Does anyone know if hamsters are easily trainable and do they respond to corrective action? If so, what is the best age to begin teaching them?

Our hamster, Tiddles, is now around three months old. She responds by scuffling over if you tap on the cage bars, but eventually I would like her to do much more splendid things.

As a child I had a hamster and it was fairly trainable. My hamster had the rotastak cage and I trained it to follow my finger round the tubes and at the end it got a chocolate drop as a reward. It would also respond to its name when you called it.

Mind you my hamster used to push an end cap of a tube and go walkabout round the bedroom at night. Sometimes I would wake up with it running across my face. Othertimes it would escape for a good chew somewhere decide it was bored hop back in the cage and go back to bed.

The hamster also lived for 4-5 years which is way above average for a normal hamster.

Skatie

Yeah, she's got one of those cages with tubes, and she loves those chocolate drops.

We let her out every night in her ball, but how do you know when she's had enough?

I looked round the pet department in Wilkinson's to see if they did some sort of harness for hamsters, so they can run loose around the house, but when I mentioned this to an assistant she just looked at me gone out.

They don't train shop assistants like they used to.

Originally posted by Sam Miguel
We let her out every night in her ball, but how do you know when she's had enough?

Mine used to go in the ball for about 20mins at a time. Once or Twice a day.

Used to love rolling around all over the place.

Skatie

Yes, we let her out for about that time each evening. How do you train hamsters to stop throwing sawdust out of their cage? The carpet can be a real mess at times.

I suppose it's difficult to know what punishment to inflict upon such lovable balls of fur. I tried shouting but she just looked at me sort of strange and scurried off.

I am making a sort of cardboard hoop with a stick attached to it. My plan is to get her to jump through it by placing some food on the other side, gradually lifting the hoop higher until it begins to look spectacular.

I hope to get this trick perfected in time for my wife's birthday party in a couple of weeks time.

You want your Hamster to do more "splendid things"?

No disrespect to them, but what could a hamster do that could be classed as splendid? I'm not sure it'll be applying for it's helicopter pilot's licence anytime soon...:)

Hamsters are like women. If you want them to do splendid things then they must be trained and this will require the ocassional beating. I would recommend beating areas such as the soles of their feet, where marks are less visable and therefore less likely to attract "complications".... at least that's what I've recently read.

Could cause problems on the rudder pedals though...

Originally posted by jackthedog
You want your Hamster to do more "splendid things"?

No disrespect to them, but what could a hamster do that could be classed as splendid? I'm not sure it'll be applying for it's helicopter pilot's licence anytime soon...:)

Well, this is exactly why I started this thread. I know little or nothing about the species and am so seeking information as to what they are capable of.

I have a friend who began breeding Indian stick-insects purely for fun and the furtherment of this fascinating species. Gradually, however, it turned into something much more wonderful. He now is the leading authority on the species in Australia where he now lives, and deals with queries from all over the world re their habits etc.

Believe me, he knows his stuff. He can get them to do, (if not exactly splendid), certainly at least 'vaguely' interesting things.

So you see: I just need to know the basics about hamsters and then I can begin to experiment with confidence.

They don't train shop assistants like they used to.

Not at Wilkinsons - thats one of the reasons why it's so cheap.
There's a good pet shop at Drakehouse Retail Park - the staff seem to know what they're talking about up there.

That's right. Isn't it Pets at home? There's one at Heeley Retail Park as well. They're good in there.

I've had several hamsters now and unfortunately (sorry to break it to you) there's not really much scope for training them to do interesting things. I hate to say it but they're just not intelligent enough, don't get me wrong I still love hamsters for what they are.....little cotton wool balls of cuteness but turning them into anything other than that is near impossible.

The problem is that they aren't social creatures i.e. they really couldn't care less whether they get picked up and played with or not. Basically all it needs to remain happy is somewhere warm to sleep, a wheel, food and water......sorry!

Sometimes they do amusing things on their own though. One of my hamsters, Pepper used to amuse herself (and me) for hours by simply hanging from the wires at the top of her cage until she fell off (onto a soft floor), and then she'd do it all over again.

