Starting from Scratch

[poeyswifey]

Sorry I haven't been on it time, been busy! (lol)

I have decided to start from scratch with taming mercedes everything I have been advised to do isn't working and it's getting rather frustrating when i am been bitten 2 or 3 times a day.

My fella has decided to help me (though he dosen't like her as she is so nasty.)

He started helping me tonight, by sitting besides me and making sure i dont show im scared or drop her, as i am now terrified of her. I really wish i wasn't but its how i got.

Her bites really hurt to and when you are getting 2 or 3 each day it starts getting you down.

My partner told me try with socks on my hands and she didnt bite she was jumpy but thats it! She is so stubborn its unberleavable.

I just really want to start trusting her and it is so cruel not getting her out but getting the other 2 out infront of her she just sits and watches with sad eyes.

I just dont know why it is taking forever to tame her and why i am so scared of a little fluffy cute hamster!!!

[KatiePillow]

I just adopted a little guy, and he bit me really hard..right on the knuckle..my first bite where blood has been drawn...I instantly got nervous of him,
Luckily my boyfriend (Pillow on here) really helped me,
I held a little sprig of millet in my hand (although, with her being a syrian, you'd need a different treat, one she likes, but which she can eat from your hand) I held it pinched between my fingers (on a stalk, so he wouldn't have an excuse to bite me) and in doing so, when he ate the millet, he had to sniff my hand, and get used to my smell.
I fed him 3 sprigs of it in a row, then put my hand for him to sniff...you may be worried that she'll bite when you do it, but try and be confident.

If she has a seed stick or something, hold it in one hand, and tempt her with it, while making a little platform with your hand for her to stand on try and keep your hand steady, this should help her associate you with good things.

I did this to Alphonse like..twice a day, starting completely from scratch (because he was fully matured and very bitey, I thought it was best to be intensive with it)
it really worked for Alphonse, today he walked onto my hand with no bribe for the first time :)

Hope things work out for you and Mercades.

[poeyswifey]

Thank you and mercedes is fully matured to and she has had a litter before, every time she draws blood but mckenzie and sugar are the most tamest hammies i know as mckenzie will take the treat so soft same as sugar where as mercedes catches my fingers and snatches and i can trust the other 2 to walk on my bed and wonder round cuz i know they wont try run off of corse i keep an eye out thlugh but mercedes if i put her down on my bed then she tries runn off and if i try catch her then she bites me she is up now so i am going to try now i hope it goes well i am so nervouse all nready

[KatiePillow]

Just try not to be nervous..she just needs time, and feed her something where she doesn't have an excuse to bite, like..something with a stick or something you hold onto.
My hamster sandy doesn't like being picked up when she's just popping out for food, so make sure mercedes is awake..
and take it slow..ignore how tame the other two are, every hamster is different. :)

[poeyswifey]

Well i have just handled her and used your method. I gave her 3 before she came out so she could sniff my hand after and when i put her back i gave her 3 to say welldone. She tasted me but didn't bite me once :) i am proud of her but now she wants to come back out now she hanging on the door biting the door lol

[KatiePillow]

:) that's awesome. I'd do that again this evening maybe? I know it seems unhealthy to give them so many treats, but it's all about positive reinforcement, just teach her that your hand means she gets yummy foods,
Also, try and go slowly, like..no sudden movements as they can be a bit scary for them..
And soon you can cut down on the treats again, as soon as she learns you're not scary :)

[Hope]

Sounds like its all goign well. If you are worried about giving so many treats, there are some healthy alternatives like carrott or cumcuber that you can try too :-)

[KatiePillow]

Yeah, I trained alphonse using millet, but I know that syrians aren't as interested in it as dwarves, you're probably better at syrian training treats than me >.<

[Hope]

Hahaha!! Just read my last post - major dyslexia moment there!! I meant carrot or cucumber (not cumcuber! what goes on in my head! :-? )

[KatiePillow]

O.O
I didn't even notice the typo till you pointed it out..but wow o.o;;

[poeyswifey]

SUCCESS EVERYONE!!!

She is coming out with out treats and with out biting me or shaking.
She still is abit stiff though but other than that she always wants to come out!!!

[KatiePillow]

That's great...:) hope she loosens up :)