What You Should Know About Training Hamster Pets
Hamsters can be trained as pets, and the process if
very similar to the way that you train your dog.
There are 3 basic steps. First you establish a connection so that the hamster is comfortable with you. Then you reward the behavior you are training for. Then you practice and repeat the cycle. Here are some tips on how to accomplish each of the steps.
First, you must allow your hamster to get used to you and give it reasons to trust you. When you first bring it home, it needs some time to get used to its new environment. So make sure its cage is clean and safe, but do not try to start picking up the hamster and handling it for a couple of days. Some people put a small article of their clothing in the cage with the hamster. This helps the hamster get used to your scent.
After your hamster has settled in for a few days, begin the training process by teaching it to get used to your hand. You can put a small treat in the palm of your hand and rest your hand on the bottom of the hamster’s cage, palm up so that the hamster can access the treat. It may take several tries and a few hours for the hamster to summon the courage to take the treat from your hand, but when it does, you know you have made progress.
Repeat the process over the course of a couple of days, and then try picking the hamster u on you hand when it takes the treat. Be gentle but hold the hamster firmly enough that it will not fall out of your hand. While you are practicing, you can use the hamster’s name as well, so he will begin learning it.
After you have succeeded in establishing trust so that the hamster is comfortable letting you pick it up, you can begin to train it to do some tricks. Like your dog, your hamster can learn to sit up, shake hands and come to you when you call its name. It is just a matter of consistency, patience and regular practice.
When you are using treats for rewards, use foods that your hamster likes and that are healthy, too. The biggest mistake that people make when choosing treats is thinking in terms of human treats. Never use candy or junk food. And even though the pet store sells products labeled as hamster treats, read the label before you buy them. If they contain sugar or a long list of chemical ingredients they will not be good for your hamster, no matter how attractive the label looks. Use sunflower seeds, tiny bits or apple or tiny pieces of other foods that are healthy for your hamster.
