any tips?

[mitchl7]

I know this is kind of silly, but this is my first hamster and i don't think that she is afraid of me, its just i'm afraid of getting bitten. When she comes over to my hand to sniff i always get scared and pull my hand away from her face (gently). Do you have any tips to get over my fear???

[Marms05]

well if shes smelling you...she probably isnt going to bite you. just make sure that your hands dont smell like any type of food or fruited scented soap so that she doesnt mistake you for food.
if shes coming right up to you though..that might mean shes curious about you...so i wouldnt be afraid.
you would know if she didnt want you around..she would get on her back and put her paws up at you..and make a high pitched noise.
if you start taking your hand away every time she comes up to it..she will become afraid of you.
so my advice is to put you hand right next to the door of your cage..that way if you do happen to get scared of her biting..you can just take your hand away slowly out the door. but the only way that she will become used to you..is if you allow her too!
you have to get over the fear of her biting you..
i was the same way..and now i walk around the house with my hamster with no problem.
but if she is just walking up to you and sniffing..she probably wont bite. just let her get to know you...slowly

[mitchl7]

okay. Thx

[mitchl7]

Okay. I'm going to use the bath tub method (to let them crawl around you and get used to your scent). Its makes me more comfortable. Today when she was awake, i let her walk into the bathtub on her own, and i went and sat with her. (We did this for about 7-8 minutes). She didn't seem that scared at all. She didn't poop once (thats good for me lol) and she eventually came and crawled on my leg, but when i tried to offer her a carrot, she wouldn't take it, (it was in my hand and she went to bite my hand...i felt her teeth on my finger). I'm going to continue doing this until she is more comfortable with me and doesn't try to avoid me the whole time.
Do you think i should try to give her a carrot everynight, or only when she becomes more comfortable with me? Thx.

[SpunkyMunky]

She'll get more used to use as the time goes on. You can try other things too though as treats instead of a carrot. You can try yougurt drops, sunflower seeds, Cherrioes and canteloupe. The more you spend time with your hamster, the more it gets used to you.

[mitchl7]

do you think this is a good method??

I'm the most comfortable with this because it is my first hamster.

[SpunkyMunky]

Yes its a great method. I did it for my gerbils to tame them, and when I got my hamster I did the same thing. Now my hamster is so tame, never bites, never poos or pees on people or anything. Its a good taming method. Continue with the bathtub thing and feed it while its in your hand too.

[mitchl7]

thanks a lot. That was a lot of help. While she is crawling on my leg etc. Should i pet her, pick her up, feed her?? can i have your email incase i have a question about taming her in a tub?? Thanks a lot.

[SpunkyMunky]

Sure you can have my email.. Its lil_italian001@hotmail.com

[janie36]

Hi,
I think when you felt her teeth on your finger she was just "tasting" you to make sure you weren't a nice treat! Usually if hamsters bite they make no bones about it, and just do it!
We have 3 and all are extremely tame, never bite and love to be fussed, with regular handling and alot of patience I'm sure your little girl will be the same:-)
Janie

[mitchl7]

so janie, when she has her teeth on my finger should i move away??? or let her do whatever it is she is going to do?

[GillyXBean]

If it hurts or breaks skin, she's biting you. If it's just a bit of a pinch, or nibble, then just leave your finger. She's just testing "what" you are, and whether she can eat you. ;)

Some ham's also do this as a show of affection.

[janie36]

Hi,
GillyXbean took the words right out of my mouth, and there's nothing more I can add to that explanation, but you really would know about it if she was biting you! Honest!:-)
Janie

[mitchl7]

Okay. Thanks.