Bath sessions (Update)

Amy x · 01-20-2016, 01:37 PM

I have been getting in the bath with Timmy but tonight and yesterday night he has started to get a bit nippy. He has attempted to bite me several times tonight but I just slowly pulled my hand away.do you think he is behaving like this because I have rushed it ? I've sat outside the bath now and I'm just going to let him run around by himself for the rest of this session. I do feel bad if I have set back the progress of taming him and I was wondering if there was any tips on how I could maybe get back to where I was before; sat in the bath with him comfortably climbing over me.
He wasn't quite comfortable with me stroking him either and tonight he was a little less resistant but he still wasn't comfortable with me touching him.
And also I have tried putting my hand flat in the bath but he just comes up and starts trying to bite me! I'm not really sure what to do?
All replies are noticed
Thank you x

Coco61 · 01-21-2016, 12:23 PM

Hi Amy, I am sorry that you feel you have made little progress. I would not try touching or stroking him until he is happy with your hand. Have you been using the tissue trick to get him used to your scent? Put plain white loo paper up your sleeve for a couple of hours to get your scent on it. Then tear it into strips and leave it for him to use as bedding.
In the bath he may be still young and lively and enjoy exploring. I would sit in there but not use your hands to touch him until he is happy running over you again. Later you could offer him treats on a flat hand in the bath and see if he will take then without biting you. Don't confuse this with a light nip that could just be confusing you with food.
As said earlier to you, don't rush things. If you think you may have done this and scared him, then take a step back and start again.
Don't be discouraged. It takes time and every little ham is different.
Keep us updated!

HenriandHobieHammies · 01-21-2016, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coco61

Hi Amy, I am sorry that you feel you have made little progress. I would not try touching or stroking him until he is happy with your hand. Have you been using the tissue trick to get him used to your scent? Put plain white loo paper up your sleeve for a couple of hours to get your scent on it. Then tear it into strips and leave it for him to use as bedding.
In the bath he may be still young and lively and enjoy exploring. I would sit in there but not use your hands to touch him until he is happy running over you again. Later you could offer him treats on a flat hand in the bath and see if he will take then without biting you. Don't confuse this with a light nip that could just be confusing you with food.
As said earlier to you, don't rush things. If you think you may have done this and scared him, then take a step back and start again.
Don't be discouraged. It takes time and every little ham is different.
Keep us updated!

I totally agree with Coco on this one... what species of hamster is little Timmy? I learned to tame my ham(I was having the exact same problem) from Erin (Erinshamsters on youtube)

Amy x · 01-26-2016, 01:30 PM

I've made progress!I've had to stay out of the bath because I've sprained my ankle but instead I have been laying my hand flat on the bath and he has been trying to climb up my arm, I let him get around halfway to my elbow then slightly tilt my arm so it's harder for him to grip to my skin, I then offer him my othe hand to climb on and he will keep repeating this until he walks of my hand. Even though it's a little progress I feel like it's actually a lot for me, considering he is my first hamster.
HenriandHobieHammies he is a syrian,around 2/3 months old
Thank you x

Coco61 · 01-26-2016, 03:16 PM

Well done Amy that is real progress, not a little. Just keep on going taking things at Timmy's own pace and you will continue to make progress.
Sorry about your ankle, hope you are better soon. Don't forget the updates! Hope to see a pic of Timmy soon.

Amy x · 02-07-2016, 01:34 PM

here is your log awaited photo of Timmy Coco61, well that's if it works as this is my first photo upload and I'm doing it on my mobile phone! He was eating some food and I thought that was the perect opportunity to snap a pic! Hope you like him! X

Amy x · 02-07-2016, 01:35 PM

If the photo doesn't work I will try to figure out a way to hopefully make it work!

Marc · 02-07-2016, 02:14 PM

Glad to hear Timmy is coming along, don't think you rushed it if he is two-three months and you are just now introducing yourself to him he may be a bit skittish at first if he is not used to human contact from the early days. Some rescue hams can be like this if they were neglected.

Sounds like he's getting used to your presence and is curious about you, try offering him a few treats from your hand (flat in bath) he may sit on your hand if you are still. The tissue trick is a good one to use, I had an old t shirt I wore for a few days and left within smelling (but not chewing) range with my current ham. The more he gets used to you the better, take it slow and you will earn Timmy's trust, also looking forward to pics.