I know we all raise our pets (and children) differently, but I have learned
an important thing about ferrets: They are gentle, sweet and easily
trainable.  There is no need to thump them, nor scruff so hard that they
cry.  I learned some wonderful training techniques from you all on this
list.  In fact, my only nipper stopped biting shortly after she came to us,
simply because I cried out every time she bit me.  I know they're not all
that easy, but we don't have to hurt them to teach them how we'd like them
to behave.  If you are someone who has been using harsh discipline methods
because they work, please consider that gentler methods may also be
successful.  Your ferrets will thank you for it.
 
Big Boy sometimes cries when the girls bite him.  The only other time I've
ever heard a ferret cry was while getting a shot.  If that's the kind of
pain it takes for a ferret to cry out, I can only imagine how much it must
hurt to have their skin pinched and twisted.  I'm not trying to say that
anyone who has done this is a bad person.  We all learn and grow.  Ferret
lovers, there are humane methods to train our little friends.  Ferret
Central has plenty of suggestions.  If you've been using harsh training
methods, I encourage you once again to try some gentler ones.  You may be
surprised.
 
To the person who had a question about Mazuri pet foods: I've never tried
them, but I did ask them a question from their web site once and they
emailed me right back.
 
http://www.mazuri.com is the address.  Good luck.
 
Jodie
Weasel
Jewel
Ruby Bell
Big Boy
[Posted in FML issue 2761]