Diana,
 
You asked about how and when ferrets could be "tamed" fall asleep on a lap
or remain calm in your arms.
 
As you know ferrets are hyperactive.  The become "teens" at about 6 months
and try to unlearn everything you've taught them.  But there is hope.  We
taught our ferrets to go calm and quiet when picked up by doing the
following:
 
1.  Remember, pick up time is not play time.  Resist the urge to rough them
up or otherwise give them the impression that you are playing with them when
you pick them up.  If you want to play, set them on the couch or floor.
When they're in your arms it is quiet time.
 
2.  Never set them down until YOU are ready for them to get down.  No matter
how much they wriggle and squirm, keep holding them, especially if they nip
you.  Continue to hold them until they give up (shown by a BIG sigh) and lay
their calm and quiet.
 
3. After the sigh and the calm and quiet, offer a little ferretone in your
hand and tell them how good they are. Then set them down.
 
You have to be very consistent with the training.  Don't hold them through
the squirming one time and set them down the next.  They are fast learners
if you give them the proper clues as to what you expect.
 
Dick B.
[Posted in FML issue 1556]