Yet another "How to train" thread

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 12:52 PM

I've always adopted adult hammies in the past. They were all very mellow and never bit. This time, however, I adopted a 7 week old little boy!

He's been in his new house for 2 1/2 days. I talk/sing to him every night but the sound of my voice seems to scare him a little.

Last night I put my hand in the tank (not close to him) and he ran to the other side of the tank.

I tried to feed him a number of snacks and he won't take them.

What should I do now? Every hammy in the past has at least let me touch them right away.

How long before I try to touch? Etc etc.....

Gillzy · 08-25-2011, 01:01 PM

I'd just take it a step back. Keep with the talking for a while. And leave your hand in the cage just dangling/resting on the floor for like half an hour. He's a young'un and just moved into a new home. He doesn't yet know how he feels about anything (unlike older hams) so it'll just take a while. And of course some hams just take a bit longer than other. Sen was quite a fraidy thing when she came to me. But I was patient and kind, and persevered! Now she's BEGGING for attention every night.

Hang on in there!

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 01:03 PM

Ok so tonight I'll hang my hand over the edge just a little and keep talking. What do I do if he acts scared? Stop? Keep my hand there?

Gillzy · 08-25-2011, 01:07 PM

As long as he's not exhibiting majorly stressed behaviour (in which case you remove your hand) just leave it and see if he calms down with it not moving. Hopefully he'll either get used to it being there - and even better he'll get curious and investigate. Good luck!

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 01:17 PM

Would running to the other side and hidin gbehind his igloo count as major stress?

Yes I'm a pain but I don't want to mess this up!

Gillzy · 08-25-2011, 01:51 PM

I think if he's just sitting there, it's okay. He's just hiding. But if he starts shaking/biting things/digging furiously/squeaking... I think those are signs of serious stress. Be sure you're not blocking any path to food or water. And stick to a corner. So he still has the majority of the cage. It may help taking him out of the cage and into a "neutral" territory. But I'd say only go as far as you are both comfortable with (i.e. if you feel you've been "scaring" him for too long, stop). Baby steps.

Hopefully, if I'm giving out terrible advice here another member will jump in! Haha

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 02:26 PM

Thanks...I'll try it tonight when he wakes up and let you know

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 04:53 PM

Well he just woke up. I started by talking to him for a while - I actually told him about my day! Then I dangled my hand over the edge so it was about 4" off the ground. He pretty much ignored me and kept running on his wheel.

I gave him a honey stick and he nibbled on it ignoring my hand. I then moved and let him sniff my knuckle. Again he did nothing.

I upped it by offering him a treat from my hand...he sniffed it but refused to take it.

:/

Gillzy · 08-25-2011, 05:11 PM

PROGRESS!

HOORAY! He's learning that you're not going to hurt him.

That's great. He's curious about you, and it's only a matter of time before the curiosity becomes too much and he'll walk onto your hands.

But for now. Work on just having your hand flat (with or without food - if he genuinely doesn't seem interested in treats, then don't force them on him) and work on getting him to come onto your hand.

Now he's not hiding from you you can start the bath tub method.

(sit in the bath with him - empty of course - and let him run around on you. Not forcing your hands on him, but just letting him smell you.

)

namrufmo · 08-25-2011, 05:31 PM

How often should I do this? Is it ok to have several brief "sessions" per night - again a slong as he doesnt seem stressed.