Territorial Dwarf Hamster?

Question

I have a winter white dwarf hamster mix I got from petco( i didnt breed her my dad wouldnt let me in a million years). She is really territorial, if I put my finger or hand in the cage she tries to tear it off with her teeth. Last time she took a big chunk from my finger. It was kinda my fault because I jerked my hand. She is old and I want to know if I can get her to stop being so territorial? Also, is there any way to get her to stop giving me her ' welcome bite ' every time I get her out of the cage? Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Sometimes the answer is no.  If your hamster is old, it may be blind.  Although it may look like it is getting around the cage okay, keep in mind their sense of smells is very good.  Of course getting around isn't hard.  With that, if she can't see your hand, she may be smelling something you ate.  Wash your hands every time you try sticking your hand in there.

Try taming her with the old glove trick.  First get a new glove and leave it laying around your room for awhile so it picks up your scent.  Then around the same time every day (or night) stick your hand in her cage to pick her up.  Because you're wearing a glove, her biting shouldn't hurt and thus you should be able to stop jerking your hand away.  It may be that you'll always have to wear gloves to handle her, but it is better than not handling her at all.

Another thing to try is the treat and palm trick.  Simply pull on your glove and lay a treat in the center of your palm.  Stick it in her cage and let her take the treat and walk away.  Allow her to do this once a day, everyday for as long as it takes for her to sit on your hand and eat the treat.  Then it has become rather a trick than a trust exercise.  This should make it easier for you to pick her up to if she'll come to you and get on your palm, but make sure you move slowly at first because, to get her to come, you'll have to be extremely still.  Moving suddenly will surly scare her.  So always take her feelings into account that way you'll get along with her better.

Dwarf hamsters are naturally territorial, so getting her trust may be next to impossible, but with patience, love, and gentleness it can be done.  Stay patient, love her no matter what, and always be gentle.  ^^

Answer 2

well yes u can get her to stop giving u her welcome bite i have a chinese dwalf hamster that never bit wen i 1st got him but then all of a sudden he did. if she bites u this may sound harsh but just give her a tap on the nose as that is the most sensitive part of them it works as that is how i have got mine out of biting now. If she bites wen in the cage give her the tap on the nose and say no close the cage and walk away like wiv a child where u ignore them if there naughty, or if she is out and bites tap her nose say no put her back in the cage close it and walk away start getting in the habbit of giving her a treat wen she has been out and put back wiv out biting and if she bites give her nothing she will learn gd luck