90 replies to this topic

[monkeysmom]

Everyone has different opinions on this subject, which is okay here at HH because its good to give everyone options when it comes to taming!    I am just going to share with you my opinion on the subject of taming and let you decide the best method for you and your hamster.

Sometimes it is recommended that you "blow" on a hamster's face, which I call "negative" punishment.  I tend to disagree with this.  I believe only in positive re-inforcement.

Hamsters can be nippy.  However, although I have owned 2 hamsters, I have only been bitten once and that was entirely my own fault.  While on this topic, we also need to distinguish biting and "nibbling".  Biting hurts.  A hamster bites because for some reason it distrusts and is afraid or perhaps you smell yummy to them.  A nibble can be affectionate, it can be a "hey, pay attention to me", or again...you smell yummy but I'm not sure if you are food or not.  The difference is a nibble does not hurt you.  So, you have to determine whether a hamster is biting or nibbling.  If he is nibbling, don't stress out!  Just go with it. 

Animals are smart, give them credit.  When it comes to taming follow the taming guide.   The key to this guide is the scented tissue so they become familiar with your scent.  If you skip this part, your taming time is going to be extended quite a bit before it learns to trust you AND its going to be more inclined to bite you. 

When taming your hamster you need to remember something.  If you are AFRAID of being bitten, your hamster can sense your fear.  He doesn't understand your fear, and because of that, he is also going to be fearful and more likely to bite.  Try your best to remain calm!!  If you are getting bitten, and it is upsetting you, it is better to end the taming session for a little while and put your hamster back into its cage until you are calmer and more relaxed. 

Also, don't think you have to "tame" your hamster in one week...don't but a time-table on it.  Each hamster is unique, just like people.  You need to follow THEIR behaviour and personality.  I had one hamster that was so skittish it took me a month to tame her.  My other hamster was tamed in 3 days.  Different personalities, different techniques. 

Now, when it comes to "negative" punishment let me tell you why I am against it.  Here you have an adorable little hammy, it has just come home from a pet shop, been separated from its mom (and more than likely at too early an age) and it has to immediately get aquainted with a new home and this huge massive person that wants to pick it up and play.   Hmm...   I think I might bite too!  Compound this by blowing on its face, or yelling at it, or any other "negative" force directed at it, you are only going to put it more on the defensive and make it trust you even less.  This will extend the time it takes to tame your little one because now he has a reason to be afraid! 

Let me use my bunny as an example for this because I have been training her this week.  According to the books I read, and even the breeder, I was told to use a "spray" bottle to squirt her when she was bad.  Now, I will firmly say "NO" to her, but it isn't in a manner that is threatening. 

I was trying to litter train her, and believe me, there were plenty of accidents and I was getting really tired of the multi-mopping each day.  Instead of getting mad at her or spraying her, I simply put her on a 5-10 "time-out".  She lost the privilege of free roam.  Now, when she did use her litter box she was rewarded with a special treat, high praise, and lots of cuddles.  So, again remembering that animals are smart.....she learned, "Peeing on floor....BAD......peeing in litter box....GOOD!"  After 2 weeks, I now have a litter trained bunny. 

Again, I just believe that positive reinforcement is better when it comes to training than negative.  I also believe that it builds a stronger bond between you and your furry friend.

Much can be said the same for raising children!  Show them unconditional love, support, pride in them, and guidance,  and they will shine.  Show them negativity and they fail to blossom. 

Thanks for letting me voice my opinion!

~ Monkeysmom

Edited by monkeysmom, 30 September 2005 - 01:32 PM.

[Haruka]

Pretty interesting.

But are hamsters just as smart as bunnies? o_o

[SouthPaw]

Great post!

Haruka it really doesn't have anything to do with how intelligent they are.  ;) But, smart or not, they can definitely tell the difference between something they like and something they don't like!

Positive reinforcement is basically the key to every animal. Some people will argue that "negative" reinforcement works too, but, it results in an animal that won't trust you and is terrified. With positive reinforcement they realize "hey, when I do this, I get tons of praise/treats!" so they will be more inclined to do that thing because they get something good out of it, too!

