We got a hamster from Pets at Home at the beginning of Feb. While DD was choosing one, I asked the salesman how old they were, how much they had been handled etc - they were 9 weeks old and had NEVER been handled. Not at all. 
Of course, by that time, DD had chosen one and named him. The salesman scooped him into the box without touching it.
10 weeks later and we still can't handle him. We've tried, we really have. I've had about 10 hamsters over the years (not including the totally unexpected litter of 5 from a "male hamster" we'd had for 2 weeks), so it's not like I'm a novice at small furry animals. He will just tolerate me putting my hand in his cage and touching his back - for about two seconds, then he turns and rears up and nips.
I am on the point of giving up. :(
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Small pets
We can't tame our hamster.
oopslateagain · 19/04/2013 18:07
try offering treats from the palm of your hand, but dont try and touch or lift him.
you could get a large plastic box/ cardboard box and put some tubes and toys in it. while hamster is in box, let it sniff your hands, and run over them so he gets used to your smell and realises you mean no harm.
another way I've read is to sit in a dry bath, lined with a towel and let hamster run over you to get used to you. you can move slowly to picking it up after it gets more used to you.
it does take time and some hamsters never really enjoy being picked up but you'll get there 
Could it be a Russian hamster? They're the least tame-able kind apparently.
We got a hamster from Pets at Home and were told it was a male hamster. We were wondering after a few days why it suddenly turned reclusive and angry - we found out when we opened its hidey-home one morning and there were 6 babies in there
at furry ninja. That's what we've got!Hi! I got a russian dwarf hamster about 2 months ago now, also from pets at home. She's been a tough one to tame, but we're getting there. I found sitting in an empty bath helps a lot (with a towel down for grip). Once she seemed ok, climbing on my legs and feet, I started picking her up in a box, and then letting her out on my hand about an inch off the bottom of the bath. At first she jumped straight off, but after 2-3 weeks she paused on my hand a bit. For the last 2 weeks, I have cupped my hands against my chest while sat in the bath (so it's hard for her to get down, but if she falls she won't get hurt) and had a family member gently tip her out into my hands. We sit there for only about 20 seconds before she climbs down my body and into the bath - but it just helps get her used to me. I feed her 2 or 3 pumpkin seeds while she's in the bath climbing around me (usually 20-30 minutes) then I try gently scooping her up. I have only succeeded twice, but it helps. So yeah - maybe try that?
oh - I do this every time I wash her cage, so once a week. I also hand feed her 2ish pumpkin seeds if I see her out and about in her cage (maximum of 4 a day)
I've definitely taken a fair few bites from her during the first month, but it has been a while now. However, she still bites my mum, who has much less to do with her. So.. She lives in my room, which may or may not be helping get her used to my smell - I'm not sure.
Anyway - hope I helped!
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