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Old 05-27-2020, 11:03 AM   #1
FrankieSmith
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Join Date: May 2020
Location: Kent, England
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Default Advice on taming a hamster

Hi, I got my Syrian Hamster (Bean) on Monday and watched countless videos on how to start taming her, I'm going to start from tomorrow not that she's had a few days to settle into her new home and my voice. I was just wondering if anyone else had any advice that I may not have known or they found really effective with their hamsters.

Thank you in advance!

Bean's owner, Frankie.
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Old 05-28-2020, 11:08 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

I think it may be better to ask questions or seek advice as you go because every hamster is different. Some take longer to tame and trust humans than others, some appear to be born tame and sociable and others never become completely tame.
I'd recommend to be guided by your hamster, avoid frightening or stressing her and stock up on patience.
There are threads you can read up on in the Forum under Behaviour or Hamster Chat where people share their experiences.
Keep us updated and ask away anything at all and people will try and help. I know because i've been there and have asked many questions myself and received a lot of advice and answers to my queries.
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Old 05-29-2020, 02:55 AM   #3
Kyrkogrimr
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

As Ria_P says, honestly it's hard to predict what will work as every hamster is different and what works for one may not work for another - Cadmium liked having her back stroked, Carbon takes offence if I try to stroke anywhere past the shoulders. I can say from experience that the people here are really helpful and I've had a lot of great suggestions whenever I've had a problem.

I also second the suggestion to stock up on patience - be aware that it could take a long time and as Ria said, some hamsters are never cuddly. Hydrogen made great progress in terms of being comfortable around me but he never stopped being nervous about being handled. They might not be able to identify what "frustration" is, but they do notice if you're getting frustrated with them/the process - in my experience at least.

Cadmium: dwarf
Carbon: dwarf
Hydrogen: syrian (just in case that helps at all)
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Old 05-29-2020, 03:02 AM   #4
FrankieSmith
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

Thank you both for your advice and responses. Bean's has now started to take food from the palm of my hand all allows her two front paws to go on it. She also doesn't mind being stroked so I'll just keep working with her patiently and on her terms.

Frankie
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Old 05-31-2020, 06:17 AM   #5
Kyrkogrimr
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

It sounds like you're making good progress Like you say, the best option is to take it slowly and on her terms. I find it helpful, personally, to remember that a) they're a prey species and in general will need to invest more trust in you than something like a cat or dog who doesn't have the same wiring that says "everything wants to eat me!" (in my experience at least, there are always exceptions) and b) they are tiny compared to us - I actually find it quite hard to imagine how they must perceive us given our respective sizes.

I know that these are both obvious things, but I find that when I keep them in mind, the progress they make suddenly doesn't seem so slow. I don't know how long it would take me to trust someone of an equivalent size the way we hope our hamsters will trust us. Viewed that way, the trust is pretty special, whatever level it is at
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Old 05-31-2020, 03:54 PM   #6
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

Whenever I get a hamster, I use the tissue trick where you use unscented toilet paper and stuff some up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours, then tear it up and place it on the cage, all hamsters are nosey and will smell it, usually they will stuff it in their cheeks and use it as extra bedding. Do this everyday for a week, doing this gets them familiar with your scent. Also talking to them everyday gets them used to your voice. I always praise mine when they are out and about in their cages and award them each time with a treat.
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Old 05-31-2020, 04:50 PM   #7
FrankieSmith
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Default Re: Advice on taming a hamster

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy View Post
Whenever I get a hamster, I use the tissue trick where you use unscented toilet paper and stuff some up your sleeves and leave for a couple of hours, then tear it up and place it on the cage, all hamsters are nosey and will smell it, usually they will stuff it in their cheeks and use it as extra bedding. Do this everyday for a week, doing this gets them familiar with your scent. Also talking to them everyday gets them used to your voice. I always praise mine when they are out and about in their cages and award them each time with a treat.
Thank you, the tissue is a really cool trick that I'll definitely try out!
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