I live alone, I don't have anyone else to talk to!) but she seems to be happier in her cage than out of it.

I advise patience. Good luck.
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Old 03-31-2021, 12:33 PM   #4
ClaireJ85
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Southeast London, England
Posts: 2
Default Re: Struggling to get Syrian used to being handled

Thank you so much for the advice this has really helped!! Harry went into a bit of shock I think after the bathtub incident, as he kept diving back into his bed/hideout whenever I was near the cage, but I’ve managed to build back his confidence in me and I’m hoping I can work on those handling tips you recommended! I have a hallway I can use which will be ideal. It’s reassuring to know it can take a few months as I was worried I’d left it too long but I need to be patient I realise that now. Thanks again to you all, I feel a lot less stressed now. I’ll keep you posted on how I get on!
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