Need help taming new Winter white

[Podsy]

Hi! I have just got my first hamster, a little dwarf winter white, but I am not having much luck with taming him. I got him nearly 2 weeks ago, and after a couple of days to settle in his cage I have tried to handle him every evening. But he just runs round and round his cage or hides! When I finally catch him he wont let me hold him, far too wriggly! He will take food from me in the cage and will sometimes climb on to my hand, but as soon as I move he runs off! His cage has lots of hidey holes and tubes, so once I catch him I put him in an old baby bath, which I have made into a playpen for him, so he is easier to get close to, but he just seems scared of me. Any suggestions please, I am a complete hamster novice!?

[fluffymunchkins]

Firstly, Welcome to you and your ham :D
Some hamsters take longer and a little more effort than others, but you sound like you have made progress.
Its good you've tryed the bath already, but you may want to try waiting for him to come to you instead of catching him or trying to pick him up.
Sit in it with him and let him explore your lap and get used to yourpresence if he wishes.
Offer your hand layed flat on the ground for him to come over and sniff if he wishes.
Maybe with a little food or a treat to encourage him you mean nice things.

After a while you can try scooping him up or pick him up if he goes on your hand, for very short amounts of time at first. Then, gradually increasing the time you hold him.

Theres some great taming tips in the wiki section

[fluffymunchkins]

here we go: Taming tips - Hamster Central WIKI (http://www.hamstercentral.com/wiki/Taming_tips)

[RachK]

Podsy, we have two WW. They do take a while to tame but once they are, they are super friendly.

This might seem daft, but this worked with both of ours. Get in a dry bath with your hammy and just sit still, let him explore you and climb over you to get used to your scent. Don't make any sudden moves.

The baby bath sounds great for a playpen, just keep placing your hand palm up and again let him explore. It will be worth it in the end. They are fab little hamsters.

Good Luck

[Podsy]

Thank you for your replies and encouragment. The taming link was good. Think I will go a bit slower! I am just being impatient because he is so cute and I want to hold him!

[shadykkay]

my hammy bit eme if i enter there cage so they have a totlie tube they walk in and i pick it up they walk on my hand but one bite so i have a towel on my hand till he not biting maybe this might be a good idea

[Podsy]

Thankfully little Cutie doesn't really bite!

[*karley*]

keep us posted on how you get on!

I've just been given three winter whites (father and two boys -seven weeks) I've never had ww's before so I'm really nervous about holding them, they're so small compared to other hammies I've had. I'm worried I'll be too rough with them!! I'm at the same stage as you I think they're still only sniffing me and wont have a proper sit yet.

Patience is a virtue though!!

good luck x

[RachK]

keep us posted on how you get on!

I've just been given three winter whites (father and two boys -seven weeks) I've never had ww's before so I'm really nervous about holding them, they're so small compared to other hammies I've had. I'm worried I'll be too rough with them!! I'm at the same stage as you I think they're still only sniffing me and wont have a proper sit yet.

Patience is a virtue though!!

good luck x

Karley we have two in our house. They are fab hamsters once tamed. They are pretty little tough critters too :) I would say Huxley is fully tame now & I have had him approx 10 weeks. :)