My new pet is (wait for it....) a rat. I went along to the pet shop about a month ago to buy a new hamster as my current one, Violet had recently been put to sleep. Somehow I just fell in love with him and named him Monty. I would highly recommend getting a rat to anyone as he's easy to handle, entertaining and he's so intelligent. He is far from timid, he comes back to me when I call his name and I can even have wrestling matches with him using my fingers. He pounces on my hand and gently bites my fingers.......he's great fun! He even curls up on my shoulder and falls asleep which I love. The only downside is that I feel a greater responsibility towards him because he gets depressed if I don't give him enough attention.

Anyway, that's enough waffle from me, i hope I've helped a little bit!

You certainly have, Claire.

I really, really thought that I might be able to get great things out of the little mite, with a lot of perseverance you understand, but I feel rather disillusioned now.

However, all is not lost - they must be good at something, surely?

Actually, I just put an ad up in the classifieds hoping that someone out there may be able to offer professional help.

Wish me luck!

You know, hamsters aren't really supposed to do splendid things. That's not what they were sent here to do. The role of the hamster is to simply be. That is all. Occasionally they will bring a little excitement into your life by escaping and setting up home in the wall cavities, but that's about it really. You shouldn't be disillusioned by this, it's actually a wonderful thing when you think about it. Imagine if humans were content with simply existing. The world would be a fine place.

From 'How to Care for Your Hamster (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/185279156X/txtbux-21)' by Mary Appleton

http://www.nickcrossland.co.uk/stuff/ham_train.jpg

(sorry I couldn't be bothered to type it all)

** In memory of Lucy, who disappeared behind the washing machine, and never came back ** :cry:

Thanks for that, that's great. I have read it and it's very useful. I'm so sorry about Lucy! Rotten luck.

Are you absolutely barking mad SanMiguel???
Or was that a bit of a wind up?

Barking mad? Me? I beg your pardon!

No, of course not. I just love creatures, especially little furry ones. That's all.

And what's so wrong in that?

I just have this wonderful dream.

It started a couple of years ago when I saw a lady proudly parading a pet ferret on a lead around the local shopping area. And then when I heard a recent interview on the local radio in which a woman talked about her pet sparrow called Ronnie Barker (it’s all right, that’s what I thought as well), my suspicions were all but confirmed.

Things were about to change. We were about to turn our backs on such assorted exotica as snakes and lizards in our quests to own unusual pets, and instead were turning to more traditional furry and feathery specimens of British wildlife for companionship.

Indeed, why shouldn’t we invite our friends of the forests into our homes? Why shouldn’t we welcome our woodland wildlife into our abodes to share a more intimate and meaningful relationship with us?

What would be so wrong with a curled up badger snoozing contentedly on the hearthrug on a cosy autumn night as the family watched Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?

And couldn’t we get used to the family squirrel jumping up on our laps and rolling over for a quick tummy tickle as we settled down with the evening paper? Of course we could.

And indeed we will. Things are changing, and changing fast.

I can just see ‘Beware of the fox’ signs in abundance on suburban garden gates and weasel flaps on council estate front doors becoming commonplace.

What’s more, it could spread – and well beyond these small, fair isles. Trends like this can escalate rapidly, quickly becoming global issues.

Our friends from across The Pond may soon be providing food and shelter for their bison and racoons.

Down under, Koala bears may soon leave their eucalyptus trees for good and move on to share the domestic delights offered lovingly by well meaning Australian families.

Three toed sloths will make wonderful companions for South American children, as will penguins in the southernmost reaches of this vast continent.

It makes you feel so very proud to be British. This great nation that gave the World: football, The Beatles, and infected meat, will have pioneered the greatest coming-togetherness of all time. I feel so incredibly privileged to have witnessed the beginning of this great new beginning.

Of course, I just might have got it all wrong.

While I remember: I got Tiddles to stand upright by enticing her with tit-bits (little pieces of apple) last night. I repeated this several times and she responded really well.

