Jeanine,
 
Sounds like you have a couple of problems going on there.  The first and
most obvious one is that you obviously never learned to fully speak
Ferretese.  That can be remedied if you take the time to do so.
 
Since ferrets cannot speak (at least, they never do it in front of us
humans), they rely on dooking, body language, and yes -- even biting.
Like most ferret people, you already know the weasel war dance is roughly
translated to "I'm so happy that I can't hold it in anymore!" Now, you need
to learn the subtleties of the language of biting.  Here are some basics:
 
Nip and run generally means "Tag!  You're it.  Come chase me and lets play."
Nip and hold -- this is usually an attention getter.  It generally means,
"Hey!  Pay attention to me." Grab and tug -- this usually is an invitation
to play Ferret Tug-o-War.
 
You are also learning that the nose tapping routine -- especially when they
are young -- really doesn't remedy anything.  Many young ferrets just think
the nose tap is a strange human game that they are only too willing to
learn.  You'll often see people tapping the kits very gently and the kit
playfully trying to follow the finger for another nip.
 
For bite training -- and really, for any training -- I have always preferred
rewards over punishments.  Kits and biters are cradled on their backs in
the crook of one arm and given the smallest drop of Ferretone or Ferrevite.
Then they are stroked and talked to in a soothing manner.  At all times, the
treat remains in view of the ferret.  A gentle lick brings happy praise and
another reward.  A nip or bite, brings a strong (but not shouted) "No bite!"
and the withdrawal of the treat.  The process is repeated several times
every time you hold the ferret.  Kits learn quickly, but often backslide a
little through youthful excitement.  Fear biters can take much longer.  I
worked with one for over a year before I could stop laying in large supplies
of adhesive bandages.
 
The real trick to the nip and run ankle nips are to ignore the invitations
to play when the nip is painful and tell the ferret "No bite!", and reward
him with play and a treat when the nip is acceptable to you.  Remember, a
single drop of Ferretone is enough to send most ferrets into raptures of
delight, and they love nothing better than their humans playing with them --
so both are wonderful rewards.
 
Good Luck.
 
Scott and the Mustilid Mob
[Posted in FML issue 2355]