Hamsters are both adorable and lovable animals, being many parent’s choice for a child’s first pet. When caring for a hamster, you may also train your hamster to exhibit or enhance certain behaviors. Training a hamster can be slightly difficult, since hamsters have a fairly basic intelligence level. In order to most effectively train your hamster, try to keep in mind that a hamster can usually not be trained to exhibit a new “trick” or behavioral trait. However, when training your hamster, you may be able to teach it to repeat certain actions or traits on command. Conversely, you can also discourage your hamster from exhibiting negative or undesirable behavioral habits.
SOCIALIZATION AND BONDING
The first step towards training your hamster is to form a bond with them. Chances are, a hamster that is a new member of your household may not be very friendly towards you. Hamsters are naturally scared when they are exposed to a new environment, and may need several days of adjustment before they calm down. During this time, try to avoid handling your hamster, since this may only increase their stress level. Instead, regularly place your hand inside the cage, allowing your hamster to become used to your scent.
After your hamster has adjusted to their new home, you can begin socialization. Gradually pick up your hamster for longer periods of time each day, though be sure to handle them gently. Allow them to smell, investigate and crawl up your arms. With five minutes of this type of socialization each day, your hamster will eventually become more comfortable around humans.
BITING
A common question that many hamster owners have is how to train their hamster not to bite. In reality, avoiding this problem can actually be accomplished by understanding your hamster’s communication with you. Most hamsters will not bite without giving you a warning, which should be an indication that they do not want to be handled. Before biting, many hamsters try to return to their cage, or try to escape from your hands. The only exception is if your hamster may bite because your hands were scented with food. Before handling your hamster, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands to avoid this type of biting. To prevent fear-induced biting, pay attention to your hamster’s behavior while you are handling them. If they hiss, thump their feet or seem agitated, place them immediately back in their cage.
27 Responses to “Hamster Training”
i was wondering if hamster can b trained at any age and i was wondering if he bits on its cage what does it mean because i tried the no thing and he still bits on the cage and when i first got him he would come to me but now when i try to teach im tricks he runs i was wondering how i could get him to stay still and learn the tricks?
Hi,
I am fairly new to being responsible for a little hamster, I had one when i was younger and I believe she was a golden hamster. She didn’t act anything towards me, I believe she didn’t even care if I was around or not. I am looking into getting another hamster and I would like to know how to choose a friendly loveable hamster. How do I tell before I buy a hamster, if she or he will be a good companion? What gender is recomended?
usually when you pick a new hamster, a good one will follow your hands and fingers from the outside of the cage. however, they are noctornal so dont be disappointed if they do not want to play at the time. honestly, the more time you put into any pet will determine its fondness toward you. they are excellent judges of character. as a rookie, i would definately get a male hamster. females go into heat every four days and smell bad. they will have to be moved to a place where the cage can air out and left alone because they get moody. but we all know how that is.
From what I’ve read, brown is dominant and will most lilkey show in the babies. I recently bred a brown/fawn female with a black bear hamster and 4 out of 12 babies were solid black. You should end up with an interesting mix. I’ve bred several litters of hamsters, so feel free to email me with any other questions you might have.
Good luck!
I had a really strange hamster he was a long haired when i got him home i put him in his cage like you are supposed to he just wasnt intrested in staying in his cage he just sat at his cage door looking at me eventually i gave up and got him out i know i shouldnt have but he looked scared in his cage and when i got him out he relaxed more in my hands. I never trained him but when i cleaned him out one day he was in his hamster ball running round enjoying himself id just completed cleaning his cage and on the off chance i called his name and he came straight to me and sat at my feet and if i didnt pick him up he wouldnt move until i did iv never understood why he did that does anyone have any idea why he acted like that?
I just bought a new Hamster just like that. Often most Hamsters will take weeks to get used to you, but the Hamster I bought was tamed by one of the workers so she was used to me more.
Thats normal behavior for your little friend, and keep up the
good work of careing for him!
hi can i have tips how to take care of syrian hamsters cuz they always try to escape from their cage. Can you help me ?
give them some toys or let them run around in balls to keep them occupied. they are pretty clever and i have lost mine a few times. make sure the cage is secure and large enough. other than that, some toys and treats will probably do the trick. and DO NOT puut them in the same cage! you WILL lose a friend.
hi i was wondering how do you get 2 hamsters together in 1 cage and without them attackin each other cause my 2 hamsters havent been beside each other yet
What type are they? If they are Syrian hamsters (Syrian Hamsters are Golden hamster, Panda bear hamsters, Teddy Bear Hamsters),
Then put them in seperate cages. Those types will try and kill each other.
If Dwarf Hamster then maybe they’re not actually fighting. When fighting they will stand on their back legs, and puff out their cheeks, plus aim for the chest. If they show those signs seperate them for a few days, or get a bigger cage.
also ive learned that you should not keep them near a window because they
can become sick because of the hot and cold drafts.
go to petsmart if you know where that is they have cute hamsters
i am gettting a hamster and need some tips i like dwarf hamsters cuz they are cute and i like golden hamsters wich one are better for a beginner pet for a child age 10
From what ive heard dwarf hamsters bites are not as sore
well it dipends how hard and how agressive or scared your haster is feeling
I think u should get a golden hamster cause dwarf hamsters are too tiny so if they escape they will be much harder to find. (p.si had a dwarf hamster but it escaped and a week later i found it behind my
fridge.)
Dwarf Hamsters are more agressive. Golden Hamsters are calm, and very active, yet they seem to sleep more during the day.
For you I’d say a Short Haired Hamster is best.
If your hamster bites you, Can a human get some kind of Health problems? LIke an infection or something?
Possible,but to be safe i always clean my hands before and after playing with my hamsters.
i adgusted the ‘stand’ trick to do ‘jump’. somtimes she sticks her tounge out at me as a joke.
I tried the ‘stand’ trick, but i can only do it if i raise my hand with or without the treat. I think it’s because she is quite greedy
i trained mine by leting him run around in her little ball then i would put it in my bath tub and slowly i would get in there with her but if you are wondering i dident put water in it but after 3 times a day for 5 days she loved me and when i sall her she freaked in joy
My hamster “screams” when I even open his cage. I always talk softly, and make no sudden moves. I don’t touch him when he screams as I don’t want to scare him any more than he is. I would love to start socializing him and getting him used to me and to people, but I cannot even get my hand in his cage to let him smell me. He is a baby and he is a russian hamster I believe. I’ve never had an issue like this before with any other hamster, My others have generally been friendly after a short time. This one I can’t even get near.
He is a baby, so he might be scared of you. Try letting it know the sound of your voice, sing it a song or read a book.
Maybe he had an experience in the past and he may be worried, you just need to gain trust with your hamster. get some toilet paper and rub your hand in it, tear it up, and place it in his cage, he will get used to your smell and shouldnt scream as much.
Hope this helped but all hamsters have different personalities.
Yes, that is normal, because you would train it how to do it,they already knew how to do it by their parents,or by talent. So training, learning from parents, and talent are all normal.
My hampster learned to fetch (somehow) as funny as that sounds, I’d throw one of his seeds into his cage nd he’d bring it back do hampsters normally do that?