Waffles
- Thread starter Doodleham
- Start date
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Little miss Waffles is still being a hooligan. She's loving playpen time. But still tries to bite me 
. However the weirdest thing is I can lift her back to her cage or out to the playpen in her "taxi" (a little plastic pets at home house) with my hand Infront of the door to stop her jumping out. And she doesn't bite. 
I can also hand-feed her and she grabs it. But if I put my hand down to her she will bite. 
She is so cute though so I just laugh inside at her behaviour. Tiny little thug.
. However the weirdest thing is I can lift her back to her cage or out to the playpen in her "taxi" (a little plastic pets at home house) with my hand Infront of the door to stop her jumping out. And she doesn't bite. I can also hand-feed her and she grabs it. But if I put my hand down to her she will bite. She is so cute though so I just laugh inside at her behaviour. Tiny little thug.
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598
So, I finally got Gloves. 
Miss Waffles likes to hang off the finger of the glove and keeps giving bite after bite. She's very slightly less bitey in the playpen than at the cage door. But I've noticed she will try and bite my hand and then doesn't stop she keeps biting and biting. I don't think she's stressed out because she'll happily sit on my hand and eat a mealworm but then attacks my hand. Also she runs right up to me for attention and if I'm in in the room she chews the cage bars for attention from me. It's rather strange her behaviour. I can only assume something has happened to her in her previous home sadly.
She uses her "hammy taxi" (old plastic hamster house) with no issues to transfer to and from her home to playpen and never bites my hand when it's Infront of the taxi door. She's such a character and I love her to bits, but she's a wild child .lol.
Miss Waffles likes to hang off the finger of the glove and keeps giving bite after bite. She's very slightly less bitey in the playpen than at the cage door. But I've noticed she will try and bite my hand and then doesn't stop she keeps biting and biting. I don't think she's stressed out because she'll happily sit on my hand and eat a mealworm but then attacks my hand. Also she runs right up to me for attention and if I'm in in the room she chews the cage bars for attention from me. It's rather strange her behaviour. I can only assume something has happened to her in her previous home sadly.She uses her "hammy taxi" (old plastic hamster house) with no issues to transfer to and from her home to playpen and never bites my hand when it's Infront of the taxi door. She's such a character and I love her to bits, but she's a wild child .lol.
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It sounds like she likes you but doesn't trust hands 
And food is a bit of a distraction from that momentarily. Then she protects herself with the odd bite so she can go back to the food?
Gloves sounds like the way to go - maybe in time with gloves, she will start accepting your hands and stroking as you'll be able to do a bit more handling maybe. Raffy was like this for about 2 or 3 months, but it did settle once he got used to handling. But then he wasn't a dwarf and they can be more prone to this.
And food is a bit of a distraction from that momentarily. Then she protects herself with the odd bite so she can go back to the food?Gloves sounds like the way to go - maybe in time with gloves, she will start accepting your hands and stroking as you'll be able to do a bit more handling maybe. Raffy was like this for about 2 or 3 months, but it did settle once he got used to handling. But then he wasn't a dwarf and they can be more prone to this.
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598
She definitely doesn't like stroking. If I try and stroke her she like turns around and puts her paws up hissing at me.It sounds like she likes you but doesn't trust hands
Gloves sounds like the way to go - maybe in time with gloves, she will start accepting your hands and stroking as you'll be able to do a bit more handling maybe. Raffy was like this for about 2 or 3 months, but it did settle once he got used to handling. But then he wasn't a dwarf and they can be more prone to this.
- Messages
- 235
- Reaction score
- 551
- Points
- 138
What a great little character. She is lucky to have you. I like the way that you have made a cardboard wall round her cage. I did a similar thing with a previous female syrian (Kashi, rip).
My dwarf ham ham arrives tomorrow.
Good luck with the hand taming.
My dwarf ham ham arrives tomorrow.
Good luck with the hand taming.
- Messages
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I think your guess is right, she must have had a bad experience in the past. It's weird, maybe she's been dropped and it was traumatic for her. It could take a long while, but I hope she eventually stops with the bites. Waffles does sound happy, and I agree with Maz it seems she likes you.
My late Henry likely had a bad experience growing up too before I got him. He was not a fan of handling and took a long time to let me. But he did share his love as long as he was dispensing it. I bet Waffles will in time
It must be hard for hams since they're pretty animals, them learning to trust humans is such a beautiful thing.
My late Henry likely had a bad experience growing up too before I got him. He was not a fan of handling and took a long time to let me. But he did share his love as long as he was dispensing it. I bet Waffles will in time
It must be hard for hams since they're pretty animals, them learning to trust humans is such a beautiful thing.
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598
Well Waffles is still a wild child. But I Iove her to bits regardless.
Some days she doesn't bite at all when out (I wear gloves at all times during handling), and other days
let's just say I'm so glad I'm wearing gloves!! Its so strange. Today she wanted out in the afternoon, taxi took her to the playpen. She was ok I put my hand in playpen and she literally attacked it! She was making like a squeaking/snuffling noise while biting different fingers. I don't know if it's because I put different treats on my hand instead of the usual mealworms and it annoyed her. 
She pouched them anyway in between bites. I definitely don't think she's scared of me because she comes running up to me for attention (or to bite)
But I Iove her to bits regardless.Some days she doesn't bite at all when out (I wear gloves at all times during handling), and other days
let's just say I'm so glad I'm wearing gloves!! Its so strange. Today she wanted out in the afternoon, taxi took her to the playpen. She was ok I put my hand in playpen and she literally attacked it! She was making like a squeaking/snuffling noise while biting different fingers. I don't know if it's because I put different treats on my hand instead of the usual mealworms and it annoyed her. She pouched them anyway in between bites. I definitely don't think she's scared of me because she comes running up to me for attention (or to bite)
- Messages
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- 1,373
It sounds like she isn't going to change, doesn't it? But at least it doesn't hurt with gloves on. Do you say anything when she does it? Like a serious "no" and withdraw the treat? Maybe it would help train her that she only gets the treat if she doesn't bite?
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598
She's fly and usually bites after she's eaten or pouched it. Lol. I can try that next time though. I usually tell her she's a good girl if she's on my hand not biting.
I don't know if she'll change though. But I'm not concerned as she seems happy enough to me, She's just a feisty wee girl.
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Oh dear, thanks for the food mom, have a bite 
Perhaps she thinks your fingers are an extension of the food. Yes, the gloves are a good thing. She's a sweet little hammy nevertheless 
Perhaps she thinks your fingers are an extension of the food. Yes, the gloves are a good thing. She's a sweet little hammy nevertheless
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598
I love her to bits. She's so funny.Oh dear, thanks for the food mom, have a bite
- Messages
- 184
- Reaction score
- 409
- Points
- 598