Steve, please don't use "spanking" as a means to discipline your ferrets.
They are such tiny creatures and could so easily be injured.  (When I
trained our puppy, the only discipline I used was raising my voice if
necessary.)  As for the ferrets, I put them into their cage if they are
misbehaving.  A gentle touch and a serious tone in your voice will probably
go much further in teaching them and they will never learn to fear your
hand.  Hope this helps, Jean.
[Posted in FML issue 1642]