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Dessi · 12-09-2019, 03:43 PM

I don’t know why he does it, it might be a territorial thing.

It might be worth it to try and train it out of him. Have a bowl of sunflower seeds on hand, or another small treat he likes, and present your flat hand. If he doesn’t nip, say «*good boy*» and immediately hand him a sunflower seed in between your fingers of the other hand (the reward has to be immediate so be ready in advance).

Repeat that a few times a day. If he nips, no treat and don’t say anything. Just go away and come try a while later. If he succeeds, don’t overdo it and set him to fail. Just stop for now.

I think it might work. Just make sure he doesn’t eat too many sunflower seeds, they’re fat. Use the smaller ones and find something else he likes.

12-09-2019, 03:43 PM
Dessi Hamster Pup Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 133	Re: Nipping becoming worse I don’t know why he does it, it might be a territorial thing. It might be worth it to try and train it out of him. Have a bowl of sunflower seeds on hand, or another small treat he likes, and present your flat hand. If he doesn’t nip, say «good boy» and immediately hand him a sunflower seed in between your fingers of the other hand (the reward has to be immediate so be ready in advance). Repeat that a few times a day. If he nips, no treat and don’t say anything. Just go away and come try a while later. If he succeeds, don’t overdo it and set him to fail. Just stop for now. I think it might work. Just make sure he doesn’t eat too many sunflower seeds, they’re fat. Use the smaller ones and find something else he likes.