Please don't flame me.
 
A very good way to practice animal communication is not always to try and
make animals have human abilities and feelings but instead to understand
how an animals brain and instincts work.  Really it's acting more
animal-like than making your cat, dog, or fert human.  This takes time,
and research.
 
For example dogs like social structure, some things we do fits into the
social order, for example shaking a dogs paw is actually a submissive
act.  It tells fido, you're in charge.  Mustelids use their mouths, (like
dogs) I've found that acting like a ferret makes my fert think I'm one of
him.  I use my mouth, just like mom did.  He thinks he's getting groomed,
he's getting socialised and no longer nips at all at anything thing above
the shoulders.
 
My inlaws had a dog that was almost killed and very fearful of people.  A
little face licking (I know yuck) by both of us and he's my best friend.
Once I can gain an animals trust and I can feel reasonably certain I can
trust an animal you wouldn't believe the break throughs in socialization.
 
Note, this doesn't work with reptiles and yes I've been bit alot by cats
and dogs.  I'm looking forward to working with a biting fert.  That is my
next challenge..
 
Pax Furo
 
Dave
 
Moderator California Ferret Underground
 
(Ferret Chat every Wednesday Night from 6 pm to 9pm Pacific time, just
click on "chat" at the CFU yahoo group)
www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferretunderground
[Posted in FML issue 4079]