Breeding Hamsters...

Question
Dear Shawntiah,
I have a Chinese hamster, who will soon be mating with my friend's male chinese. How long should we leave the male in with the female? We want him to help care for the babies, but we don't want another litter. Also, how can I toilet-train my hamster? She is about 10 weeks old or so, and she goes to the toilet everywhere! I haven't bothered getting a corner toilet or any other type. Should I invest in one, and how should I use it?
Thanks, Ashley.
P.S My hamster is called Dash, and my friend's is called Chi-Chi.

Answer
Hi! Wow what cute names. Okay lets first stsrt with the potty training. I wouldn't invest in a cornet toilet for your hamster. The hamster potties are really to take advantage of your hamster's way of liking to go in one specific corner more than the other corners. If your hamster is just going everywhere and not really going in one concentrated corner then there really isn't a reason to buy it since it will hard to train him to go the bathroom in the corner.
Now as for mating. Chi-Chi shouldn't be kept in the cage when the babies are born. What you should do is place both hamsters in the cage together. Remove the male when Dash is only a few hours away from having her babies. That's when you seperate the male. If you wait until after she gives birth she could get pregnant within a few hours of giving birth. Once she has the pups leave her alone and don't change out any of the bedding for a few weeks or so. Put some tissue paper in the cage while she is pregnant so she can fluff up a nest. Good luck and if you have questions feel free to ask.