Inbreeding means breeding with any close relative; why terms get used
differently with separate groups is probably akin to island evolution; take
isolated group A and introduce one thing that gets established and isolated
group B and introduce another that does!  (Sorry could not resist.)
 
"Agressive" ferret:  that's not aggressive; it's confused and frightened!
Ferrets aim with their noses.  You meanwhile were offering a cherished food
item which was smearing scent all over your fingers, and the ferret missed.
Then he paniced, plus the actions taken hurt so they paniced him more.  As
soon as you tried instead to soothe him back to his norm he let go and
things went back the way they should be.  Hey, humans are also awkward at
times; how often have you grabbed for one thing but instead touched or
knocked down another?  How often have visual clues mislead you like the
scent clue misled him?  Next time give a food like that in a spoon or dish;
if an accident happens at some point where the ferret panics try a soft
voice right away if you can.  (Some individuals are more awkward just like
in humans so take that into account in your own behaviors to reduce the
chance of it happening again.)
 
Training:  hitting, flicking, other hurting things not only are not needed;
sometimes they backfire, occasionally they backfire big time.  Anyone who
missed Melissa's letter yesterday should go back and read it!  Good work,
Mel!!
 
Know what I liked about Bryan's and Helen's posts?  They are factual,
intelligent, researched, and they present facts and considerations which
let others weigh the situations and then make their choices.  THEY TREAT
US WITH RESPECT AS INTELLIGENT PEOPLE!  Posts like that are GIFTS!
[Posted in FML issue 2618]