Eric! - Page 2

Clairealex · 12-02-2013, 11:25 AM

Thanks

The hut and rock caves don't have bottoms and he's made his nests under them! He must feel nice and secure under there haha. I've left him alone for the most part, apart from refilling his food this morning. My priority is letting him know he's safe and sound and won't be upheaved any more. If he never wants to come to me then that's fine too, although I'm hoping we can start the slow taming process in a few days

I just love seeing how deep he's burrowed. He had a small layer of wood shavings in pets at home so slept under his food bowl for some privacy. Wee soul!

racinghamster · 12-03-2013, 01:29 AM

He`s in luxury now compared to what he had in the store. Chinese hamsters like to gently take things like a sunflower seed or a small piece of peanut from an open hand. I used to place a few little crumbs on my hand and Prinny would take them and pouch them while her little paws leaned on my hand. I would then say `good girl` and slowly remove my hand. It`s little and often and letting them dictate. Once they see you they think "Oh, it`s the lady with the treats!"...

It all takes time though. Sometimes just placing a seed down in front of him might work well and then move on to placing it on your hand. Always go back to the start if training goes wrong. One step at a time. x

Clairealex · 12-03-2013, 03:50 AM

Aw the poor little mite is so scared! I was in the room last night chatting away to Chub whilst getting his broccoli and getting him out for a wee play when all I heard from behind me was a loud chattering. I was shocked, turned round and poor Eric was sitting on his wheel chattering away at me. I hadn't even realised he was out. I quickly left the room and put the light out and closed the door to let him calm down. Wee soul

This morning whilst I was in again giving chub his morning baytril, I heard a little rustle and turned round to see Eric poking his head out. I said a gentle hello and chatted to him for a few seconds and then he turned and went back into his nest. Hopefully he's starting to realise that my voice isn't something to be scared of.

fluffydd · 12-03-2013, 04:27 AM

I'm sure he will do. I don't suppose anyone has talked to him much before, and he's never had so much space or toys either. It's all very new to him.

racinghamster · 12-03-2013, 08:51 AM

Bless him. He will settle Claire, the poor wee man is probably just anxious of his new surroundings as we would be in a strange place having been used to an isolation tank! Just say "Oh Eric, what`s up wee man" and sit by him. Reassure and if he just isn`t too keen, leave it and do much the same each day/evening. I found shelling a sunflower seed and leaving it in the same place twice a day taught Prinny that this was the spot where she would find a treat! I do the same with wee Fred my mad robo and do you know, every time he wakes up, he heads straight up his log ramp where he knows I have left him his little piece of apple or a seed treat!

This allows them to familiarise. x

Clairealex · 12-03-2013, 01:31 PM

Well I'm starting to see a little bit of evidence that he's feeling a bit safer. He popped out for a wee bit of dinner when he heard me in the room. I went over and said 'oh hello little Eric!'and he paused for a wee second then just went back to his food

I even managed to snap this picture (I zoomed in quite a lot so I didn't have to get really close but still, I'm happy he seems to feel safe

)

racinghamster · 12-04-2013, 02:43 AM

Chinese hamsters soon realise a good thing because they have the intelligence of mice. That`s how I see them anyway having had a female Chinese after keeping mice for many years and comparing the two. Eric is lovely.

x

Clairealex · 12-04-2013, 04:01 PM

We had a wonderful little interaction tonight

He took some broken up peanut from my hand then used his little paws to balance on my thumb. When I gave him the last bit he started to eat it rather than pouching it. I took my chance and gave him two small pats on his lower back. He was still for a second, then I spoke to him again and he just continued happily eating. He then gave my hand a final sniff and disappeared back to his nest

He also has an underground world he's created! I thought chub was a burrower but this little guy is just amazing at it! He literally has tunnel networks linking his three nests and one to his water bottle. I wondered why I'd see him at his water bottle then he'd be way over by his wheel, but had totally disappeared in between haha! When the time comes for his first cage clean I'm going to feel like a monster destroying his tube system! Hopefully the spot cleaning and fitch will keep us clean as long as possible!!

hbrh94 · 12-04-2013, 04:06 PM

What a lovely story! One lucky little hamster :')

racinghamster · 12-05-2013, 02:23 AM

Told you he would come round eventually! He sounds very much as if he`s loving his new home and he couldn`t have asked for e better one. Chinese hamsters are just `different` in that they have those mouse-like qualities which is why I love them because I kept mice for over ten years or so. I just feel the Chinese hamster is the next best thing to keeping a mouse because of their body shape, their inquisitive natures and their ability to climb and cling. Nothing like what you might expect from a dwarf hamster!

I`m sure you will fall for his charms! x