Michelle has been having trouble with collars and ID tags. Some time ago, i wrote in to warn that the woven nylon kitten collars I was using had become dangerously tight, because when the ferret scratches it (and they scratch everywhere, all the time), the fibers bunch up and make the collar shrink. So don't use those! The tiny leather collars I brought from Australia were better, but the ferrets often managed to undo them. However, someone else wrote in with the useful advice of making your own collars with sewing elastic--tailored to fit each ferret. I though this was great, but before I had the chance to buy some, I discoverec that one of my elastic hair ties fit Rikki perfectly. I attached a bell and ID with little rings, and he has been wearing it for months now with no loss or discomfort. When it does wear out, I will either make my own from sewing elastic, or find another hair tie of the same type. They seem foolproof. And they are cheap. So there you go. I really think the collars and IDs are important, even for "strictly house" ferrets. You never know when they are going to slip out undetected... And the bells help me keep track of him. Also, thanks to a reminder from Modern Ferret magazine, I finally got around to teaching Rikki to roll over. My training took longer than the article writer intimated, but then Rikki is older and so presumably learns a little more slowly. But after a few days, one or two "training sessions" per day using small pieces of raisins as rewards (more than that and you give them too many treats!), Rikki is now doing it! It's hilarious. I hope that he too will generalize this behavior to tell me when he wants something/anything. He is pretty prompt about coming when called--another important thing to teach ferrets. I use a distinctive whistle which means "I have a treat for you". Now, for my next trick... Chuckles, Sue [Posted in FML issue 1442]