"Jacqueline and Stanley" wrote in FML 827
:
>I am very inspired by everybody who is walking their ferrets on
>leashes.  But how do you train them to do that.  Our experience
>has been dissapointing.  As soon as we get outside
>Stanley just hugs the ground and looks around.  Then as soon as
>he gets his bearings he heads straight for home.
 
>It would be so nice to go to the park and walk around.
 
Ferrets differ a lot among themselves in how they relate to Outside, though I
have generally found whole males the most venturesome. Some tend to be
explorers, others tend to just take out and run till in a more or less
straight line till they exhaust themselves, and still others are more
interested in playing with you or just bouncing and boinking than looking
around.
 
If Stanley is reluctant, here are some things you might try:
 
Start close to home--a porch, say--and for the first few times, when he wants
to go back home, just let him.  That might make him feel more secure knowing
he can get back in whenever he wants.  As an alternative, you might open a
window and let him just dope out the smells through the screen, from the
safety of Inside, until he begins to be attracted by the nifty odors out
there.
 
Put something familiar or desirable near the spot you first set him down--a
toy, perhaps, a not freshly washed t-shirt, a blanket that has good smells in
it, or even a treat.
 
Set him down near something intrinsically excellent, like a pile of leaves or
new-mown grass, an empty grocery bag, an empty 12-pack of beer (trash is even
more exciting to ferrets, but some people get squeamish about it).
 
If he likes to play tickle or something else interactive, try that in the
outdoor setting.
 
If he has a cagemate, bring the two of them out together so they'll have each
other for company (better get a human outfielder to help keep them
corralled).
 
I have a little jill who gets bored with Outside after a couple of minutes. I
have two hobs, Bois de Gille and Faffnir, for whom The Walk has become a
daily ritual almost as important as life itself.  Bois de Gille actually
waits on top of the butcher block table looking out the back door for me to
come home from work every evening and physically attaches himself to my legs
until I take him out for The Walk.
 
As for technique, well, I try to be as nondirective as possible, basically
giving him his head and following behind except where he is about to go
someplace taboo.  I use one of the ferret harnesses that has two ties, one
about the neck and the other about the chest, so I can physically lift him up
quickly if circumstances dictate.
 
A couple of cautions, though: In summertime, ferrets can easily overheat,
especially in the sun and if they are runners.  If they start panting, or you
can feel their footpads getting hot, it's time to come in, and make sure they
get some water afterward, possibly even douse them gently with cold water.
 To some extent, scheduling walks later in the evening can obviate this
problem.  Based on experience, I'd say about 15-20 minutes is tops if they're
very active.
 
Also, make TRIPLE SURE that your leash is securely fastened.  If your ferret
goes through underbrush, he may inadvertently (or even vertently, like mine)
snag part of the leash and keep pulling until he is free.
 
If you are near roads, make sure you always know how much "slack" is in the
leash, since they are as apt to run toward as away from a car.
 
Finally, remember that if your ferret develops a passion for nature, he will
make increasingly resourceful efforts to go Outside on his own, so you will
have to be more careful of escapes.
 
Incidentally, walking a ferret in the park is a truly fine way to meet
people, and if your ferret likes attention from friendly strangers, he's sure
to get plenty.  But if your ferret is nippy, be careful who you let hold him.
 
--Howard Davis
 
[Posted in FML issue 0830]