[Lexieshamster]

It's great you're letting your hammy free range! I think this is the best thing you can do for a hamster. I agree with Jeir that physical contact is great for bonding. Once I had tamed my hamster enough that he was comfortable with me picking him up I started off letting him free range in a small area (I used the sofa and the stairs alternately as theses were both areas I could sit close by and watch over him) so he got used to my presence in a non invasive way like you say. I'd sit still and talk to him gently and stroke him when he came close to me. I always hold him and talk to him for a few minutes first when I get him out and before I put him back. Now I let him free range in my bedroom for an hour or even two or three and sit on a cushion on the floor with my kindle, or computer or something. That way I can give him attention when he comes by to visit me. I put different toys on the floor around where I'm sitting. I also like to play classical music as we both love it. It takes time but gradually you'll build a closer and closer bond with your hamster this way. Put some food and a water bottle nearby (I just hold / offer Neville the water bottle by hand and he drinks from it but you could get or make a holder). Neville gets all excited at playtime, as soon as he hears my voice he stops what he's doing and sniffs the air to check its me then starts running around the cage then I tell him to come up to the door and he runs up his tunnel to the door. Sometimes he sits by the door waiting for me. During playtime he crawls onto my lap, up my body and sits on my shoulder. He's a pet shop hamster and very jumpy when I first got him.