Victoria,
First, allow me to introduce myself.  I am Dave, Chief cook and bottle
washer at Cherokee Ferret Rescue and Shelter in Omaha Nebraska.  (fitting
isn't it?) <G>
 
My specialty has been and will remain, the rehab of ferrets, especially
those that have acquired bad habits from neglect or abuse.  Let's take a
quick look at your situation.  Poor Dancer has been through several traumas
prior to coming to you, and God knows she is only trying to protect
herself.  As you watched the progression of her aggression over a period of
time, So will be her rehabilitation.  She faced who only knows what at the
hands of the different litters that came and went in her life.  How much
abuse did she suffer at the hands of customers who don't consider animals
on any plane near that of humans?  And lastly, who can say as to what she
endured as a nipper in that cage at the hands of employees.  Lets attack
the problem....
 
As an albino, are you certain she isn't hearing impaired?  (as is my
Ariel)  Remember the greatest gift you can bestow upon her is love with a
tremendous amount of patience.  Almost all 'Group' animals and even birds
will establish a 'pecking order'.You need to gently and lovingly assert
that you and all humans are the ALPHA ferrets, albeit hairless ones, in her
life.  As you ready to handle her, Let her see by example, that you will
handle and love the other ferrets in her vicinity.  Don't always make her
wait till last, but show her.  Then if she bites, and I am sure she will,
scruff her, give a loud and ominous but not angry NO!  and (here is the
tricky part) place her head in your open mouth.  If she can hear, hiss at
the same time.  Hold that position for about 3-5 seconds and try again.
Remember PATIENCE!  With a little luck and a lot of love, she will learn
that you are the loving caring provider and are the Alpha of the business.
The bites will become much less severe as well as infrequent.  My own
experience has shown me to expect anywhere from a week to a year to
properly assert my stature as the alpha, and gain the love and trust from
the poor small scared creature.  Honestly, The worst biters I have had were
rescues from some bad situations.  Thumping a ferret is detrimental to any
type of training and I will argue to the death anyone who maintains that it
helps.  It is painful, and can lead to serious damage in the poor ferret,
which will only aggravate an already sad situation.  Depriving them of
hammocks, toys, etc does the same thing.  A feeling of insecurity and
helplessness.  No wonder the poor dear is fighting and biting.
 
Please, feel free to contact me and I will help you in any way I can.
You might suggest to the shop that there are better alternatives to
treatment in the future, and hopefully, the litters yet to come into that
establishment will be watched, loved and handled differently.  Remember,
Dancer is only reacting to what she has faced in life in the only way she
knows how, and it is obvious she has been abused.
 
Dave Berlowitz
Cherokee Ferret Rescue and Shelter
513 South 35th Street
Omaha, NE. 68105-1312
402-933-5462 voice
402-933-5109 fax.
[log in to unmask]
 
PS.  I am posting this so that others may be helped in biting problems and
so that all can read the response to a question.  I know that this will
probably offend some people, but please no flames.  It is painless, not
traumatic, and very humane, and it gets the job done.  I would never ever
condone thumping anywhere!  Also could you all please send a prayer for my
Toby who just came down very ill with a viral respiratory infection?
Thank you all.
[Posted in FML issue 2648]