> happens, they will go right next to the litter box. We have Re fuzzies going around litter boxes rather than into them: A year and a half or so ago, I had this problem when training Seldon. I put a doubled-over old towel under the litter box forming a frame of about 4 inches on all sides, and that deterred him from going right next to it for the most part, because Seldon doesn't like to go on fabric (your mileage may vary). Dors never had this particular problem when she was learning, but then by the time I got her, I had the litter box enclosed on at least two sides by being wedged between the wall and the toilet. If any of you new fuzzy keepers are looking for a place to put the litter box, try between the wall and the toilet, but don't put it too far back behind the toilet to start. Also, I alcohol the floor periodically (it evaporates quickly, especially when wiped, so it seems safe). I've seen a few questions about litter training go by in the last fewe months, and I've been pretty successful with the training, so I post again my personal instructions. Pamela, everyone, what do you think? Shall we improve these and put them into the FAQ? (I haven't looked to see what's in the FAQ on this subject lately). ------ Here is my litter training technique. It may or may not work for you. My slinkies are perfect at using the box with about 2-4 rooms of area and just one litter box in the bathroom. Naturally if you don't cage your urchins (as I don't cage mine) you must quite adequately ferretproof any area you let them have (beware of escape, toxins, breakables, scratchables, upturnables, and chewables). I bitter-apple-goo (the goo, not the spray) the electrical cords just for added safety. 1. Start with the ferrets confined to a single room. I started with the bathroom, placing a box in a corner right near the toilet (so I can throw the poops in the toilet every day). I've cut out the front of the box so the front lip is only 1 inch high. I use standard clay litter, non-scoopable. 2. If they make an occasional mistake, you can try (cleaning it up very well and) putting a rumpled up old blanket or old clothing in the corner or area where they made the mistake. My ferrets will not go on a rumpled up blanket, perhaps thinking it an auxilary bed, or in any case, not a corner (who knows what they really think?). Your results may vary. If they are totally out of control (or if the blanket trick doesn't work), then confine them to a smaller area. If they are already confined to only one room, them confine them to a smaller area, eventually so that they must choose between going in their bed or the box. If the latter doesn't work, I don't know how to help you. 3. Once they are using the area perfectly (for a week or two), add a little bit more area, say, a hallway or a small room. As a wall, I use large pictures (with adequate support) with the glass turned inward; you may have to use plexiglass if your urchins jump high. If you close a door to make a wall, you may have to put a strip of chickenwire or plastic runner under the door so they won't dig the carpet to shreds. If they make mistakes, go to step 2. If they are ok in the new area (but wait a week to make sure), go to step 3. I don't think you can expect ferrets to use just one litter box if they have to travel more than 3 rooms to get to it or have to go up or down stairs (but maybe some people have more trainable urchins than mine). Tips: If you catch them doing it wrong, yell "No!" loudly, try to pick them up and turn them upside down before they actually go, and flick them on the nose hard once or twice (you must make it very unpleasant for them to have tried to go in the wrong place -- though some keepers may not agree with flicking them, as they maintain it may make them more violent), and put them in the litter box. Speak soothingly to them when they come out, or if they were just faking watch them and repeat the procedure if they decide to go in a bad place. Ferrets usually go within 5 minutes of waking up. It helps if you can be home to watch whenever you expand to a new area (ideally, pick a weekend). If they are voiding under a dresser, prevent them from going under there. If under a bed, either prevent them from going under, or try the blanket trick, but generally, if they are out of control, confine to a smaller space that doesn't include the bed or other problem area until they are quite good at the smaller area. If they go on carpet, go to a janitor supply place and get an enzyme that breaks down urine. Soak up as much as you can with a paper towel, then pull up the carpet (since they go near a corner this is easy) and spray the enzyme on the pad and under the carpet as well as on top. If you move the ferrets to a new area, you may have to train them anew (I moved twice recently, and they are back up to several rooms again). If you alternate areas, then it may be a little hard to train them, but if the blanket trick works then you may be able to use it. ------ Re bite ferrets Most of the fuzzies I've met (about 200, or maybe 30 that I've played with seriously) are wonderful, and don't bite harder than enough to make you say "ow, stop that" (lower case). I think that a lot of fuzzies take after their keepers, and want to please them. Both of my urchins are really good about it, and in fact Seldon will not bite you no matter what you do. It sounds as if Otto needs more instruction, and I would say from your description that he is more of a biter than most. Go to a high quality mall-type pet store and meet some slinkies -- you'll still see them housing the slinkies in shavings (which I believe without evidence can irritate respiratory systems, or if cedar is downright poisonous), and the poo in the corner, but the fuzzies you meet at a good pet store will only bite while playing for the most part. About half of the fuzzies which I've played with in pet stores (and I always play "rough" and rile them up massively) would bite hard enough to hurt a little, but I'm confident these would learn quickly not to bite if I kept them. Re Martins -- Playful Thieves program on TV The program last night on the Discovery Channel was an hour long, and examined most of the major mustelids. They spent especially much time on Martins, the Mouse Weasel (which hunts mice), Polecats (which look remarkably like ferrets but are not quite the same species, and if I remember not nearly as domesticated as the European Domestic Ferret), and (River) Otters (which are apparently nearly endangered). The program was quite enthusiastic about the Weasel family, talking often about play, housing, and reproduction, and speaking in neutral terms about the family's expert hunting abilities. The tone was respectful and fair, going a little into a conservationist tone. They did not mention pet domestic ferrets anywhere, which I though was a small lack, given the popularity as pets. Thanks for patience on the long post. Todd Cromwell Behalf of Dors (Ms. Insane) and Seldon (Mr. Well Behaved) [Posted in FML issue 0894]