Yet another "How to train" thread

[Hamtastic]

Yeah, several a night is fine. Just keep at it. He needs to be sure that you are not a threat and that your hands generally bear sources of good things rather than some scary things to avoid. Once he starts sniffing your hands a bit, I'd get him to walk into an opened hamster ball or a tube or a cup or anything similar and carry him to your bath tub (lined with a towel). That's so that you're not grabbing him before he's used to you. Once in a bath tub, you can let him run around and adjust. It might take a few sessions (say 20min each a day), and eventually he'll be climbing all over trying to explore. Be careful that he doesn't climb on your head... I find it difficult to control hams there, and they might fall off. Anyway, just don't feel down about the progress, even if it's slow. What's a month or two compared to the future with a tame hamster

[namrufmo]

I just did another session lol.

This time I placed my hand flat on the bottom of the cage. He just ran on his wheel like I wasn't there. careful not to touch me, but not bothered either.

I'll do this until Sunday then I'll try the bath tub. I don't want to stress the lil guy out because I'm scared to death of wet tail!

[Gillzy]

That's great, glad you're being cautious. Take everything at his pace and all will be well. You're doing really well! You've gone from scaredy hamster to ignory-but-cautious hamster in just one night!

[namrufmo]

It still drives me nuts that he wont take a treat from me! I offered him three different types! What kind of hamster does that haha

[Gillzy]

Would you wanna eat food that tastes and smells like "that icky hooman thing that comes into my cage"?

[namrufmo]

Hmm I suppose...maybe he smells ME over the treat...

[Hamtastic]

It's sort of like seeing a strawberry cheesecake next to a sleeping lion. It's sure tempting, but you'll probably walk by carefully

[namrufmo]

OMG I had to come back online and report this....every 45mins or so I'd go by the tank, tank and put my hand in. I've done like five sessions tonight.

I gave my other hammy a piece of wheat cracker - her fav treat. I offered the other half to the new guy. He bit it! I thought he was gonna take it and hold it himself, but he made me hold it. He even sniffed me thumbnail a couple times in between bites.

Such progress tonight!

[Gillzy]

Fabulous! Delighted for you!

[Hamtastic]

Great work!