Breaking to ferrets

[Tonkin 0]

My first terrier is 9months and i still havnt been able to break him to ferrets as i dont have any of my own. but i recently ran into a friend and he is now keeping ferrets, as you can imagine i'm a bit nervous as they arent my ferrets. can anyone give me some tips on breaking him to them. Any advice would be grately valued. thankyou.

Edited January 13, 2008 by Tonkin

[johnv 0]

My first terrier is 9months and i still havnt been able to break him to ferrets as i dont have any of my own. but i recently ran into a friend and he is now keeping ferrets, as you can imagine i'm a bit nervous as they arent my ferrets. can anyone give me some tips on breaking him to them. Any advice would be grately valued. thankyou.

Let him get used to sight and smell of the ferrets, exercise and tire him out before hand to make him easier to handle. Push him away each time he shows to much interest. When he stops taking to much interest inthem in the hutch,start handling them in front of him and do the same. When he realizes that their not prey he will settle.

[BenBhoy 4,706]

yeah, couple of problems there mate, i see what you mean about worrying extra cos they aren't your ferrets. and since your dog is 9month now. i usually do it the most simple of ways but im not sure it'll work now with dog your age but if you keep eye on them whole time it might be worth a go, but i usually do it with pup young as possible, around 8 weeks, just let one pup at a time into pen with ferrets, prefferably a big hob who isn't afraid of anything, as after a couple of nips for getting too close the will frighten pup and it will soon get the messge and have more respect for the ferrets. really not sure it'll work with dog at 9months but it's all i can think of pal. good luck.

[Tonkin 0]

thanks for the tips guys. my mate brought a ferret round on sunday, we put the carry box in the middle of the room and the dog went mad at start but did calm, we then handled the ferret and he got very keen and not curious keen but prey keen but i understand its gonna take time and not going to rush things. just going to expose him to the scent and sight a bit more. My mates mate has got a large hutch with quite a few ferrets and has said i can take the dog to his place which should help. cheers.