Maybe a wee bit off topic but it ties in with the pos. reinforcement. My sister's dog is...crazy. Tell her to sit and most of the time she just dawdles off like she didn't hear anything lol. But if she knows/thinks you have a treat for her, she'll jump over the moon if you tell her to! So they do respond to it, though my sister complains "now she only listens to me if I have food!". Naw, she just has a weird dog.

[JessS]

I agree with this post. I don't use negative reinforcement for any small animals. In fact, the only animals I find it neccessary for are dogs and cats, in moderation, and only so long as they can connect the "bad" action with the punishment. IE- clapping your hands loudly or spraying a bottle of water when a dog jumps, barks for no reason, etc.
Hamsters should only be trained with positive reinforcement. It's always worked for me, so why bother trying the negative? Or, that's how I see it anyways.

[Hammies]

I really agree with you all. Great topic monkeysmom I hate how people get mad at their hamsters when they bite them, I like to put mysel finto a hamster's place, and then I know that I would bite someone if they tried to pick me up, it's just natural

[hayleyshamsters]

I completely agree with this topic - you are the one who has to have a positive attitude before your hamster will begin to think the same way as you. Just remember that if he bites you, hamsters are smaller and they have a right to bite a big hand coming down to pick them up...

[ChineseJade14]

i have a question.... how do u distinguish between biting and nibbling? i mean i know u said it doesn't hurt if they nibble and it does if they bite but when my hamster nibbles/bites it doesn't like make me bleed and it doesn't hurt too much. so is it nibbling or biting? and Ricky's ears aren't laid back against his head or anything either. he just sniffs me then bites...or nibbles... i don't know. if u reply thanx!!!

[Haruka]

I think that is nibbling.

Biting is when they bite down and it will hurt. Nibbling is just little bites that don't hurt at all.

[hayleyshamsters]

ChineseJade, that sounds like nibbling to me :p Nibbling feels more like the hamster is rubbing it's nose against your finger, as when they bite you will surely know what it was!

[Hamah]

Thanks for this post, monkeysmom. I'm still a little afraid to tame my hamster! The bite she gave me several mos ago (I know, what a long time ago) really hurt (those little sharp teeth, darnit, lol), and I was relaxed when that happened so it really surprised me! I don't see how I could hold her w/ bare hands again, but I certainly don't want her to be my goldfish, if you know what I mean.

So yeah, I'll try the tissue thing. Seems pretty smart to me.

[hayleyshamsters]

Hamah,
Everyoen get's bit by a hamster eventually. I think hamsters can tell when you're afraid, so they bite down hard. You have to be positive, tell yourself not "I think I can" but "I know I can" and get in there and tame that hammie! But yeah, use the tissue method and then go onto monkeymoms taming for the timid guide, the link is in my signature.

[Hamah]

Is there more of a chance my hamster will bite me if I put my hand in its cage instead of a playpen?

Lol, sorry I know I sound hamster-phobic, but I'm not. This is my 3rd hamster, my 3rd bite, so I don't know why I'm freakin' out. Maybe cuz my 1st 2 were males, so they were less aggressive. This one can't seem to bear my presence - even when I'm just giving her food - she shows all signs of fear. Thanks for the encouragement!

Okay, so I'm doing the tissue thing and I'm gonna get a playpen (which I didn't need for my other ones). And I'm gonna try to relax!

[hayleyshamsters]

I don't know hwere you get the idea that females are more aggressive than males are... yes, they are more territorial - but that doesn't mean they bite you more and harder. What I do is I just lay my hand flat on the ground and let Hamlet climb on, it takes some time getting used to. I had to do it for about three weeks before Hamlet finally even went near my hand.

[Christmas_hamster]

actually not all females are teritorial, some are yes but not all. Hamah it sounds like you have a nervice little girl, just remember to use the taming for timed guide.

[Binky]

When my hammie bites on the bars I started to say "NO" in a firm voice then gently pushed his lil nose off the bars - is this okay? He seems to listen. When I say "NO" firmly someone said I sounded mean, so now I feel bad but tone of voice communicates messages too!