Hi gang,
 
The two monster-kids (aka Jaws I and Jaws II) are improving slightly.  I
think it'll just take time for them to realize I won't hurt them, they still
expect to be slapped when I reach into the playpen where they are.  I can
pick them up and hold them, but I have to be *very* careful!  They'll attack
my hands when I am picking them up, if they are out on the floor they just
sniff my hands usually, the bigger one sometimes bites even then.  They are
very uncomfortable when I reach for them, or hold them.  So it convinces me
they were thumped or slapped everytime they were handled.  I've been very
careful, so that gash on my foot is the worst bite yet (I wasn't prepared
for that one).
 
I don't use thumps or slaps with any ferrets!!  Usually, I *hug* biting
ferrets instead to let them know I won't hurt them no matter what they do.
Occasionally, if one comes in here who simply has never been trained not to
bite, I might touch the nose with my finger as I say "no" loudly, but I
never do this with a ferret who has been abused or mishandled at all.  I
have found that the one thing that works most often with all cases, is LOVE!
That's really all they need, just love and a little understanding.  In every
case the ferret has a reason for his/her behavior, we just have to figure
out what it is, and convince them otherwise in a gentle loving manner.
 
I put Jake, my biggest boy, with them this morning.  They just sniffed each
other, so I walked away to start ferret laundry, all the while "listening"
for scuffling or squealing sounds, I got distracted by what I was doing then
suddenly remembered I had put Jake in the playpen (they'd been together
about 10 minutes and I hadn't heard a sound) so I checked on them.  The
three of them were curled up together with big Jake sandwiched in the
middle.  You'd have thought they were old friends.  So at least these guys
like other ferrets.  I can't say I blame them for not liking humans right
now either, but over time I think I can change their minds :> I just hope my
hands survive.
 
Thanks to all who have sent suggestions and ideas on working with these
boys.  Some I have already tried, others are new to me but I may give them a
try also.  I am certainly open to other ideas, I have never claimed to be a
ferret-expert and anyone who does may be in big trouble, it seems every
single ferret is different and so the 'rules' change with each one.  I think
"instincts" play a bigger role with helping these problem children than
anything.
 
Kisses to the fuzzies,
Trish
[Posted in FML issue 1889]