Reet writes:
>The thing is, he's happy enough just running round, but doesn't eem to like
>being interfered with at all.  I think I am doing something wrong, but I'm
>not sure what.  I try playing with him and talking to him, and I am trying
>to be gentle and stuff (I read in a book your supposed to have a thumb and
>third finger under each foreleg and second finger under chin, but I just
>don't seem to be able to pick him up this way).
 
New kits need to be socialised and that takes time.  Your kit doesn't know
how hard he can bite yet.  When he bites you too hard, firmly tell him "NO,
that hurts" and immediately put him in the cage for a time out.  Usually
I'll scruff the ferret while putting him in the cage.  Scruffing is picking
up the ferret by the loose skin on the back of the neck.  Typically a ferret
will go completely limp when you do this.  Support your fert's bottom when
you do this so you don't put too much strain on his back.  It doesn't hurt
the animal, it just simulates what a mother ferret would do when
disciplining a mis-behaving kit.  When my first ferret was a kit, I'd put
him in the travel carrier with no toys--very boring for a ferret.  Ferrets
are bright, he'll learn pretty quickly that biting is not acceptable.  You
can also put something like bitter apple on your hands, when he bites he'll
bet a nasty taste in his mouth and will figure human hands aren't worth
chewing on.  Have treats on hand, so when he does something nice (like
giving you kisses) you can reward him.  I use a drop of ferretone, or a
raisin that I've cut in quarters, sometimes a tiny piece of corn chip, or
some kind of pre-packaged ferret treat.
 
Remember that ferrets use their mouth like we use hands, so it is nearly
impossible to keep him from nipping entirely, but you should be able to
adjust his biting so he isn't hurting you anymore.
 
What kinds of games are you trying to play with him?  My critters like to
play hide and seek, they like to wrestle with each other and with me.  They
like to play tug of war with red beads.  They like to chase and be chased.
The LOVE playing in any kind of bag--paper, plastic, canvas.  One of them
likes digging in a sandbox I made for them.  Both of the love it when I get
right down on the floor with them.  Keep trying different games and
eventually you'll figure out what kind of play your little one enjoys.
 
When you pick him up, support his back.  One of mine prefers being held
like a baby on his back, crooked in my arms the other likes being the right
way up, supported along my fore arm.  In terms of fingers under forelegs
and under chins, are you supporting he behind as well?
 
It'll take some getting used to, ferrets are different from cats and dogs,
but once you get to know your new friend and he gets to know you things
will work out.  Be patient.
 
Cheers!
Matthew.
 
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The Arts in Technology--Creative Consulting and Contracting
 
J. Matthew Saunders (540)951-3090
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"We have to work in the theatre of our own time,
with the tools of our own time" --Robert Edmond Jones
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[Posted in FML issue 2385]