My new Syrian hamster: What signs show it's ready for taming?

Thanks for reaching out about Knight. Training can start at any time. The key is to keep movement slow and deliberate, the environment quiet and calming. You might want to start with a soft towel to lift out of cage as they are often defensive to their territory. Good luck.

I am sorry to hear about your frustration with your hamster! I Am sure you want to be able to tame him. Many hamsters can be tamed but it can require time and patience. The older a hamster is, the more difficult it may be to train them as they are already used to not having humans handle them. Try to only interact with your hamster when he is already awake. This may mean the night time since usually they are sleeping during the day time. If you wake him he is going to be upset already! Don't bother him if he is eating or drinking. Start off by just placing some treats into his cage and then setting your hand inside the cage, a little ways from the treats, so the hamster can get to the treats but doesn't have to touch you to do so. Leave your hand there for several minutes without moving it. Repeat this daily, until the hamster is coming and eating the treats. Once he is comfortable enough to eat the treats with your hand in the cage, start placing the treats on the tips of your fingers as you lay your hand flat in the cage, palm side up. Continue this daily, and hopefully with time he will take the treat from your hand, and if he does this consistently you can move the treat to the center of your palm. Once he will sit on your hand and take the treat, you can try gently picking him up. This may take quite some time, especially if he is older and not used to people. Best of luck to you!

You have only had him for a week. You need to be patient, let him smell your hand/finger, pet him a little , let him climb on your hand, rather than forcing him to be on your hand by picking him up. It will take time before he trusts you, It can take 2 months before he is comfortable with you picking him up. Put yourself in his place: You are a terribly big human trying to grab a tiny animal,... that is very very scary. You need to gain his trust,

Hamsters definitely love to run on wheels. This does not necessarily mean they are not interested in human interaction. Potko may just be a little apprehensive about his new relationship with his owner, in this case, you. Even if he resists, I would suggest taking him out of the cage a little bit every day and handling him. Offer him treats and toys to play with so that he associates you with something positive. Eventually, he will understand that you are a friend. I would increase interaction with him little by little every day. Do not start with hours of interaction immediately. This will shock Potko a little too much.

The Syrian, or Teddy Bear, hamster would be the best choice for first pet. Allow the hamster to settle in for a few days then gradually acclimate him/her to being pet or handled. Always use praise and rewards after each session.

Congratulations on your new hamster. I am linking an article here which gives an in depth discussion on methods to try to tame your hamster: http://www.yourpethamster.com/care/taming The key is having patience and persistence. Working at this several times a day and taking it slow to build up your hamster's trust in you. Best of luck to you and Charlie!

Hamsters natural inclination being a small rodent is to be afraid/hide. Some patience and treats may help earn your hamsters trust. First try spending some time each day just sitting quietly outside your hamsters cage. You can read a book or something that doesn't require movement, just be near the cage. Once your hamster doesn't run away while you are quietly sitting you can start just placing your hand in the cage without trying to pick her up. Placing a tasty treat near your hand to entice her to come near. If you do this every day, eventually she will hopefully come to find you less scary and allow you to interact with her more!