> -,{@ It's me again, Jodi, she-who-is-clueless.  The most pressing problem
>  -,{@ I've been  having with Leopold is that he BITES.  Hard.  Half the
>  -,{@ people I talk to say,  "Get used to it, they bite."  It seems that
>  -,{@ Is this typical???  Can I train him out of this?  Or is he just a
>  -,{@ little  meanie?  By the way, even when he's running around biting, I
>  -,{@ speak to him  kindly; I don't want to be harsh with him and make him
>  -,{@ think that I deserve to  be bitten.
>
> WHAO! NO! Even though he is only 9 weeks..! BTW, He sure will grow out of
> some of the playfulness, but the biting has to stop! It's part of the reason
> Ferrets have such bad reputations. But just as you'd do with a kitten, you
> have to show him that he is NOT to do that and that you will NOT put up with
> it under any circumstances whatever! People have told me things to try. One
 
I'm with Daisy Lyn -- and I'd like to add that whoever told Jodi to "get
used to it, they bite," is the person or persons who need a clue!  Ferrets
are NOT inherently mean or vicious.  What you need to remember is that
ferrets have very tough skin and play with each other very roughly.  A
bite to them is a love nip, and doesn't hurt them.  They do NOT know that
people have tender skin and must be TAUGHT that biting people is not OK.
Ferret biting is nearly always an invitation to play, and a swipe at a
ferret who bites you is read as an indication that you've accepted the
invitation.  Let them know you are displeased.  Flick them on the nose
with a thumb and forefinger, spank them on their little behinds, bite
them back, scruff them and yell "NO!"  Ferrets do NOT like being yelled
at.  Spray Bitter Apple on your toes and shoes so they will learn not to
bite feet ("yuck! Tastes BAD!")  They will learn, but you must be
consistent.  Be disapproving when they behave badly.  Talk to them in a
pleasing, soothing tone when they are good.  Ferrets are very smart little
critters, and are very trainable if you are patient and consistent.  If
you are speaking to Leopold in a kindly tone when he is bad, he won't
understand the mixed signal.  The little fella will only be confused.
Honest, trust me -- yell at him, or at least talk to him in a loud,
disapproving tone when you are disciplining him.
 
The other question -- is he neutered? -- is also important.  Neutering
will give you a calmer ferret.  Also, age is a major factor.  Younger
ferrets are very rambunctious and excitable.  They will calm down when
they get older.  I know it's tough, but hang in there.  Consistency is the
key.  It works -- I have five ferrets, and they are all gentle with
people, and are not biters.
 
Good luck!
 
Katie, Jeff, Bandit, Molly, Charlie, Pogo & Sigmund
--------------------------------------------------
Katie Fritz
Small Mammals Section Leader/CompuServe Pets Forum
Internet: [log in to unmask]  CIS: 71257,3153
 
[Posted in FML issue 0603]