Handling

Materials

Playpen

If you're new to handling hamsters, especially fast ones like robos, I'd recommend making a playpen. I'd avoid buying one because hamsters can climb mesh and metal bars, and they can easily be made out of cardboard. Linked here is a tutorial on how to make one.

To keep your floor clean and protected, you can lay down an old blanket or buy clear vinyl. I've used both and they work great -- you just need to watch out if your hamster likes to chew through blankets.

Food or Treats

You can use your hamster's usual food or some seeds to help lure them into your hand. Make sure you don't use unhealthy, sugary treats, as you may go through a lot in a single session.

Training

When you first get your hamster you will want to give them some time to adjust to their new environment. Avoid handling them for a few days but let them get used to the sound of your voice and your scent by rubbing your hands on pieces of toilet paper and leaving them in the cage.

Once your hamster has settled in, let them get used to your hands. Place your hands in the cage and offer them seeds. Start by holding them out between your fingers, as picture below, and when they gain confidence in taking them from you, begin holding the seeds in your hand and having them crawl in to get them.

Holding seed in fingers — How to hold out seeds in your fingers.

Holding seeds in palm — How to hold out seeds in your palm.

When your hamster feels comfortable with your presence, you can transfer them to a playpen (try carrying them over in a tube or hide) to practice outside of the cage. Make sure you give them a couple hides so they have somewhere they feel safe.

As you grow your hamster's trust, you can work on things like scooping them up or petting their backs. Following the same method, you can lure them towards or into your hand and introduce new skills as they eat.

Make sure you move at a pace your hamster is comfortable with. Don't push them past their boundaries. You want to avoid making handling a stressful experience. I would avoid forcing them into your hand while they're still learning to be handled, as they may grow distrustful of you.

Body Language

When learning to handle your hamster, it is incredibly helpful to know how they're feeling. Their body language will tell you when they're comfortable and when they may be getting ready to bite. Linked here is a guide to what different behaviors mean.