Baldrick now has the run of the house, except for a couple rooms. One of the blockades we're using -- a moderately heavy slab -- was just sort of wedged up against the entryway to a forbidden zone, and, stupidly, we didn't test it for stability. Baldrick was trying to climb over it, and he managed to dislodge one end, and it fell back on top of him. He bolted into the bedroom, emitting a horrifying screeching sound I hope I never hear again. Luckily, he was uninjured, but it scared the heck out of him and was probably the first time he had experienced pain. It could have been a tragedy, and we would never have forgiven ourselves if he had been harmed because of our thoughtlessness. That's a lesson we learned the hard way: always secure those barricades firmly! At first, Baldrick was so excited about being able to run around more freely, that he forgot everything he had learned about litter boxes. He changed his "arrangements" around slightly, but now everything is proceeding normally. Surprisingly, he seems willing to run back to the bathroom to use his litter box even if nature calls when he's clear at the other end of the house! He never ceases to amaze us. As for nipping: is it really important to try to get kits to stop nipping completely, or do ferrets just tend to outgrow the habit? Baldrick does tend to nip, usually while playing, and it seems he's doing it affectionately. For about a week I tried scruffing and bellowing -- and really, he doesn't nip hard anymore -- but I've found simply talking softly to him and kissing him on the face a lot works just as well (which is, not very). If this is allowing him to form bad habits which will remain with him into adulthood, I will redouble my efforts. But if it's simply kit behavior that he'll grow out of, I'd rather put up with it than make things unpleasant for him. -Brandon + Baldrick (who is very amused by the way I hobble around after spraining my knee) Salt Lake City, UT [Posted in FML issue 2449]