My seven-week-old and I are settling in a bit now, but we're still having
some getting-to-know-you misunderstandings.  He's my first ferret, and my
first young pet in 14 years, so there are a few things I would appreciate
comments on:
First, although I'm meeting with some success in training him not to nip
with the flick-in-the-nose-and-shout-NO! method, I've also sprayed Bitter
Apple on my hands once as a deterrent.  One bite convinced him that he
didn't want to try it again.  I wouldn't mind him licking my hands and
gently mouthing my fingers except that it usually leads to a playful but
painful (for me) nip.  Will this help, or will he just go back to nipping
if I don't use Bitter Apple when I pick him up?
 
Also: I've only had him for three days, but he seems very indifferent to
my presence.  I haven't had a young pet for years, as I stated above, and
never a ferret, so I just wondered if this is par for the course.
 
Third and last:  He's been 100% so far with the litterbox, even when it
necessitated climbing back into the cage.  Is this normal, or do I have a
very responsible kit?
 
Of course, the bright side of all my confusion is that I now know where my
socks are: they're behind the desk, of course :-)
 
Thanks,
Chris and the unnamed-as-yet baby carpet shark
Bellingham, WA
 
[Posted in FML issue 0760]