Meet Ghost-The Ghost Files - Page 16

Hamsterita · 08-07-2017, 02:43 AM

I am sorry that you're having difficulties taming Ghost

maybe I should send Blacky to encourage him. Maybe AP is right and a playpen would help, I don't think it matters that you're tall, what matters is that you butt fits inside the playpen, as you can bend your legs more or less to fit. Anyway I think it is ok to try to wake him up in a gentle way for a little bit of interaction, if you don't do that he may get used to only come out when it's dark and no one bothers him, and that way it could be impossible to continue your taming sessions

cypher · 08-07-2017, 04:13 AM

I hope taming begins to get better soon Rads, I'm with the others on the benefits of a playpen tbh, even if you can't sit in it you can sit by it & interact with Ghost far more & he may feel a lot happier in the playpen, it's never easy to tell if they like balls or not but it could be a bit intimidating for him.
Waking them up a little earlier than they normally get up doesn't hurt, just make it worthwhile with a nice treat or food time & they soon get the idea!

Rads · 08-07-2017, 08:11 AM

On thoughts of play pens Thanks AP on your info, I may start using a top of an old cage to start with and then make one from hard board that can fold up and be put out of the way.
Ghost puts up with some stroking but will chatter at me if he isn't in the mood, he will take some treats from my fingers. He is by far the fastest Hammy we have had so far. He seems to be all or nothing..

AprilPearl · 08-07-2017, 08:33 AM

No problem, Rads. With initial taming I actually find that using a smaller area tends to work better. So, I pop the hamster in a taming box (a small storage container about 50cm X 40cm X 30cm at most) and interact with them in there for 10-15 minutes twice a day. I just stroke them and let them get used to my hands. As they become more confident, I try herding them into a corner so that they have to walk over my hand and eventually build up to scooping them up gently. Using this method, most hamsters will tame within a week. Very quickly, I find that they are so used to me that they are climbing up my arms voluntarily!

Rads · 08-07-2017, 09:52 AM

AP
I have not had a hamster take so long to get used to me and become tame, Ghost is quite skittish no matter what is done, it seems quite strange to me, but perseverance is the key I think.

AprilPearl · 08-07-2017, 10:14 AM

Rads in that case, I would definitely recommend the taming box technique. It worked wonders on my first hamster, who must have taken about 2 months to tame! I also find that putting them in a smaller space does tend to reduce skittishness quite dramatically. It takes a few days to see results, but it has always worked for me. Of course, it could not be right for Ghost but I thought I would suggest it anyway.

Don’t be discouraged! He is still a baby and relatively new. I am sure that with time he will settle down and your bond will be all the stronger for having taken time to develop on firm foundations

Rads · 08-07-2017, 10:43 AM

I let Ghost see the treats tin hopefully he will start to associate it with nice things....!

https://youtu.be/o8LMX8ZSClo

Took a short video of him rummaging about in his treats tin

AprilPearl · 08-07-2017, 10:52 AM

Aww he looked overwhelmed (in a good way) by so many nice things!

Ruth Edwards · 08-07-2017, 12:47 PM

Can I get a treat box like that? Not for hams!
How is Ghost with Mrs R? I hope he calms down a bit for you.
Is he a bit calmer when he first wakes bt then he gradually gets faster and faster? I found you can do stuff with them for the bit up til they get really fast.
im sure time will help him calm down

Thin Lizzy · 08-07-2017, 02:24 PM

Rads, you've not had Ghost long, I know you've never experienced this with your other hams but every ham is different, Twinkle was a nightmare and I remember thinking she hates me but, with time and going slow worked and we had such a wonderful bond. Is there a room in your house you could use, I used the hall but at first I partioned part of at first so that Twinkle could get use to it and me and over time I moved the partition, she loved it when I lay on the floor as she'd run up to me have a sniff and run away, this would go on for ages often with me getting the giggles.
I loved the video and the treat tin.