Ferret training & body language

[Silvermoon77]

Hi everyone,

I've had my male ferret for over four months (he is approaching 7 months). He now knows that he cannot bite me playfully, but over the past few days, he seems to have developed the habit of biting me whenever I prevent him from doing what he wants whilst roaming around (such as biting plugs or jumping on the laptop). I apply the same technique as from the beginning, ie place him back in his cage for at least 20 minutes, with a firm "no" or "bad boy", but I am starting to despair that he will not bite me anymore...

Something funny I have noticed is that his tail gets suddenly bushy, when he plays with me, or when we go out for a walk - is that a sign of happiness, or could he be that he is cold when outside?

Thanks!

Aude

[LoveForLizards]

Putting him in his cage for time-out is useless, and 20 minutes is too long IMO, they forget what they are being "punished" for after a few minutes. I prefer a quick "NO!" an either blow in their face or push in some cases push down on the front of their tongue, but he is at the age where he is going to push the limits!

The "bottle brush" tail is a sign of being startled, over-excited or stressed. When you take him out ALWAYS introduce him slowly to the cold, never take him straight outside from a warm house.

[Marcia]

I bought 2 jills about 2 weeks ago and i'm nip training them. I use the same method that i used with my boys and it seems to be working

I scruff them and either say 'NO!' or i bow in their face with a 'NO!' and sometimes i drag them by their scruff along the carpet for about 2 seconds.

I was also told that spitting on your arm or hand and letting the ferret lick it off is a good way too

[Silvermoon77]

I didn't know about the blow in the face!

I find his 'bottle-brush tail' mega-cute when I play with him, and thanks too for the walk tips.

Something I found 'funny' about a week ago was that a cat came to us whilst we were out. Lestat is used to having cats around (we have three at home, two of those he terrorises, and the third with whom he plays), and this cat was curious and not in any way hostile. He reacted strongly to the cat being near, though, and retreated between my legs whilst making a hissing sound. I picked him up and went away as he seemed distressed.

He has taken to hoarding food, which he didn't do three weeks ago, and he also licks my face when I take him out of his cage in the evenings. He really is adorable .

[Marcia]

Originally Posted by Silvermoon77

I didn't know about the blow in the face!

I find his 'bottle-brush tail' mega-cute when I play with him, and thanks too for the walk tips.

Something I found 'funny' about a week ago was that a cat came to us whilst we were out. Lestat is used to having cats around (we have three at home, two of those he terrorises, and the third with whom he plays), and this cat was curious and not in any way hostile. He reacted strongly to the cat being near, though, and retreated between my legs whilst making a hissing sound. I picked him up and went away as he seemed distressed.

He has taken to hoarding food, which he didn't do three weeks ago, and he also licks my face when I take him out of his cage in the evenings. He really is adorable .

I like the name Lestat. I'm guessing that you like Queen of the Damned?

[jordkil]

I've got ten ferrets at the moment and one is a young hob who is absolutely massive and is at the test the limits stage. It's easy enough to stop I just move them from whatever they're doing (i.e raking in the bins or food bags.) and scruff him and give a quick shake (not roughly) he's starting to learn. The whole cold thing is new to me though I've always kept ferrets outside in the shed and they are used to the cold and they play outside in the garden (and work the local warrens).
Good luck with Lestat he sounds quite the character! Is he nuetered? or are you planning on it? I got one of my older hobs chopped earlier this year and he calmed right down and now lives with other ferrets as well (he couldnt before was too aggro towards them)

ATB
Jordan

[Silvermoon77]

Re the neutering, it is actually a question I wanted to ask. I was thinking of getting "the snip" done, but if I didn't, would it be harmful for him in the long run (as it is for the females, apparently). A friend told me he would calm down after the op' but I do love his personality, I would be a bit sad if he became a couch potato instead of the little devil he is now .

Thanks for the compliment on his name . I'm a goth/metal chick, so a vampire name seemed appropriate.

[LoveForLizards]

It's much nicer for the both of you if you get him neutered, and he is currently at prime age to be neutered.
It's a myth they go fat/lazy after neutering, ferrets never do that
Have to say I've never seen or heard of ferrets getting Adrenal Disease directly from neutering, only from neutering too early! Besides, if you get him neutered he can have a friend.

[*burnleygirl*]

my ferrets have put on weight and have seemed to have calmed down alot more after being castrated!

[LoveForLizards]

Originally Posted by *burnleygirl*

my ferrets have put on weight and have seemed to have calmed down alot more after being castrated!

ARGH! Keep losing my posts!!

Neutering hobs or jills wont make the slight bit of difference. How long ago did you get them neutered? A good diet is vital in energy levels and weight management also. Neutering females is a routine thing, if it made them fat and lazy not many people, and certainly not workers, would get them neutered.