Taming my new hamster

[n_t]

Hi all,

was wondering if any of you could give me some tips on how to tame my hamster? I am using a link I found on here about how to tame my hamster, and it's going brilliantly! yesterday was the first time I tried to handle my hamster, I let him settle in his cage for about three days I think and I put his cage on my bed. I had to chase him around a bit at first to hold him because he was really jumpy and scared - he is only 7 weeks old so I was extremely gentle with him! anyway as soon as i had him in my hand, he soon overcame his shyness (although he was still jumpy with any sudden movements or sounds) and was soon crawling all over my hands and when i snuggled him on to my lap he started to wash himself, completely at ease. So I handled him for about half an hour - is this too much? He seemed to be enjoying it! I gave him a bit of his first dog biscuit and he really enjoyed it. He did try and bite me very softly, I think he was trying to decide whether my hands were food or not! But when he did that, I just blew on his nose softly and he soon got the idea and didnt try to bite my hand again. So far, everything is going amazing and I plan to handle him for half an hour everyday! Will take pics of him soon as he is very jumpy and dont want to scare him..probably next week, will put some pics up!

[suga]

I would handle little and often. Maybe for 15 mins and then let him back in his cage in case he needs a wee, drink or food. Then get him out again. Sounds like you'll be just fine though and that you have made some good progress

[Zeppelin]

Hey there!

I recently adopted Norman Spencer George from a friend as he brought it from a pet shop and it bites his daughter.
I replaced him with a babe from my litter and they're doing great.
Grumpy Norman however is a very angry hamster and I'd recommend making play time especially treatful, I always give him a nibble of apple or grape when I'm handling him and then he'll associate you with fun times!
If blowing doesn't stop them biting, then a gentle tapping on the nose will do the trick.

Good luck and hope it goes well!
XXX

[liam4mail]

Thank you for these tips. I need all the help I can get in this department too.

[zara825]

I posted this on your last post, but found it in the taming thread too, so i thought i'd post it here too incase anyone else needs a little advice!

****ORIGINAL POST BELOW*******

Sounds odd, but try taming him in the bath.
Obviously put the plug in, and get in with him. Pop the bottom of the cage in the bath, and let him come out in his own time.
Make sure your hands are clean, so he wont mistake them for something to eat!
Just start by stroking him, talking softly, and maybe try to scoop him up in your hands, above the cage. He will probably try to jump, but if you are in the bath, he wont escape!

A tip though, dont leave his hideaway in the cage when you do this otherwise he will probably not come out!

I found that if you put them on your lap whilst in the bath, it helps, because they arent always comfortable with the feeling of skin at first.

Be persistent, but dont frighten him, try 10 mins in the evening, always after they have woken up and cleaned themselves up. If he starts to panick at any point, put him back, and try again once he has calmed down.


After each session, give him a treat once you have put him back in the cage.

I tamed my syrian, Cow, in 3 nights using this method, although it really depends on the hamster. It took a further two to get him accostomed to being handled by my fiance without panicking. He has lived with us for 5 weeks now, and is perfectly happy being handled.

I initially tried to use a playpen to tame him in, but he very quickly figured out how to climb out, and this was before he was tamed, so I nearly had an escapee so i really dont recommend it. In the bath, there is no chance of him escaping.

He will eventually come round, like you said, persistence and patience, if he is taking treats, there is a certain amount of trust there already.

Good luck, and if you need any help, just give me shout!

ps, with cow, his initial fear was of actually being picked up and lifted, and sometimes even now, he isnt always 100% relaxed when we get lift him up (downfall of him living in a top opening cage), but normally once he is in our hands, he calms down. Be confident, and he will be.

[arikata]

Cow is an ace name!!

[Basia]

I wouldn't recommend tapping any hamster on the nose.
Hamsters only usually bite when they are afraid so as long as you are gentle and calm he shouldn't bite you. Make sure your hands don't smell of food. He probably was just testing to see if you were food and obviously decided you weren't.
It sounds as though you are making good progress. He is young, so now is the time to handle him as often as possible and he will quickly become very tame. Scoop him up with both hands, make sure he can't jump and hurt himself. Let him run on your lap and keep stroking him. when he starts to get a bit manic, put him back in his cage for a while.
Good luck.

[flogging_molly]

How is the taming going??

[wofunny]

Hope its going well getting my first hammie tomorrow really helpfull tips thanks x