A break through with Gizmo - a taming tale.

[Polo]

Gizmo is about 6 months old now, I've had him for 4 of those months (how time flies!!!) It's taken us a long time but he is finally becoming tame (not completely but we are getting there).

He's not completely tame by any stretch and if he isn't in the mood he will go and hide in one of his 'safe' places where he knows he can't be reached. I've always been careful about not 'invading' these areas so he can feel safe in them. When he is ready though he will walk up to his cage door and sit and stare out. He doesn't run away when I open the door. He still won't walk out of his cage onto my hand but if I offer him my arm he will venture out onto that. He often does a little dance at the door, stepping out and back in several times, I suspect due to nerves. Sometimes he won't walk out at all but is happy for me to scoop him up out of his doorway and doesn't try to duck out of my hands.

Once he's out of his cage, he's happy to be held and run from hand to hand or just sit. He hates his ball, whenever I have put him in it he just sits, after a few attempts I decided that free runs were best for him. He loves a bit of sofa time where he just runs about on me, my OH and any toys I put out in-between us whilst we're watching tv. He also loves his playpen, I've never seen him as active as when he is in there.

When i put him back, he always gets a treat. Sometimes I just give him one and on the odd occasion, I pass him the box so he can choose which one he fancies.

I've noticed that there have been a lot of threads about Syrian taming recently. I thought it might be nice for the people who are finding the taming process as long as I am, that it will happen eventually with a little patience and a lot of time and love. Gizmo still has a ways to go but he has come so far and I am so proud of the progress he has made.

[jesselle]

sounds great to me, well done to you and gizmo

i've found that with my winter white coco, i had to mix in a little 'forced' out time, so that i could give rewards once back in the cage/let her find treats in the playpen. mixed with respect for her space and respecting the speed she wanted to go at, it's worked

lucky gizmo to have such a considerate owner!

[POLAR WHITES]

sound like you are getting there with your hammy.

[DrKMcK]

Hi Polo, it is so important for people to understand that they aren't doing anything wrong when their hammy doesn't tame right away. So, sharing your experience really helps new owners recognize that it's fine to allow hammy to hide if he/she needs to and that allowing as much time as hammy needs is the best way to go. Gizmo is one lucky ham to have a mom who respects his furry little self.

[Polo]

Ah, thank you. I have to admit, when I first got him, a few months ago, there were a few 'forced outings. I used to feed him treats in his cage regardless of his position but after a while I would only give him treats if he came to the door of his cage, I had to lead him there a few times, but then he would come to the door to get his treat and he's been a little easier to get out since then.

He still has a ways to go because there are still some days he doesn't want to come out and goes to sit in his 'safe' place so I just leave it unless its cleaning day, in which case he doesn't have a choice, he needs to come out.

I received his new HH base tray from P@H finally. He is the happiest little boy in that cage, thank you!!!

[Polo]

I feel like we're getting there Polar Whites.

Thank you DrKMcK, I thought it would be nice to share. I remember how frustrated I felt at first when Gizmo wouldn't come anywhere near me. I know I felt most frustrated when he would run off to his corner or bed but I knew he would just be even more afraid of me if I invaded those areas. I know how worrying it can be thinking you're doing something wrong, thank you. It's nice to know people think my post was worthwhile for those who are still working at the taming business (myself included).