Help with taming a scared / bitey ham! - UPDATE.

[Melon]

My boyfriends brother bought a male syrian a few weeks ago and he's turned out to be very nasty and absolutely terrified of everything. He will jump onto his back and get ready to bite if you go near the cage and he has bitten a couple of people already - drawing blood in the process.

Now because he is like this, they've decided they don't want anything to do with him and were even thinking about letting him out in the garden! I couldn't let that happen and so have taken up the challenge of having him myself.

The poor thing had a REALLY bad start to his new home (not me... when he was first brought) He chewed through the box he was carried home in, bit the person holding him, who then threw him across the car (!) and he was running around the car floor til they reached home. He was then left running in his exercise ball while they got his cage sorted (after I told them to do it quickly - they hadn't got a clue) THEN a couple of days later he was put into his ball - which broke in half and the ham was chased by a dog around the room.

So not surprising he is scared stiff!

Is it possible that he can be tamed after all of this? If so - what are the best methods for me doing this? He is also VERY fast and will just make a suicide leap if he goes on your knee. I have a playpen thing, which I will try when I get him.... is wearing gloves a good idea? Or does he need to get used to my smell?

Will appreciate any kind of advice!

x x x

[Bourne Valley Hams]

Oh dear Melon - what a poor little scared thing! :cry:
Over the years we have taken in many scared little creatures, and others who have got into very bad habits. We have never had a Syrian yet that we have not managed to win over eventually, but some have taken a lot of patience and several months.
Pophammy has written a lovely article on taming which you can find by following the Hamster info links at the top of the page.

[souffle]

Poor little man. He has had a scarey start to life and is likely to be still very frightened. It will just take time and patience and I am so glad you have him now Melon. He will learn to trust you I know.
Here is the link in case you can't track it
http://www.hamstercentral.com/user.php? ... ticle&a=44 (http://www.hamstercentral.com/user.php?action=viewArticle&a=44)
Make sure you give him a few days with the scented tissues in his cage then start the taming. Best of luck to you melon and ask any questions.

[sarahh]

Poor little man what an awful start in life no animals deserves that. Talk about cruelty to animals thats sick and being chased by the dog too.

It is possible he can be tamed but you will need to be patient offer food and talk to him. When you get him out into a ball maybe just stroke him gently. He is turning on his back because he is so terrified and also because of the bad start in life he has had.

It is going to take patience and time. you will get there.

Best of luck to you

Sarah x

[xkaytix]

Aw poor hamster. It will just take time and patience. Just give him treats etc til he can trust you and get used to you. It has taken us a few months to get Oscar out of his cage without him drawing blood! Good luck

[Maisydae]

what a hard time the little guy has had, i hope that he manages to settle down and enjoy some cuddles eventually :) .

[sarahh]

Hi ya I forgot to add last night I adopt and nervous and noisy hammy from P@H about a month ago he is wonderful now he loves cuddles also ran round the bathroom floor last night he loved that catching him was a problem lol kept running off or hiding behind the loo.

[Melon]

Hey, just letting you know that I have got Hammibal (that's his name :x ) settled in... he's a lot happier and doesn't jump everytime he hears a noise... he even comes to the front of the cage when I'm there now to say hello! He hasn't bit me.... tho has gently rested his teeth on me lol. So good news so far! Haven't managed to hold him properly yet as he makes a leap for it when I get hold of him but I'll keep trying 8)

x x x x x x x x

[souffle]

Well done Melon. You are making great progress and he is starting to trust you. Keep up the good work and we will be seeing him happily out playing with you soon :D

[babyboos]

Hey, just letting you know that I have got Hammibal (that's his name :x ) settled in... he's a lot happier and doesn't jump everytime he hears a noise... he even comes to the front of the cage when I'm there now to say hello! He hasn't bit me.... tho has gently rested his teeth on me lol. So good news so far! Haven't managed to hold him properly yet as he makes a leap for it when I get hold of him but I'll keep trying 8)

x x x x x x x x
that is great news indeed
oh well done and keep up the good work

[crawleytown]

Love the name! :D. With time and patience he will defeinitly eventaully be tame and friendly!

[Melon]

Here he is!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v58/xxTotsxx/Hammibal.jpg

Look's innocent :shock: x x x

[Spuds Mum]

He does look innocent indeed, but look at that cheeky twinkle in his eye! :wink: He is beautiful, and great work on the taming front :D
PS - love the name :lol: