When you think about bitting a ferret back, it's not really being cruel, you are talking their language. Not only do I bite a ferret back, I'll hiss at them while bitting them!!!! It may sound gross, but it worked for my 5 ferrets!!! I had one of my ferrets given to me by a friend who couldn't keep him. DWeasel was 12 weeks old back then and would bite anyone any chance he got. It took 2 weeks of bitting & hissing back at him before he learned that I wouldn't tolerate his bitting!! Today, DWeasel gives me the most kisses out of my 5 ferrets. Jeanne [Posted in FML issue 0603]