I am busy trying to think of a way to get her to roll over next.

Any ideas?

Originally posted by Clair-bear
My new pet is (wait for it....) a rat. I went along to the pet shop about a month ago to buy a new hamster as my current one, Violet had recently been put to sleep. Somehow I just fell in love with him and named him Monty. I would highly recommend getting a rat to anyone as he's easy to handle, entertaining and he's so intelligent. He is far from timid, he comes back to me when I call his name and I can even have wrestling matches with him using my fingers. He pounces on my hand and gently bites my fingers.......he's great fun! He even curls up on my shoulder and falls asleep which I love. The only downside is that I feel a greater responsibility towards him because he gets depressed if I don't give him enough attention.

Anyway, that's enough waffle from me, i hope I've helped a little bit!

Rats are the best...intelligent and very loving.
Hamsters are a lost cause:P

Hey, Clair, I'm trying to get rid of a very big rat-house at the mo. Had it custom built. PM me if you're interested

Cosy:P

I agree with Clair-bear they are just cute and lovable and thats about it. But can I ask people not to put hamsters in these balls and other things that they cant get out of. They are not enjoying themselves. Actually they are panicking to get out that is why they roll about alot. Sorry to be a spoilsport but sometimes we hurt the things we love without knowing. I saw an item on television a long time ago about hamsters being put in these fun toys and the expert was horrified.

Do you know: I'm glad you said that. you have just confirmed my beliefs. That is why I have been searching the pet shops high and low in the hope of finding some kind of hamster harness.

Sadly, I fear they don't exist. Pets at home at the Heeley Retail Park was my fianal call today and they don't have them.

So when I got home, I thought: hey! Why not make one. This has resulted in my first prototype.

The whole thing is around thirty three feet long so as to give Tiddles the freedom of the house, if you like - just the downstairs that is - so that she can rough and tumble and run wherever she likes.

One end is secured to my computer desk, and the other end has an elastic band which fits snugly around Tiddles's waist. If she goes somewhere she didn't really ought to be going - like the back of the oven, one sharp yank, and she's back on safe ground!
Good, eh!


I haven't tried it yet, but I've tried it on Fudge, my wife's small stuffed dog and the yanking back bit works like a dream! Superb!

I will try it later on and let you know how well it works on the real thing.

If it does work well, I'll begin torefine this sparkling new innovation and you never know, it could be in big demand.

Dont give up,whatever people say its not true.

Look at Hammy Hamster he went on to great things,I saw him once on tv in a boat (a speed boat no less) not a cheap piece of junk.
Dont think its on tv any more,cant remember what it was called.

It does go to show that a hamster can achieve great goals with the correct support,,,,lol



Stop thinking and start drinking

Tales of the Riverbank. That was what Hammy Hamster was off. I used to love that programme when I was in my twenties. My eyes go all damp at the very thought of it.

I think I first fell in love with the species through this. Don't worry, I won't give up, I owe it to you all after the sound advice I have received.

May I also express my gratitude to the staff at Pets at Home at Heeley Retal Park who.

Tiddles will do tricks.

Mate - it's a f*cking hamster. It does not do tricks.

I think you secretly wanted a monkey but the wife said no.

Next thing you know he'll be giving it karate lessons, lol.

The harness sounds like a great idea but one thinks ones crank is being yanked:loopy:

When your hamster is on its wheel,you can connect it to an old bike dynamo.
This will produce a small 12v current to power such things as a torch,you then have an enviromently friendly hamster.

This can be ideal at christmas,saving you pounds on batteries.




Happy hamstering

A hamster, a wooden spoon, and a disregard for god's creatures makes a perfect brush for scrubbing those hard-to-reach parts of your back.

I really have produced a prototype of the harness. Honest! I did it yesterday. I don't know if the elastic bands are too tight and am frightened to use it in case I harm her.

My wife refuses to let me try it on the little mite point blank, but when all is said and done if it works, it could be real breakthrough.

I looked at those rabbit harnesses ( much too big to be adapted for hamsters) in the Big W this afternoon, and asked an assistant if they had any for small rodents but she wasn't very helpful at all.

