One trick I learned at the FML 10 anniversary party about a decade
ago is that ones who are afraid of hands due to having been struck or
flicked sometimes make real progress if the hands are at first hidden
behind a thick cloth so the ferret gets used to kind touches by feel
first before slowly sneaking out the hands over time.

If there is an abuse background before you got this one -- which sounds
possible -- then the first thing to attend to is building trust. The
rest can come later. Also, avoid any rapid movement that will startle,
esp. if there may have been abuse. Let the little one learn you and
come to trust you first.

Trust is the foundation.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

[Posted in FML 5698]