Some options please and a yoda update

[Jules1958]

Hi guys, I am happy to say things are moving along with Yoda he will come and sit on my hand and let me stroke him which is fantastic. Now I need to start working on getting him to let me pick him up which is not at all happy about. Any tips would be gratefully received.
Also thoughts on using an exercise ball. In many ways I am not that keen and I have been letting him run round in the shower room but he keeps climbing up into the radiator despite my best efforts to block it off!! Am planning to give him some freedom in the hallway but am worried about my carpet.!

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Jules, congratulations on Yoda, that's great he sits on your hand to be stroked, I would slowly lift your hand up, no sudden jerk, do so while he's in his cage or have a couple of pillows/cushions underneath. Some hams don't like being lifted up, so when you lift up your hand with him sitting on it, use your other hand slowly to support.
I would avoid letting him run around the shower, hams can squeeze into very tiny spaces.
I use the hall with mine. To start him getting used to it, block off an area and this will get him use to the space, in time you can widen that space. To protect your carpet try using a bath towel or sheet. As you increase the space include some of his toys from his cage so he can smell his scent.
As for exercise balls, I don't like them, I use to use them years back but, the ball would break open.

[cypher]

I would do as Lizzy suggests with picking him up, just go really slow only lifting your hands the tiniest bit for a moment or two to begin with then gradually increase the height & time as Yoda gets used to it.
I wouldn't use a hamster ball, make or buy a play pen where you can put lots of toys & things to explore & still be able to interact with him.
This is a great play pen to make, it folds flat when not in use & you can make it as big as you like, you probably be won't be able to get the storage cubes shown there but Amazon still sell similar ones that work fine if you have a look.
Most play pens you can buy aren't really suitable for syrians but this one from Zooplus is ok.