I tried tricking the wife last night. She was going to bed and I said I was stopping downstairs to look at porn on the PC. She said: "You liar, you wan't to try that harness out on Tiddles!" and made me go to bed.

I'll sneak it in somewhere, don't worry.

Its ya lucky day.

Your quest ends here you can get a real Hamster Harness and lead for the sum of £2.85.
It is 1100mm in length and comprises of of the harness and lead,a must for those sunday walks with your hamster.


http://www.petcentreonline.co.uk/ecommerce/productdisplays/product.asp?pid=308

Tango: thanks for that. I will be ordering one tonight. You are a star!!!

Sorted. I ordered one!

Just had a phone call confirming the order. £3.55 including postage. Should be here by Thursday at the latest.

Not bad service and quite cheap

That's what I thought. 70p for post and package. Not bad, eh?

Well, the harness arrived this morning through the post. It has an adjustable loop on the end where the animal's head goes through and another one for it's body.

Then there is a leash around 1 metre long.

I do hope the little mite takes to it. I wonder if they are designed for indoor use only? It doesn't say anything about this on the packet I mean, what would be so wrong in with taking Tiddles outdoors on a clement spring day so that she can get some fresh air?

I'm sure that she'll look all regal and tremendous in this new get-up and that it will make her feel loved, secure and hopefully very, very happy.

I tried the harness on the hamster, but she got really uptight and wriggled out of it in no time. I tried for almost an hour, but alas, I finally had to admit defeat and give in. Reluctantly I gave up and picked up the by-now shaking little creature and returned her to her cage. I felt so sad, like I'd let her down.

Does anyone know the best way to calm a hamster's nerves and to reassure it that I mean no harm?

If I try playing some soft music - a Carpenter's CD - might this help? Or could I put some strong drugs in her food?

I'll keep on trying but if if things carry on like this, I can see me having to chuck her out and buy a rat instead.

DF118. I was given them for my last two injuries. The stuff sends me woozy and i'm 12 stone. Should work for calming a hamster.

But I haven't got any of that. Where do you get it from? I've got some aspirin, though.

It's easy to get hold of.

Just badly fracture a limb (not difficult knowing your luck! ;) ) and then go to hospital. They'll give you loads for free.

I just had ago at falling off my chair and landing on my elbow, but I missed the floor. I'll keep trying.

Originally posted by jackthedog
DF118. I was given them for my last two injuries. The stuff sends me woozy and i'm 12 stone. Should work for calming a hamster.
If it sends you woozy, don't you think it might kill a hampster?

Kill two birds with one stone Sam:

Go and trip over the dodgy cracked tarmac around the bottom of the tree outside your house, and break you arm. Then the council will come and fix the pavement, and you'll also get the drugs your hamster requires from the hospital!
Might even get a bit of compensation from the council, which could go towards getting a rat if the hamster doesnt start booking it's ideas up.

How's about that?

Now that sounds like common sense. Hang on a bit.

If that fails go outside on bin day,making sure its windy and hang round for a while until you get hit by a stray wheelie bin.
Or come and stand on my road,chances are you will get hit by the shuttle bus that flys up and down at break neck speeds

Originally posted by jackthedog

Might even get a bit of compensation from the council, which could go towards getting a rat if the hamster doesnt start booking it's ideas up.

How's about that? [/B]


I agree,your Hamster really needs to get its act together,have you tried a pep talk.
Highlight that fact that there are lots of pets that would love a harness,and he/she is not just letting you down.
He/she is letting the whole Hamster race down,leave some pets at home leaflets around the house.

This hamster just needs a total attitude adjustment I reckon.

Stick it outside for a bit on bin day.

That'll show it how bad things really are, and it'll beg to be let back in.

Then it'll perform all manor of splendid things, knowing that things could get a LOT worse very easily!

I 've trying to get outside to break my leg, but I can't find the key.

By the way, it reminded me to e mail the council about the state of the pavement. Just done that now.

But there's no sign of any pavement repairers or lumberjacks yet!

