Taming/calming a Syrian

[hamster mum]

I've taken on two Syrians, who were until recently living together. Since splitting them the girl who was already the more timid of the two has become more even more timid. I've had her out every day in an empty bath with me, but instead of calming down and getting used to being around me, she's getting as far away from me as possible and leaping constantly at the side of the bath to escape. She was so scared she actually growled at me today, I'm pretty sure it was just a bluff, but she was getting really distressed so I took her back to her cage to calm down.
It is a bit of an upset getting her out of the cage in the first place as she hides in her wheel, it's a wodent wheel and I've attached it to the bars to make it less noisy, so she can go to ground in it and I can't just lift the entire wheel out.

Are there any other methods anyone can suggest to get her used to being handled by people, and to hopefully start to enjoy the interaction? I think I might have found the perfect home for her, but I wouldn't like to let her go if she can't be held without getting so upset.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd step back completely. Give her time to settle in her cage and get used to you being around before you try and start the taming. If you leave her be for a few days, then start talking by the cage, then when she's confident start taming all over from there

[hamster mum]

Originally Posted by kyrilliondaemon

I'd step back completely. Give her time to settle in her cage and get used to you being around before you try and start the taming. If you leave her be for a few days, then start talking by the cage, then when she's confident start taming all over from there

Now I think about it I think I probably have been trying to push this too quickly. She's had a lot of changes in her life recently. I will give her a few weeks of getting used to her new life then start again with small steps, offering her treats from my hands etc, thanks kyrilliondaemon .

[kyrilliondaemon]

I hope starting over with small steps works well for her, good luck

[Skeever]

How long ago is 'recently'?

peace

[hamster mum]

Originally Posted by Skeever

How long ago is 'recently'?

peace

It will be a week tomorrow, so she really was pushed too quickly if I'm honest.

Her mum loves human company and literally runs to the cage door and climbs onto my shoulder, so I will let the timid girl chill out, and just observe her from a distance for a while. If she never comes round then that's ok too, I've owned hands off hamsters before so if she stays she will still be loved, but I've discussed her nervousness with her possible new owner and they are ok with it as well. Hopefully it won't come to that though, it would be nicer for her if she could gradually learn to interact, safer also really as it would be better be able to check them both over for lumps, bumps or other health issues .

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'm glad the possible new owner is ok with her being nervous