Taming
I know a few different ways of taming. Here is Jane from Hamster House's method:
"Someone just asked for
help handling a new hamster, and I thought it might be useful to repost it here
for all to see instead. I've had very good luck with both young hamsters
and frightened rescued scaredy-hams. I hope something from our
experience helps.
I started by sitting on the bed with the home inside a safe "corral"
and opening its door. Then waited. Curiosity wins, always will.
Once the hamster is out, he's in a limited space with you and surrounded by your
scent. Eventually, each came sniffing and climbed up my leg or arm. They
avoided my hands, so I didn't use them.
After a few tries, when they weren't bothered by me anymore, I started cupping
my hand over their back softly as they walked on me. From there I picked
them up and laid them against my chest until they decided to walk out from under
my fingers.
After a couple days of this, I let them walk out directly on my chest -- again,
no hands -- till they had all fours on me, then I cupped them as they had become
accustomed. After we were done playing, running in the ball, whatever they
were out for, I picked them up and handled them on their way home, so my hands
weren't taking them out, they were taking them home where they were safe.
Always approach him with freshly washed hands, and be sure your soap doesn't
have a food smell. If he doesn't like your hands in his home, respect
that, and let him come out to you. If his home won't permit that, use a
tube or cup he can walk into and out of. I have a plastic soup ladle I use
for dwarf hamsters, and it works well.
For a little while, just have one person handle him -- whoever he objects to the
least.
Talk to him softly and gently whenever you're near and he's awake. Stand
close so he matches your voice to your scent, and keep your scent as consistent
as possible while you're getting started.
Never disturb him while he's asleep or in his nesting area. That should be
his safe haven. Giving him that security will make him bolder.
If he starts to mouth you, steer his mouth away with a finger and blow on his
face lightly and briefly (unless you have a cold) to distract him. If he
bites, blow again and give a big, startling, "No!" If he's too
stressed to continue, stop, but not without a little pet or cuddle first, so
that biting doesn't have the desired result and isn't reinforced.
If he's fearful -- on his back pushing you with his paws, squealing, baring his
teeth or playing dead -- stop immediately, take him home and walk away.
Never miss a chance for a gentle touch outside his home. Avoid his face
and head for a while. Take his paw on your finger, or stroke a finger down
his back. When you're holding him and he struggles to wander or get down,
let him. Your hands shouldn't be a prison, but a way to get to neat places
and have good things.
Most importantly, try at the same times every day when the hamster is already
awake and alert -- morning and evening both, even if it's only for a few
minutes."
This is MY way of taming:
"You know how people say to tame hamsters, let them
eat from your hand then stroke em then pick them up etc etc. My dad has a
totally new way that works. Well it did for me. Here's how it works.
I was starting taming the "normal" way and my dad said I was being to
pikkie and was probably frightening it more so you know what he did, he lifted
the cage bit off and my hamster was sat in the base, a bit miffed. He cupped his
hands round her and and after a bit or scurrying in the base of her cage, he
caught her. She was sitting in his cupped hands which were sort of closed not
nipping, scratching or scrabbling just looking and sniffing.
He put her in her ball and she had a good run round my room.
We decided to try to hold her for a bit and my dad suggested just letting her go
on the open floor which there was no way I was doing that. We built a sort of
triangle around her and let her go. she looked as if she was enjoying it. we could
stroke and touch her and she didn't seem to mind. My dad tried cupping her and succeeded
but she got free of his hands. Me and my mum tried it to and only I and my dad
could hold her!
Next i sat in our little "corral" and put her on my legs. She climbed
up to me and seemed to be OK!
Now she'll let me pick her up anytime!!
We put her in the ball for a little while, while i pinched out her pee corner
then when it was time to put her back in her cage, i stroked her in the ball
then gently picked her up. she was a bit scrabbly but when she new she was going
into her cage, she calmed down.
Now she's in the cage next to me watching me
he he he!
I don't know if this will work for you, try the "proper" method first.
But bare in mind, my dad is very strong minded and will tame this hamster if its
the last thing he does! LOL!!!!!!!
Also, I don't really think you should try this with a ham who nips."