Out and about progress

suga · 02-24-2008, 10:06 AM

I think that we are now in week 3 of our new addition, so time for a update.

We decided to try and get her use to us initially so have been talking non-stop to Lil Bear, saying her name and getting her use to our tone. She will come and sit by the door now when she is awake and we are in the room - where she tends to be rewarded with further babble and the smallest peice of broccoli. She takes this from our fingers very gently :-).

You'll remember that I'm quite nervous really and have been fretting about how to handle her and get us use to her and her to us. So although we have had some excellent advice from forum members we decided to go with the tried and tested method of the baseket. So she now comes to the door, I have been opening the door and she gets into the basket and then I encourage her to go back into her cage. She does this now very well :-) very out and then back in - but I think she gets it. This has been happening for about a week now.

On friday we stepped it up a bit and now she sits by the door, comes out of the cage, sits in the basket where she either munches on her treat or snaffles into her cheek and she gets a smooth at the same time.

Today was cage cleaning day and it was so much easier. The basket I think is really working and she is less flinchy now when she gets a smooth. She is still a bit jumpy and we are not rushing it - but I think we are definitely making progress. :D

**Spuds Mum** · 02-24-2008, 10:14 AM

I think you are doing really well Suga, and whatever works for you and Lil Bear is exactly right!

She seems to be happy to take things slowly, and I'm sure that you are both building up trust in each other day by day!

Well done Suga and Lil Bear

Basia · 02-24-2008, 10:33 AM

It sounds as though you are making very good progress Suga. The basket is a really good idea. Have you got any recent photos?

Mollz · 02-24-2008, 10:38 AM

Yes, it does sound like you and Lil Bear are making very good progress.

I have always used the slow and steady approach (and it has always worked in the end), but this time with Amelie I'm going to try frequent handling from day 1 and see the difference in speed of taming etc.

suga · 02-24-2008, 11:07 AM

I haven't any recent photos no - but will try and get some tonight and tomorrow during the day. She's gotten big :-) although not as big as the 2 remaining hamsters in the shop that she came from that are the same age as her.

**jayne** · 02-24-2008, 04:01 PM

Thats great suga!
Sounds like we are in very much the same situation, we're now on wek 3 also and we are taking it slowly as i too am a bit scared

Max will now come to the side door and get in his ball, run around for 5 minutes then i will lie on the couch and open the ball so he can run around on me. I then slide off the couch and let him run around there for another 5 minutes then place him back in his cage. He then gets a little treat once he is back in

He is really responding to his name and will come out of bed when he hears me.

I'm glad you and Lil Bear and getting used to each other! Cant wait to see some more photos of her too

souffle · 02-25-2008, 01:37 AM

You two should be proud Jayne and suga. We are going to have some really tame hammies on the forum soon looking at that progress from both of you and LilBear and Max. Well done

suga · 02-25-2008, 04:55 AM

Jayne that sounds like you and max are getting along just fine :-) - I'm still nervous about the climbing on me part of hamster owning - as I worry about not being able to pick her up but I hope to get to that part soon.

I've not seen LilBear today yet but am going to take some flicks the minute she stick hers head out..... so you can see how fab she is looking.