Here's Snowy

[Canberra Stu 0]

I finally got my ferrets a rescued pair... I currently have the Hob (Snowy) a 1 year old albino, who was desexed on friday and I got him back from the society on Sunday, I reckon he's currently suffering a bit of separation anxiety, because when I get him out of his cage for some play he frantically runs around looking for his Jill. (I think)

 

The Jill (Snowys mate) is a pregnant sable renamed penny, and because I am a newbie at ferret keeping a member of the society is keeping a hold of her until she's done with the kits, I'll be involved but I'll leave all the drama to the more experienced

 

I'm having all the usual trials with a new ferret he's very keen to bite me... He ambushes me and his other trick is to gently come over like he wants some attention nuzzle in and whammo usually right on the triceps. Scruffing him just seems to aggravate the situation as dose nose flicking. Although I must say Snowy's bites aren't as bad as I was expecting (which is good) but he is more determined than I thought. Oh and one other Eucalyptus oil on my hand deters him a bit until he gets really worked up and then he doesn't care.

 

So my question is this... How long should I keep scruffing him, until he takes off in defeat or what??? Or should I only let him out of his cage for a short amount of time so not to let him get worked up...

[Guest on the hill]

hes just a ferret lol your reading too much into it, just handle him as much as you can the more the better!

if you have a ferret proof room sit in there with him (or sort one out) and watch the tele for a while and handle him often

[The one 8,463]

Just give him a good feed before you handle him and keep at it mate

[Guest on the hill]

Just give him a good feed before you handle him and keep at it mate

 

 

is allways helpfull

[The one 8,463]

tabasco sauce in a syringe (without the needle dur! )

and just spray his mouth when he bites while hes hanging on

or mustard on ye finger works well if you can get it in while hes on you

 

 

What you doing wullie marinading it ??????

[Canberra Stu 0]

Hmmm... some interesting ideas... but the real part of my question was this disciplining him aggravates him to go harder at me our last battle was well over 20 min until I got so over it I just put him back in his hutch. I have no problem disciplining him or getting dominance... I just want to know at what point in the process it stops being a discipline thing and becomes abuse. Coz there is no quit in him (I can't wait to see him on a burrow!!)

[Guest on the hill]

he needs to relax arround you a bit is the problem i recon! as i said put him down and sit back, chill out and let the ferret get settled and handle him then let him run off again ect ect its just getting it into his head your a friend and no threat but your not to be messed with!!

it will help a bit when hes got his mate arround ovcorse

 

sounds like hes not bin handled properly...just dont hesitate when you go to get him that can triger a bite also watch how your holding him, someone picked up my hob once and he had a tight grip on it needless to say it was trying its best to attatch itself to his finger lol

Edited September 22, 2008 by on the hill

[Malt 379]

..................................

[droid 11]

He ain't going to relax if you spray Tabasco in his gob. That has to be the daftest idea I have heard yet

 

Just keep handling the little bugger. He'll come round. One of mine likes triceps too. Solution? Don't let him near them

[stubby 175]

whats all this dominance stuff anyway, or disapline, its a ferret, not a dog, handle lots, carried about, if he bites, and I mean bites, not play mouthing, then a simple squeeze at the joint of mouth will get him off, put him down, whacking him, sticking hot fluids in him, aint going to solve your problems

[Ron Weasley 83]

Also, it sounds like he's just jumping around like crazy getting some exercise. Maybe let him out for longer, give him a chance to have a run around and release some energy!!

[wasp 0]

I take it your going to work him? if so i'd only handle him in small amounts and defo don't spray him with tobasco you don't want to put him off biting rabbits! give him time to settle in to his new surroundings

[droid 11]

whats all this dominance stuff anyway, or disapline, its a ferret, not a dog, handle lots, carried about, if he bites, and I mean bites, not play mouthing, then a simple squeeze at the joint of mouth will get him off, put him down, whacking him, sticking hot fluids in him, aint going to solve your problems

 

Couldn't agree more.

 

To get the bugger off just squeeze gently where the carnassials (cheek teeth) are.

 

Most of mine will draw blood if they get over-excited and play mouth a bit too hard. They're just treating me like a big ferret. I got plenty of blood, can afford to lose a bit

Edited September 22, 2008 by droid

[lorelei0922 2]

I take it your going to work him? if so i'd only handle him in small amounts and defo don't spray him with tobasco you don't want to put him off biting rabbits! give him time to settle in to his new surroundings

 

 

Mine are handled several hours each day.. and spoiled rotten...

 

They also work like lil devils !!! CERTAINLY hasn't put them off biting rabbits lol

 

but i agree.. tabasco would be useless.. and abusive!!!

[Guest on the hill]

yeah handleing aint gonna put it off rabbits lol as for the tobasco if the ferrets game im game lol