Henry

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, he really does communicate his feelings very well. He is so cute.

 

[Member ID2]

Looking forward to hear how his out of cage time goes next time he asks. I think he'll love it but wanted to get to know you better to see if this human can be trusted. Henry is a little character and good at expressing himself.

 

[ilguy]

We ended up not doing the adventure, Henry needs to get used to lifting. He got up early to greet me again, followed me along the bin and hopped on for treats. He gave me a polite nibble to ask me to move my hand once, and also when I lifted him an inch. We settled for refilling the treat ball and he played with it a bit.

What continued to baffle me until today is his corner, he did the flump and glare again. It seems like an extra "I'm all done" tell, plus a break spot.

He will sit there for a good 15 minutes or so, and dislikes me interacting with him when he's there. I finally figured it when Henry started napping eventually, he is the first hamster I've had that takes above burrow naps. So in the future when he sits down for a nap there I'm leaving him be.

I got some footage of him flumped, he later fell asleep upside down against the bin there:

Flump

 

[elusive]

It sounds as though that corner is his me time place! I often find they have a particular place they’ll go if they aren’t in the mood for intereacting & want to do there own thing.
Getting used to lifting can take a little time.
Have you tried introducing a taxi for him to carry him to his out of cage time space? It can help to just get them used to walking into it before actually carrying them.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, he looks like a child sulking! What a cute little boy. A taxi sounds like a great idea to take Henry out.

 

[Member ID2]

One of my dwarfs goes into a taxi mug and a Robo walks into a small Pringles tube taxi. I've tried hands but they don't like it and jump off even when they want to come out.

 

[ilguy]

I did use a taxi, have a coffee mug he climbs into. He still nibbled my other hand I covered it with, wanted out.

 

[elusive]

He’ll probably get used to it soon enough, I usually just let them climb in & out a few times without covering or carrying then if they don’t seem keen try something else.

 

[ilguy]

He’ll probably get used to it soon enough, I usually just let them climb in & out a few times without covering or carrying then if they don’t seem keen try something else.

Not a bad idea, I will try that and see. I do think it's the lifting sensation that is bothering him.

 

[ilguy]

Got some new footage, Henry again got up a bit earlier and was so eager for morning treats he pulled my hand down! I refilled his treat ball, and we had a good 5 minutes of interaction. He's feeling more confident and secure, today he gave me two distinct nibbles to let me know when he was done instead of a flump in the corner. I wasn't sure, he looked like he wanted more and let me know when I put my hand back in. That corner is indeed his new nap spot, he was asleep on his back all day there.

We have a good routine now, looks like his mornings are when he wants together time.

Henry Overload
Treat Ball
Breakfast Time

 

[elusive]

Lovely videos, his little face looking up at you in the first one is just so adorable.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, Henry is adorable! He seems so sweet and gentle. I love the gentle way you talk to him.

 

[Maz]

He's really enjoying that treat ball - with vigour!

 

[ilguy]

Took your guys suggestions from the other thread, and found some hamster safe clutter I've added. The reptile shop was a great idea. Replaced a one entrance green castle in favor of the log on the right. I'm hopeful he likes the cork log, it's hollow and perfect for the Henry Highway. I'm not very creative, suggestions are 5000% welcome!

He built a new construction overnight, and is currently sleeping in that ridge he made behind the wheel. I also finally found his hidden pee spot that was starting to give an odor, it was the under the corner opposite his nap space. Got the soiled bedding out.

His big bin from the top.

 

[ilguy]

We had a lovely night together, Henry let me pet him for the first time! He's always up for treat time, and I got to pet him gently for a whole five minutes while munching on pumpkin seeds. At the end he just stopped munching and relaxed. He let me chill in his sand bath while grooming himself, and gave me a few licks too. We've developed a good bond, and I'm so happy to see him blossom after a bit of a slow start.

I didn't get footage of the petting, wanted to be super careful and gentle. But I did get him doing what he loves the most, zooming as fast as he can! He also immediately took to the other corner again with the soiled bedding deep underneath gone, and used it for bath + nap time. You can tell he's near the limit of human time, we had a lot.

Made of Speed!
Nap Time
Gotta Groom

 

[elusive]

His bin looks great now, I’m sure he’ll love the cork log, lots to do in there & some nice new textures to explore.
Love the videos too, he really has bonded with you so well now.

 

[Maz]

Great videos. He looks such a happy chilled little boy. He'll love the cork log. And really nice he sits for a cuddle. Did you really mean to say he let you sit in his sand bath?! Or did I misread that?

 

[elusive]

Did you really mean to say he let you sit in his sand bath?! Or did I misread that?

I did wonder too!

 

[Frida]

Henry's home looks great. I loved the videos

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw, Henry looks so happy! How wonderful he let you pet him for 5minutes.