Taming

[peachesismyhamster]

Hi! I'm new to Hamster Central and would like to know if anybody has a simple step-by-step taming guide for my Syrian hamster Peaches and exact qualifications for a tame hamster. People have told me that there is no exact definition, but I really want to know when I can consider Peaches "tame" or not.

[cypher]

There is no definition of a tame hamster I don't think! It really isn't a science but down to personality & the way you interact with them.
Some are naturally tamer than others in their character, most will become quite tame but some are more independent & some are more of the cuddly type!
How long have you had Peaches & what taming steps have you tried so far?

[peachesismyhamster]

Well, I've had Peaches for a month and I can't quite recall, but I can tell you that she sometimes climbs on my hands without treats. Another user on this forum told me to just scoop her up, not allow her to get out, then uncover her so she can jump out, and eventually she will stop jumping out. So I've tried that.

[cypher]

Am I right getting the impression you're not actually having problems but just want to quantify how tame she is (for want of a better way of putting it!)?

[peachesismyhamster]

Yes, you're right. I want to know when I can consider her 'tame' more than trying to get her there. But I'd also like to get your advice on how to tame her.

[Cookiex3]

I think hamsters will have different personality's, some will like to sit still and cuddle, some will prefer to wander around when you take them out of the cage. When i first got my previous female hamster, she was very skittish, i literally couldn't pick her up at all, she would just slip right out of my hands!

After i thought she had settled in to her new home, i would use small box (like the one she came in) and wait for her to walk into it, i would then take her to the bath and put her in there, with a towel down and toys etc. I think i used sunflower seeds to hand feed her, i think some hamsters become bored with the treats after a bit, but i still tried scooping her up and holding her, close to the bottom of the bath in case she jumped away.

I can't remember how long it took me to tame her but i remember thinking that i didn't think i ever would when i first got her because she was so jumpy

Every time i handled her she got better and then after a while she would just let me pick her up out of her cage and id play with her on my bed and she would prefer to wander around then being held all the time, but she never jumped away from me, or bit me after i tamed her This is so long, but i hope it helps!!