So many kind and caring people are writing to help with Buffy, the perpetual biter. I want to share a theory about deaf female ferrets that seems to make a lot of sense that I received from someone who breeds ferrets. Kathy's Theory: I hope I am doing this right. If Kathy corrects me, I will write that correction on the FML. Or she can do so herself. Simply put, a deaf ferret does not wake up when she hears the others feeding when she is a baby. She misses out. The other ferrets are on the teats, and now this little deaf female is going to weaken and die. To survive, she may bite the other babies out of the way. And maybe she bites mom to get her milk. She associates biting with getting what she needs. She gets sold way too early at a pet store. She has been biting for what she needs. She continues doing so. Home she goes to a family who does not even know she is deaf. She runs up to them for attention and bites them on the ankle. They react instantly in fear, pain, and surprise. They kick her. She rushes back in anger. She is kicked again. And maybe again and again. She goes back to the store filled with fury now. And the next family finds this terrible biter. And on it goes. The second part of the theory: ONE of the reasons the ferret keeps coming back to the person who is NOT hurting her *is for attention.* She needs attention. So if she is picked up and given positive attention for some time before she can bite, the instant bite reaction may be broken. And the human is associated eventually with warmth, and soft touches, treats, and consistency...safety. I think this is one possible explanation for female deaf biters. They are smaller than the males, yet need moms milk. They are late on the scene. They are starving. They bite for survival. A habit is formed. Buffy is now occasionally thinking about whether she is going to attack me or not. It is not an instant thing each and every time in this short period of time. There was another time today she walked away from me though she saw me. That makes 4 times. I do not ever just pick her up yet. I pick her up when she is after me and give her genteness, then softly put her down. We might do this dozens of times in a row. I might put her in a time out in a small carrier for 10 minutes, then feed her treats with my finger nails through the bars. She feels more relaxed if another ferret comes in with her. She has actually come to enjoy this for a good 20 miinutes. Then I let her out...and run like heck. LOL For the moment I am not judging her. I am not correcting her yet. I am just showing her she is in a safe place and she is in control. She has chewed the tar out of 3 pair of shoes. But her desire to tear them apart has already lessened. I did not see her carrying any off today to shake them to death. I think we are moving in a positive direction already. I may be wrong. This will be a slow process. Time will tell. But Kathy's Theory has played a big part in how I see Buffy when she charges me. A part of this insane dangerous animal charging after me in rage and habit needs attention and affection and security. I like this theory for Buffy and me. We seem to be making amazing headway using this premise. Thank you Kathy. Lisette [Posted in FML 5956]