Oh, dear: I don't know quite how to put this - Tiddles has got body odour. It's strange, it really is, but she smells of CIDER. One whiff of her fur makes you think that she has spent a lost weekend sleeping with tramps.

Does anyone have any suggestions as how to bring up hamsters in a clean and hygenic way? I looked into ordering ' The Hamster and Furry Rodents Weekly' but it's only available through subscription, which I can ill afford at £72 per year just to find out what the hamsters equivalent of 'Sure 'is.

Hoping someone can help.

Has anybody got any tips for sorting out hamsters with runny poos?

I think it might have been that chicken I gave her last night. It had been hanging around in the fridge since Friday night, and to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have eaten it myself. It stunk.

I just thought that sturdy rodents such as the hamster had strong stomachs and considered high meat a necessary challenge to test the integrity of their digestive systems

Anyway, any ideas how to make it better?

Does anyone know the correct technique for bathing a hamster? Is the water temperature crucial for example and what is the best soap (if any) to use?

I have been bathing Tiddles on a weekly basis in a likewarm bowl of water about an inch deep. She really seems to enjoy being splashed - and I know it sounds silly - but I could swear she giggled this morning when I first immersed her.

Any ideas?

Can I give my hamster a bath in warm water ?


Yes you can give a hamster a bath. BUT I would only do so if they were extremely dirty or had something sticky on their fur. Test the water first to make sure it is not too hot or too cold. Use a very mild shampoo (in the UK I would recommend Johnson's Baby shampoo) try to keep it away from the eyes. Then rinse and then using clean water (tested for temperature) rinse again. Then dry carefully in a towel and finish drying using a hair dryer. When using the hair dryer leave one hand between hamster and dryer to ensure that it does not get too hot. You may need to comb the fur as it dries. If the fur is not bad I would not bathe a hamster they don't usually need it.


Courtesy of the
National Hamster Council (http://www.hamsters-uk.org) website.

No I am not a member.

Thanks for that. That proves we are bathing her too often. Will cut down accordingly.

The thing is, you understand, we are only out to give the little mite a happy little life and want what's best for her.

here's a tip for hamsters. in cold spells they tend to go into semi-hibernation. to bring them out of this put them in the microwave on defrost for one and a half minutes.

I just told little Tiddles this and the very thought of it made her blood boil.

Oh dear! Poor Tiddles. It had to happen I suppose. She was in her hamster ball last night, and I left the cellar door open.

Yes, you guessed it. She bounced down the lot, busting her ball, but she seems all right.

My wife was furious.

Should I ring the doctor just in case she has broken something?

Ahh, poor Tiddles. Is she walking ok? If so I wouldn't think she broke anything. One of my kids hamsters once did that - quite a long time ago now though, that one has long since passed away. Didn't seem to have any lasting effects thankfully and the hamster lived a good couple of years after. Strong little creatures hamsters!

I'm slightly surprised that Richard Gere and the Pet Shop Boys haven't been on the Forum to describe their Hamster training methods. I understand that it's possible to train a Hamster to hold a torch!

Tiddles could have doen with a torch on Saturday, it's pitch black down that cellar.

Good job hamsters can see in the dark! I've just got a new hamster and am also trying to train him. I think I'm on the verge of a breakthough, I'm trying to train him so that when I call him he'll come to see me. I find cheese and spaghetti are good treats for this!
I think the trick is to start off easy then work up to jumping through hoops, mine won't even go in his wheel yet!
They seem to be quite sturdy though, little Mousey got kicked across the room spinning in his ball the other day and lives to tell the tail!

Just came up with this thread searching for a cheap carpet shop, think I may need to improve me search technique.

Anyway was wondering if there was any progress on the hamster training, thinking of getting one myself but may opt for something more entertaining if the tricks havent been forthcoming.

Our hamster is so trained he does his own ironing.

Originally posted by Sam Miguel
......hoping that someone out there may be able to offer professional help.

Wish me luck!

what to you or the hamster...sorry couldnt resist! LOL
luv aunty witch xx