Ferrets Have Turned

[ruggers13 268]

spit on your hand let them lick it off they will know its you n not bite mine hasnt ever bite me just nips playing

[stealthy1 3,964]

My ferrets are well handled, and don't bite, but I think that would change if I left my hand on a rabbit I'd just put in the cage to feed them Six months is still very young, they still have that playfull puppy nibble every time you grab them, keep handling them and they will get bored chomping you

[patterdale 673]

You said.... Can they eat trout as i have easy acsess to them.

Maybe they could smell fish on your hands?

[ZeusPolecat 185]

Some are just

Had a jill that took a year to fully quieten down. Her hob litter mate has never bit me in an aggressive way.

You need to feel and act like the dominant one, any pussy footing around and they will try to take advantage. They can just sense it, blood pressure, a scent, I don't know. Pick them up with confidence and If they play up use you voice as you would a dog, 'OI' or 'NO', stern.

Even my three year olds who are soft as with me will try it on with strangers to see what they are made of. Some people can't handle it and will only show more fear in the future and then be trampled on by the wee stinks.

With my problem jill I resorted to the 'time out' technique - When letting them out for a romp and handling, if she nipped me in an aggressive manner I'd put her in a cat carrier for a few minutes, with a 'NO', a jail cell if you like. Then try to handle her again after taking her out, before letting her play again... If she nipped again she would go straight back in. Takes some persistence but they are smart enough to put two and two together. This only really works If you have a run or play space they don't have full time access to, It needs to be a treat area.

But they do quieten down with age. Some take longer than others. Just be the boss and persevere.

[BGD 6,436]

With my problem jill I resorted to the 'time out' technique - When letting them out for a romp and handling, if she nipped me in an aggressive manner I'd put her in a cat carrier for a few minutes, with a 'NO', a jail cell if you like. Then try to handle her again after taking her out, before letting her play again... If she nipped again she would go straight back in. Takes some persistence but they are smart enough to put two and two together. This only really works If you have a run or play space they don't have full time access to, It needs to be a treat area.

 

But they do quieten down with age. Some take longer than others. Just be the boss and persevere.

 

That's how I've broken all my stinkers, straight back into the hutch or carrybox if they start getting arsey. They're smart wee things and pick it up fast that bad behaviour means no fun time

[ZeusPolecat 185]

I am confident with my two hobs now that they are only play nipping. They dont draw blood

If It's play nipping I usually say 'gentle' if they are going at it a bit rough. Surprisingly my softest jill play nips the hardest but that's only when I start it by roughing her up haha and there seems to be no fixing it other than not picking a fight as punishing her would just be wrong. The problem jill I talked about before turned out to be the softest player with my hands, I guess the time out technique made an impact. With mine, during play, holding my hand still If I feel its too much causes them to let go... Don't know If this will work for other ferrets or If its just the way mine have gotten to know me. But If they mean business, you will know about it.

Edited August 30, 2015 by ZeusPolecat