Taming progress.

[Gemma_xo]

Since no one I know really cares (I've tried to tell people with a reply of "Gemma, really...? I don't really care... Hamsters aren't my thing), I figured the forums would be a great place to put this, since we're all Hamster people

After weeks and weeks of bites from Pixie (in and out of her cage) today I managed to get her into her play pen with no bites at all and she climbed into my hand of her own free will many times (I actually lost count!). Some efforts were rewarded with a sunflower seed but most weren't (but plenty of praise throughout) but that didn't seem to phase her at all, thankfully.

Since June her little personality has flourished tenfold, especially the past week or so with regular visits to her play pen. She even goes straight into her ball simply just for transport, which is specifically amazing in my opinion because to begin with I was waiting 5/10 minutes for her to finally decide to get into the ball to begin with, and even then she'd often shoot straight out when I tried to pick the ball up to move her!

For the first time since I got her on the 27th June 15, I finally feel like taming is working with her. She responds to her name, runs around her cage eagerly when she knows I'm near it when she's awake (I always make a point to talk to her from a distance then slowly go to her cage, rarely put my hand in because she's not a fan of that at all, my fingers have learnt that the hard way!). When I'm next to her cage talking to her, she comes to the edge and sniffs at me, it's adorable!

Tonight's progress has shown me all the, blood, sweat, tears, nibbles, bites, claw marks, trips to and from the bath, trips to and from the play pen, even for a few minutes are really starting to pay off.

With Pixie being my first Hamster I felt slightly like I threw myself in at the deep end, learning about Hamster care AFTER I decided I wanted a Hamster, but now looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

If any newbie to Hamster taming does read this, I do hope they (like me) stick at the attempts of taming, it will be slow progress but in the end you'll see leaps and bounds in your Hamster's behaviour! I wanted to give up so many times but figured in the end Pixie and I would both benefit from not giving up, and we did! She seems so much happier and less scared of me, which I think is amazing considering the size difference between me and her. I am super proud of her and it's a great feeling knowing our hard work is paying off.

A massive thank you to everyone who has replied to all of my random nonsense question posts. You've all helped tenfold

Huuuuge hugs all round from me
x

[Itstheodorebearpls]

This is so awesome and inspirational! I'm so happy you've come to such a great place wit your hamster

[Piebald]

What a lovely post thanks so much for sharing!

[cypher]

Well done Gemma, & Pixie too, great to hear how far you've come & how well things are going now

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Awh Gemma that's brilliant 😊 so happy for you! My hammie is tame in that he allows me to handle him but I've only had him 4 weeks tomorrow and we haven't quite bonded yet. He runs away if I try to lift him and is a bit nervous still. It takes time as you've found out. I'm sure it's not nice being bitten all the time 😢 thankfully fudge doesn't bite at least not yet and hope he doesn't! well done for taking it slow and being gentle with him. This forum is great for all sorts of taming advice. I used the toilet paper trick when I got him and he didn't shake as much when I held him, we've sort of went back a little bit. So must do it again. Just recently made a playpen out of cardboard and last night was the first I had him in it but I got into it with him so that he could crawl over me though that didn't happen much. Just have to keep talking to him and bringing him out even for a few moments every night. I have a cat and unfortunately she was in my room when I came home (I've been keeping the door closed to keep her out and thankfully fudge is housed in a bin cage) I think it scared him a lot so when I went to talk to him and calm him down he was doing the teeth grinding thing and wouldn't let me lift him out for cuddles. Had to leave it for a while. Woke at 2 and then spent a bit of time with him. So glad you have bonded, there is nothing like it when they are excited to see you and get out for cuddles and fun. I know for me I'm not quite there yet but can't expect too much as its early days. This is my first hammie in about 10 years lol So I myself I'm getting used again to hamster keeping!

[Shannonmcn]

This was a lovely post Gemma, you and Pixie are doing so well together! Slow and steady progress is just the way to do it too!