To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Ferret Soup and Good Mother Earth Here at Ferrets NorthWest FNW we've had success with the K9 imprinters by using 2 drops of Ferretone on the supine, open palm of the hand for the nipper to lick EVERYTIME you pick him(er) up. We hold the critter neck-high on the right forearm and against your chest, so when he's licking the FT from the palm, you talk to him in a happy voice, always using the same words. Be sure to breathe heavily on your fuzzy so your breath becomes your scent signature to your critter, as does your skin scent also with the drops of Ferretone. In addition, when feeding the warm soup LUMPS, dip your finger tip into the soup and allow him to lick the soup from your finger, all the time rotating your finger so he gets to lick it all clean. Just be alert to a possible mouth grab after all the soup's licked away, at least for the first several times you try this. This encouragement of the licking response tends to negate K9 imprinting quite effectively for us. Tis good that you allowed Gus access to Mother Earth. Here at FNW, all our ferrets, except the boarded ones, get to dig short tunnels and curling pits during the dryer summer months in our digging grounds. Yes, it does get dry in Seattle on that one day of summer we have every year. We stake up to 14 ferrets at a time on 7 stakes in what was formerly our grassy side lawn. They are SECURELY harnessed in figure 8 leather harnesses (Englander imports), each with a 3 foot nylon/cotton leash line, looped in the end that is dropped over a 1 foot vertical steel rod projecting from the ground. And let me tell you, you don't have to encourage them to dig...they dig furiously and drag their diggings, their own little piles of dirt, between front and rear paws while backing up out of their tunnels. Very, very enjoyable to watch them dig, because they seem to enjoy it so much. Also the males develop heavy muscles in their shoulders and neck. As you probably know, they are in the same family as the badger, one of the worlds greatest diggers. At least two benefits: 1. No longer need to trim claws. 2. No longer need to bathe any ferret. The good, clean Mother Earth just happens to be the best ferret shampoo there is. Those big ballbearing adult hobs come out absolutely odorless, except for the scent of fresh clean earth on their pelts. Just reflect on this a moment...how long would an adult ferret survive its natural predators if it smelled strongly? Probably not very long. However, when they live in the soil, their odor completely disappears and their scent differentiation to a predator must be absolutely minimized. I would heartily encourage you to let Gus out often so he could dig for joy. Edward Frettchenvergnuegen Lipinski, [Posted in FML issue 1817]