Newbie here!

[guidofatherof5]

Patients is key with them. You can't calm them on your time. It has to be done on their time.

[Laura]

Had the same deal with Lola, but that was just down to the fact that the place I got her from didn't really get the chance to handle her any other time other than when they fed her. So I guess she just thought I was food She's never tried to bite me again since the first day I took her home though.

[Mix]

I have an infinite supply of patience, but am unsure of the best course?

What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?

I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!

She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.

I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.

[guidofatherof5]

I have an infinite supply of patience, but am unsure of the best course?

What would everyone recommend? Trying to handle her a little every other day or so, or leave off the handling completely for a while?

I don't mind the biting if the best course is to get her used to being held, and on the other hand I didn't know whether it will make it more difficult the longer I leave it? Advice would be very welcome!

She's fine with my hands going into the viv so far, if a little wary, and hasn't bitten in that situation, but she did bite the guy at the store when he got her out, and he put it down to her being hungry (she has been fed since). It seems to just be when she's handled.

I absolutely do not want to do anything that will make her uncomfortable or scared, but I don't want her to be surprised and stressed out when it comes to essential handling such as cleaning the viv etc.

I don't think you can do anything but stress and scare her in the beginning. It's a neccessary evil towards a good goal.

Rhea's advice is solid.
You might also consider this: Try put your hand in and let her come to you. She may come by you in a panic and touch you. This will show her you're not going to grab her. After this initial period she will calm down and may come out to you. They're natural curiousity will eventually take over.
You may also hold off feeding a couple of times. Then offer food by hand.
While holding the food blow air across it towards your snake. If she's hungry she will come out towards the food an probably take it. She may immediately retreat to her hide but that's OK. It's a start.
I have baited wild snakes out of their hides. Hunger is a great motivator.
You'll do fine with whatever you do and before you know it she'll be coming out to greet you and even get up in your hand.
Best of luck.

[Mix]

Aaah, thank you both! It's a relief to know that I'm not doing wrong.
Thank you for the great advice! I'll let you know how it goes.

[drache]

a late welcome to you, Mix
my approach has been to handle them every day long enough for them to settle down a bit (usually 5-10 minutes), and then return them to their enclosure. that tends to work pretty well. after a while they habituate

[guidofatherof5]

That last photo is awesome. I love it when they yawn and flex their lips.
You've got a good looking little scrub there. Glad to hear things are improving. It can only get better.
Before long, she'll have you completely under her control

[Mix]

Results today!

The day after she fed from my hand, I sat with my hand dangling in the tank for a good long while. She didn't come up to me, but wasn't too jumpy, and explored around the viv lots.

Tonight, I sat with my hand in again. After a while, she started moving round the viv reeeeally fast. I thought she was getting too freaked out, but then she came up towards me onto the top platform. I picked her up, and after a few nips at my hands, she calmed down a lot! (To be fair, I think I was as nervous as she was.) Successfully held her for around 15 minutes. I think she'd have been fine for longer, but didn't want to push it - I wanted her to trust me to put her back in safe.

What an amazing feeling!

[guidofatherof5]

Congrats. Keep up the good work. She's training you well

[ConcinusMan]

it's true. What Steve said is true. If you are to be great to your garter snakes, and to be the best owner a garter can have, you must let them train YOU.