Malt 379 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 I find that the more they come into contact with you, the more they learn not to bite you hard. It might sound mad, but I actively encourage mine to take my fingers in their mouths. If you let them know when they are biting too hard by giving a yelp, or hissing at them, they soon get the message. I done this with my hob, Coco and he was brilliant. He would gently take my finger in his mouth & play tug of war with me, with out hurting me in the slightest. I made the mistake of not doing this enough with my jill poppy, and I had a hell of a time getting her to stop biting me. It ended up with myself & the ferret being scared of each other, & this made the problem worse. It's taken the best part of 6 months to get her to the stage she's at now, I can very nearly completely trust her now, but I'm still a little bit apprehensive. It all could have been sorted out earlier with more handling at an earlier age. Quote Link to post
droid 11 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 try fresh lemon juice on your hand, if the kit bites squeeze a bit of the juice in their mouth, they spit your finger out pretty quickly when you do this and they will stop biting i'd be feeding em up first but i tried that but they seemed to like the juice and when they had cut my hand the juice got in and it hurt even more Awkward little sods! Quote Link to post
droid 11 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 I find that the more they come into contact with you, the more they learn not to bite you hard. It might sound mad, but I actively encourage mine to take my fingers in their mouths. If you let them know when they are biting too hard by giving a yelp, or hissing at them, they soon get the message. I done this with my hob, Coco and he was brilliant. He would gently take my finger in his mouth & play tug of war with me, with out hurting me in the slightest. I made the mistake of not doing this enough with my jill poppy, and I had a hell of a time getting her to stop biting me. It ended up with myself & the ferret being scared of each other, & this made the problem worse. It's taken the best part of 6 months to get her to the stage she's at now, I can very nearly completely trust her now, but I'm still a little bit apprehensive. It all could have been sorted out earlier with more handling at an earlier age. Good tactic I have found that squawking LOUDLY in their ear works, too. As long as they're not biting in fear/pain, they seem to get the message pretty quickly, at least as adults. I've never had to nose flick. Like 'bread and milk' that's best left in the Dark Ages. Quote Link to post
Dan_Jones 7 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Thanks every 1 they have calmed down alot now im begining to wonder if they were just a little scared of there new home and new owner .. still bite alot but arnt doing it as much now ... Quote Link to post
sam3009 4 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Just got my new kits today and havnt stopped biteing me yet lol . I know this will die off eventually but i was just wondering is there any little tips and tricks use could show/ tell me about to quicken that up? cos av the moment they gettin the handling with gloves treatment because my hands look like ive just washed them in glass . ... btw they are 1 polecat jill and 1 albino jill both off same litter.8weeks. Ill get some pics on later tonight or tomorow Lose the gloves mate. thats the worst thing you can do! Quote Link to post
mart123blue 0 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 When the bite, gently pushing your finger back into their mouth while you hold them will work. You will feel them start to struggle when they realise it isn't fun anymore. No need to hurt them If you do it now while they are only little they can't do much damage, once or twice of this will sort it out. Quote Link to post
Dan_Jones 7 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 here a couple of pics as promised lol Quote Link to post
Dan_Jones 7 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 the polecat ... Quote Link to post
Dan_Jones 7 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 the albino .. who wudnt be still so put her down and took 1 lol Quote Link to post
Kay 3,709 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 Thanks every 1 they have calmed down alot now im begining to wonder if they were just a little scared of there new home and new owner .. still bite alot but arnt doing it as much now ... Yes sometimes it take a good few days even weeks for them to get used to there new surroundings , i am sure they will settle & give you many good years as workers Quote Link to post
Guest on the hill Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 the more handleing the beter try rubbing your hands on the ferret to get the ferret scent on you when your handleing them! i had the same problem but it was quickly fixed Quote Link to post
sam3009 4 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 the polecat ...he's not a poley mate he's a sandy Quote Link to post
will.f11 24 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 the polecat ...he's not a poley mate he's a sandy very true Quote Link to post
Dan_Jones 7 Posted July 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 i new that ... lol :oops: Quote Link to post
sam3009 4 Posted July 31, 2008 Report Share Posted July 31, 2008 i new that ... lol :oops: hope you get it sorted out mate cause that hobs gonna be BIG! Quote Link to post
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