Hi FML and thank you BIG. My name is Todd and I live in Upstate NY (Rochester Area) with my lovely wife and one weasel named Mattie (you may recall my "Attack Ferret" series last spring). I have been on this list for at least three years, lurking away learning all I could before I took the plunge. Mattie has grown into the sweetest gentlest ferret you could imagine. She can be a little wild if kept in her condo all day, but a low gentle "No Bite" keeps her teeth off my fingers. I believe in a no tolerance policy ... animal teeth do not touch human skin -- period. A bit lofty of a goal for a ferret, but I'm getting there. At worst she "mouths" my fingers, especially when she wants to get her way (like "put me down" ). I haven't had a real bite since she was a kit, and again, a gentle "No Bite" converts the mouthing to licks. Lick Lick Lick, unless she's really in pursuit mode, in which case she she rolls around and gets all frustrated -- I think she wonders why I can't understand "ferret-nibble-speak". I want to finally get her to where she won't mouth or nibble at all so I can take her more places. Thanks to the FML for teaching me how to teach her, no nose flicks, no negative reinforcement except "time out". Just lotsa love and patience. I am still lurking away, occasionally wandering in to say Hi and enjoying every moment of this list. Todd [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2889]