<donning flame-proof suit> I don't understand where everyone gets the idea that nose flicking is hitting. Hardly! A flick on the nose is gentle, meant to startle the animal out of what he's doing. A hit is meant to inflict pain. Hits are done with the hand, forward or backward. A flick is done with the fingertip. You can flick ants off the picnic table and watch them continue on their way, why would a flick on a ferret's nose be so damaging? Why scare the snot out of prospective/new owners by describing flicking in such a manner by comparing it to hitting and nose-breaking? Why not describe it gently..."lightly tap the ferret on the nose with your fingertip after uttering a strong 'no!' or 'ow!'"? Compare it to how you would tap the buttons on a telephone when dialing a phone number. I have never HIT my ferrets, but I have flicked them occassionally. They are well-adjusted, affectionate, happy, and non-biters. Just my opinion. Aileen [Posted in FML issue 3061]