I hate to be a wet blanket here but you have a really inappropriate breed
to have ferrets with.  I am a certified dog nut.  I read books, go to dog
shows, basically just studying dog breeds for fun.  I try to keep an
informal running tally of fatal or near fatal dog/ferret interactions in
my head (FML, my vets, other people).  Sibes; perhaps because they are
the most popular and numerous of the Northern breeds, are at the top of
the list for ferret fatalities.  The northern breeds, Sibes, Malamutes,
Samoyed's etc.  have very high prey drive or hunt/kill instinct if you
will.  It has not been suborned into say, herding behavior.  They are
very independent.  (You rarely see a Siberian Husky winning obediance
competitions, or even agility, because they don't take direction that
well).  They are great dogs don't get me wrong, as long as you realize
they aren't something they're not.
 
Please be very very careful.  Personally I recommend a different breed.  If
you can't do that then for your ferrets sake - take Ruby to dog obediance
school.  I don't mean just an intro class either.  You need to commit to
this and really work with her daily for the next couple of years (she may
get big fast but she'll still be a puppy for a long time).  Get some help
from the obediance trainers at your local school (find one that uses
positive rewards, not negative punishment).  Maybe contact someone from a
Siberian Club or dog club.  If you bought this dog from a reputable breeder
who knows their breed - have them help you.  Although persoanlly I think it
was irresponsible of them to sell you a dog if they knew you had a ferret.
 
Meanwhile - till you have Rubies obediance - only short supervised visits
with a muzzle.  And watch those paws!  This may be possible but it will
most likely be more work that you thought.
 
Mary
[Posted in FML issue 3096]