Hi Nancy--You've got a difficult situation there, but I definitely wouldn't give up... >I thought she was getting better (wishfull thinking?) she may very well be getting better; she may also have 'relapses' from time to time; it really can take quite a while for a serious biter to come around. >...I smiled to... give him a kiss back, when ..SHE BIT ME... hard and >quick. yikes!...for the time being, I'd be careful about not letting her get into situations where she can catch you off guard. >I don't know what/if I'm doing anything wrong?!?!? you might not be doing anything wrong--it really takes time and patience to work with a biter. >Is being around other ferrets not helping her? does she like other ferrets? If so, I think it's helpful; she can also start to pick up *good* behavior from them, plus I think it's important for her to socialize if she wants to (if it's stressful for her, you may want to reconsider). >Should I pay more attention to her? Yes! lots of love and attention is very helpful; she needs to learn how to interact with *humans*; remember that *biting is entirely acceptable to other ferrets.* >Someone who has alot of experience with ferrets told me to pinch >her thigh when she has a bite hold on me because she'll immediately >let go. aagh! I think this is a bad idea. Myself, whenever Norm gets a bite hold on another ferret (or when he bit me) I put my fingers on his nostrils. He has to let go to breathe. But hurting someone back when they are hurting you can very well lead to increased aggression. I don't remember if you said she was abused or not (neglected?) If she has been abused, I think hurting her will make things worse. (I personally don't think it's a good idea anyway.) >Well, a couple of nights after the eye incident I offered her my >wrist (to test her) aagh! I strongly advise against deliberately trying to test her. I think it's asking for trouble. >There is no way she can be adopted out to someone who has no experience with ferrets. Yes, this is true! Even after she becomes very loving, *do not adopt her out to someone who doesn't know she might bite.* It isn't fair to either of them. >...after she bit my eye,we put her in the cage for a "timeout" and she started scratching at the floor to get out.I yelled NO! and I actually saw her stop, lie flat, and sigh. Great! You found something that's effective as well as humane! This sounds to me like progress! >Even when you scruff her, she'll hang there and NEVER sigh or yawn! >Stubborn? Obstinate? ferrets are stubborn, it's their nature :-) >Mentally impaired?? not necessarily; stubborn can also mean you persist until you achieve what you want; it can be a very good trait as well. >.. never encountered a ferret like her before. It doesn't mean she is 'bad'--she has just had a rough past and needs time, patience and love. >Can any of you relay a story to me like her .. where the outcome was good? Really, Norm was a serious biter (from abuse). He is now a very sweet, loving, *vulnerable* ferret. But I still do not play with him with my hands, let him get near my face, etc. Also, it took quite a while (months). And he occasionally will bite, which is why you would need to be *very* selective about who adopts her. >I need some ... encouragement. It's okay to get discouraged, ferret bites hurt!! But don't take it personally--it isn't you, it's her past circumstances. >I think she'd be a wonderful little girl to someone .. maybe, someday? definitely! she will be one of the most special ferrets to you when she does come around, I guarantee it. And it's great that you're working with her! It takes a very dedicated person to do that... Best wishes & keep us posted :-) --Ronnie [Posted in FML issue 1282]