I was going to write a post on nip training biting ferrets, but Trish did
such an outstanding job, I have nothing left to say on the subject, so I'll
just repeat some of the things Trish mentioned for empahsis.
 
You really do have to figure out why the ferret is biting, and act
accordingly.  I've seen the same types Trish described (untrained or fear
biters or bite in fun biters).
 
About the worst thing you can do with a fear biter is physically punish
them.  Love and trust do wonders.  We're working with two of those right
now.  One is turning into a love bug.  The other, .  .  .  .  well, it's
going to take a little more time, but that's something I'm more than willing
to give.
 
Untrained ferrets also respond to love much faster than a nose thump, which
might turn some of them into fear biters.  We had one we rescued from a pet
store that was a little bit of both.  She bit me some 6 times in the short
drive to our rented cabin (we were on vacation at the time).  I had blood
dripping all over the car.  Inside a month she was the sweetest ferret you
could ask for.  She just had to learn that biting hurt us, but that we were
not going to hurt her.
 
I also have several play biters, who I just laugh and enjoy their antics.
No blood.  Just startlement.  One loves to climb my pant leg and pull my leg
hair for attention.  It works <G>.
 
Dick B.
[Posted in FML issue 1753]