11 replies to this topic

[ekimgnitteg]

It's been 5 days since I got her, and I'm excited to finally begin thw taming process! I left my hand in the cage and talked like I had while reading books to her.

She was super hesitant, and slowly crawled to my hand and bit me. I moved away a little, but left it on the same elevation. She continued trying to bite until she latched on.

I decided then i would hand feed her a treat, which she ate, but I put it down since my arm was getting tired. I seems she bit at it but didn't pouch it?

Should I have started off with the teeat? Or get her used to my hand being in the cage :(

[thatrobohammy]

Was it a bite or a nibble? Sometimes hamster will nibble on things because they are curious. My little robo nibbled on my fingers for the first 2 days of training but now he mostly just jumps into my hand to grab the treat then jumps off. if you feel uncomfortable you can always get a pair of clean gardening gloves to wear until you feel more comfortable. If it didn't hurt real bad and didn't draw blood it most likely was a nibble and your hamster was probably just being curious. I'd just give your hamster time to warm up to you, and in time she'll get more comfortable with you.

[ekimgnitteg]

It drew a small amount of blood, just barely broke the skin I think, but I don't know if it's chewing or nibbling on me :(

Edited by ekimgnitteg, 06 August 2022 - 08:41 AM.

[thatrobohammy]

It drew a small amount of blood, just barely broke the skin I think, but I don't know if it's chewing or nibbling on me :(

Did you have the scent of food or something that would be tasty to a hamster on your hands? 

Edited by thatrobohammy, 06 August 2022 - 08:54 AM.

[ekimgnitteg]

Unlikely as I had just woken up :(
I jope it gets less aggressive in the days to come

It was making a weird grunting sound before dashing to the water bowl in my enclosure. She then decided to chew on the foxtail millets I got her.

Edited by ekimgnitteg, 06 August 2022 - 09:13 AM.

[thatrobohammy]

Unlikely as I had just woken up :(
I jope it gets less aggressive in the dats to come

 

Maybe try rubbing your scent on a piece of toilet paper or a tissue then put it somewhere in your hamster's bin that she goes to frequently to get her used to your scent. Also, next time when you put your hand in her bin make sure you clean your hands then rub a piece of her bedding on your hands to get her scent on you. This article seems pretty helpful it might be worth reading. https://be.chewy.com/how-to-stop-a-hamster-from-biting/ 

I'd recommend taking it slowly, hamsters are prey animals and not all want to be handled so make sure you keep that in mind. Hopefully this helps!

Edited by thatrobohammy, 06 August 2022 - 09:16 AM.

[ekimgnitteg]

She ignores treats and is going for my finger today T-T Maybe I'll try a different one

[HamsterLover246]

Hi!
I had a dwarf who used to nibble my finger the first weeks, even sometimes bite. When she did that, I just placed her down in her free roam room. Later I took her up again, etc.
Idk if this is the best method (I got her when she was 3 months old, and she had never been touched by humans) But with my hamster it worked super well and I ended up sith a calm and relaxed hamster, who wasn't scared of me
Also, I wouldn't recommend trying to bond in hamsters cage, because it's their territory and they are likely to feel attacked.
Rather take them out of the cage in a small container, and bond with them in an empty bathtub or a hamsterproof room , and let them climb on you if they want!
Remember to take it slowly, they become scared very easily
Hope it helped !

Edited by HamsterLover246, 08 August 2022 - 05:50 PM.

[ekimgnitteg]

How big should the container be?

[HamsterLover246]

To tame and bond? I like using the empty bathtub, with my new syrian. Sit in there with her and let her climb on me .

Also dont point your fingertips at the hamster, it will just nibble even more But I would suggest doing in the bathtub like 5 min a day, and just giving treats in the cage and sit with them when it's free roam time, so they can smell you etc

[TigerU265]

Let her roam in a large box or tub (with some hideouts in it, some tubes and small boxes, or her own house from her cage would work well) to work off some energy. Once she's quietened down (don't wait until she gets stressed though) place your hand palm up beside her. You could put a treat she likes on your hand as well, but make sure it's easy for her to reach, such as on your fingers. It would act as a bit of a decoy from your actual fingers too! But putting the treat in your palm can be too far in the beginning, especially for a dwarf.

 

Honestly, if she's not breaking skin, try to hold still when she bites, and just let her explore. Your hamster doesn't seem aggressive, but just nervous and curious. 

 

The above method actually worked really well with a rescue. Herbert was very young, came from an abusive home, was developmentally challenged (both genetic and the fact that he was separated from his mum too soon I believe) and prone to panic attacks. He eventually came to sleep on my hand.

[ekimgnitteg]

I'll have to find a large tub then T-T