I normally just lurk around but today I have a couple of things to say about how to discipline a ferret. I realize that I am preaching to the choir but sometimes I hear some of the most ridiculous things about what people think is acceptable. First, in my humble opinion, there is NEVER a reason to strike a ferret(or any other animal for that matter) regardless of what they may be doing. Nose thumping or whatever form of "striking" is unreasonable and cruel. They are little between one pound and five. Give me a break. Humans at a minimum weigh 100 lb.. Your hands weigh as much as they do. Any form of striking them will hurt them!!!!!!!!!! If you feel that you must strike a ferret for being a ferret you should NOT have them. They are mouthy creatures. Get over it!!! Ferrets are animals that love to play. If there behavior is bad it is a reflection of what they have been through. It is not the animals fault. I rescue and have had SEVERE bites from them. It took patience and a lot of love for them to come around. And I do not mean a couple of weeks it can take years when they have been abused by some other because of neglect, been struck for being a ferret or whatever. But they can come around. Not everyone is equipped to handle biters. If you are not equipped to deal with a biter find someone that can. The motto in our home: 'WE DO NOT HIT FOR ANY REASON'. We learn to behave but if it takes years so be it. I am not the one that endured the suffering they have, they can take as long as they want and I will just have to have my supply of band aids around. It has been my observation that they all can come around you just have to let them do it on their own terms. Rushing them and expecting a behavior from an animal is lubricious. They aren't human children that can tell you what happened. You just need to trust that something did and that is why they act the way they do. It is up to the person that has them now to gain their trust and you can't do it but inflicting pain of any kind. If you are the first owner then teach them what is acceptable behavior but thumping them on the nose will only teach them to fear hands. Educate yourself about positive reinforcement. Negative behavior will breed more Negative behavior and fear. Put yourself in there shoes. I mean wouldn't you bite someone that struck you on the nose? Considering of course that biting is your only defense against a 100 + pound human.... They don't sit around plotting their next bite.... Have a little common sense.... Don't need any flames here....not interested in hearing anyone defend a strike on a 5 lb. ferret for biting and drawing blood, been there done that and I never once had to strike him to get him to be a lover today!!!!! Sorry if this offends anyone, had to drop my two cents in.... Dooks to all!!! Cheryl and the Royal Gang Chief, Snuffy, Tabitha, Oscar, Oliver, Baby Huey, Tootling, Damian, Calvin and Hobbs (let's us out mom , let us out) Precious and Nubbs (running to secured location, mom is letting the furr kidds out) Spencer (Learning the ropes) [Posted in FML issue 3059]