Picking up ...

[Hannah]

Hiya. I've had pippa for roughly 3 weeks now and I got her from a breeder so she has been handled since she was small. She seems to be happy to be handled and runs in my hands happily. The only problem that I seem to have is picking her up when she is still in the cage. I can scoop her up easily when she is on my knee but when she is in the cage it's easier for her to climb into a tube and lift that out. I don't want to get into this habit though. Does anyone have any tips for picking her up in the cage? XxX

[Katty_Sheldon]

Hi! My hamster hated it and used to run all over the cage to avoid my hand and picking up from above. He hated it from the pet shop. I was simply persisting and I kept approaching him slowly from the side with my hand and then i picked him up He got used to it. Best to practice it in the bathroom tub for example (closed) - you sit with her in there and you let her run all over you and you practice picking up - she can jump, but she wont jump too much because you are both in the tub! That way she will get used to it and then you can get her used to it also in the cage. Good luck!

[Podling]

Try putting a hand on each side and scooping them under her? Or possibly having a treat on your hand and moving it further up your hand so she has to climb on to get it... I wouldn't worry too much about it though, many people on here scoop their hamsters up in something, hamsters can be very protective of their cages and nervous of unusual things like hands in them...

[KutButLykee]

:/ Well Luckily your Hamster doesnt seem to be biting.. Because one of MY Dwarfs everytime you put your hand in the Cage she tries to nip/Bite it.. Yet her Sister(Who Lives with her) Is the Tamest Dwarfie Ever! Hmm.. I just think her Sister is VERY Territorial.. I just think if she is scared.. just keep going at it.. Maybe place a Treat on/in your HAnd until she Climbs into your Hand then Scoop her up,or Lift her out of the Cage? If that doesnt Work.. Just keep doing what your doing and give her ALOT of Handling time.. and maybe place her back in the Cage then pick her back up? A Few Times of doing this she may become used to the whole experience.. Or Maybe close her in a little are in her cage out of boxes.. Bedding..Toys etc. then Simply attempt too Scoop her up? If she becomes too Stressed just leave her be.. And keep Trying xx

[Hope]

Yeah I would recomend the scooping method as its less like a preditor comming down on them, or you could try leaving your hand flat on the cage and see if she will climb on herself.

[suga]

I very rarely pick up a hamster from inside the cage - unless the lid is off and she is just in the base. If you are unable to encourage then i would continue with the transfer method.

[Iluvhamsters]

I agree with KutButLykee, when putting Pippa back in her cage after play time, try picking her up again straight away, put her down again and immediately picking her up again. Do this several times after each handling session and hopefully she should get the idea

[Hannah]

Thanks for the ideas everyone. I have tried the treats method but I only have small hands and she only needs to put one paw on my hand to reach the treat even if it's right in the centre. I'll try the idea if picking her up when I put her back and will continue scooping her up during handling and hopefully she will get used to me XxX