jediwarrior   10 #1 Posted July 27, 2006 i just bought two baby ferrets one of each sex. They are faily well handled already but any other info to train them would be grate if any one can help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ferretfatcam   10 #2 Posted May 27, 2007 handle young ferrets as much as possible no quick movements they have poor eye sight they soon get tame steve ferretfatcamp Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
terminator   10 #3 Posted May 27, 2007 In what way do you wish to train them If you have got one that is a little nipper most ppl say tap it on the nose INCORRECT this will make them even more agressive. Believe it or not, most nipping from ferrets occurs because they are trying to get you to play with them! Ferrets have very tough skin, so nipping each other during play does not cause them any harm. Humans, however, are a different story. Our skin is very soft compared to ferret skin, so a hard nip may feel like a bite. However, if your ferret is a baby or has not been socialized, you just need to teach the little rascal that nipping is painful and not acceptable. You always want to encourage gentle "mouthing" on your fingers and toes. This is the main way a ferret will interact with it's surroundings and play with you. However, if your ferret is causing you pain say "no" very loudly and clap your hands. Gently scruff your ferret the loose skin on the back of it's neck and drag your ferret across the floor very slowly and gently for a few feet. A ferret understands this as playing You are basically telling your ferret that you are the dominant ferret in the household. Often ferrets will scruff and drag each other during wrestling and playing. The dominant ferret will drag the weekest ferret across the floor by the scruff of the neck. Keep in mind that ferrets can be sore losers. Your ferret may jump and lunge at you after you scruff and drag it it's all in good fun This can be pretty funny. Time out can work as well. If your ferret nips you, say "no" and put your ferret in the cage for several minutes. He or she may begin to relate nipping with time out and "no" and will stop the behavior. if that dos fail then Bitter Apple, Bitter Lime or Fooey spray. These products taste terrible Spray a small amount on your fingers, toes or anything else your ferret likes to nip. Ingesting too much of any of these products can cause gastric upset for your ferret, so use it sparingly. After your ferret has tried to nip you and has been repelled by the horrible taste, wash your hands and give your ferret a "lickable" treat like Ferretone or Ferretvite from your fingers you want to teach your ferret that licking is good and nipping too hard is bad Finally, it is important to handle your ferret as much as possible, and give it lots of affection. A ferret who is neglected and left alone for long periods of time in a cage, may become a nipper or biter . Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
ferretfatcam   10 #4 Posted June 3, 2007 you make ferrets more complicated than they are well handled ferrets fromagood breeder dont bite i have judged ferrets on and off for 20 years and only been bitten once the more you handlr ferrets the tamer they are Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
terminator   10 #5 Posted June 3, 2007 nothing complicated there if there not well handled then you need to calm them down just to let them know how far they can go when playing.Not everyone handles them as they should and its then left to the new owners to learn them time out.They love human contact and love to have a play time.Im not saying they bite its just there way of playing just like a puppy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
holidayhutch   10 #6 Posted June 3, 2007 We've had ferrets boarding with us before and it has been more than evident on some occasions when we are handling them that the owners haven't been handling them and allowing them to play as they should, I'd even go as far as to say some of them have been kept totally caged. They are wonderful animals and it is great to see how they have blossomed and enjoyed their new freedom whilst they are with us and once the owners see the difference too both owners and ferrets are much happier. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
terminator   10 #7 Posted June 3, 2007 We've had ferrets boarding with us before and it has been more than evident on some occasions when we are handling them that the owners haven't been handling them and allowing them to play as they should, I'd even go as far as to say some of them have been kept totally caged. They are wonderful animals and it is great to see how they have blossomed and enjoyed their new freedom whilst they are with us and once the owners see the difference too both owners and ferrets are much happier.  Thats my point exatly many owners dont handle them and when they do its ok picking them up playing ball tug a war ect but they love to interact and actualy have a good old fight the ferret will interact and play with its owner and learn to bite in a gentle maner.And will learn to stop when told to do so I hate to say bite because there only playing and i have never in 32 years have a ferret draw blood.They are very underestimated and make fantastic house pets as well.Think more ppl should should become owners off these fantastic pets and help the rescue centres free some spaces up.Make great pals for ya dog as well if they can ruff it a bit and they are used to other animals.All our dogs in the past have loved them and couldnt wait for them to come out and play. http://s144.photobucket.com/albums/r180/terminator_020/?action=view¤t=mistyandpatch.jpg Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...