I know this may draw many to strike out against me personally, but I think
what I hear Amy saying is that she is not using proper discipline on her
ferrets.
 
Like a lot of other intelligent animals, ferrets can be trained.  Any
behavioral psychologist will tell you that a system of rewards and
_punishments_ are necessary to successfully establish good behaviours and
eliminate bad ones.  I have found that with my ferret, a good shouting
of "NO!" if I caught him in the act of something, and then picking him
up and giving him a good sharp swat on the hind quarters was enough encentive
for him to only need 2 or 3 lessons at the most to keep him from doing
something that I hate to see him do, like opening doors he shouldn't be
in, or using plants for litter boxes, etc.
 
 
Now, 3 1/2 years after I got him he's a true joy to have as a pet.  He
only tries to open doors that he knows he is allowed to mess with, he
always uses his litterbox, and he's declared by all my friends as being
the most affectionate, playful pet of any they have ever seen, including
cats and dogs.
 
I know a lot of you may not take kindly to my hitting such a small animal,
but I do know my own strength, and I haven't had to offer any punishment
beyond a firm "no" in 2 years...  I think it was worth the time and
energy spent to have a well trained ferret.
 
*******
 
Another tip for getting them to use litterboxes is to buy some Outright
Oder Killer, and a bottle of Lysol spray.  If you catch any waste in the
wrong place deoderize that area as best you can, and that tends to keep
the ferret from thinking of that place as a potty.  Tossing all found
waste in the litterbox, and physically setting the ferret in the box
everytime you get him out to play, replacing him in the box over and
over, not letting him to leave until he's at least attemped to go potty
was a very successful thing that I did.  Now, whenever my ferret wakes
up and I'm around and he wants out, he hops straight into his box, goes,
and then looks out at me as if to say, "okay, I've done my thing.  open
the door..."
 
Anyway, I hope these thoughts help someone out there...
 
Graham
YoungBEar
 
[Posted in FML issue 0565]