Question:We got Marty a few weeks ago as a stray from a rescue centre. He had been there for a few months. He has started nipping us a bit. He didn't the first few times we played with him, but when he licks us, he has started to put his teeth in. Also, when we try to put his harness on, attempt to cut his claws, put him back in his cage, or untangle him, he'll try to bite. We have tried to get him familiar with his name by calling him & giving him a treat when he comes. This works fine in his cage, but he takes absolutely no notice of us as soon as he gets out. Please help!!
Answers:
Most ferrets will never know or respond to their name. This is OK. It doesn't mean they don't like you or their name...just that they do not associate.
There are lots of reasons ferrets bite and it normally has to do with play. I don't think you really have a 'problem ferret' here. He seems to be biting for all the normal reasons. He is biting out of play, unhappiness, and frustration. Also...ferrets are very curious creatures. Your ferret has been pent up in a cage, probably most of the day, and when you let him out all he wants to do is explore! He is ignoring you because he has so many things he wants to see and do! Here are my tips to you in order to have a happier ferret:
First...read this entire website. It has all the ferrety information you will ever need. http://www.ferretuniverse.com Second...start confining your ferret to one room. For example, your bedroom. Ferret-proof your bedroom and buy some extra litter pans. If you do all of this it will be safe to let your ferret roam free in this room all day. You can confine him in the cage at night when you are sleeping. Your ferret won't be so unhappy to go in his cage if he is givin adequate time to be free during the day. Third...stop using a harness to cut your ferrets nails. It is not necessary. Buy a bottle of FerriVite and use it to distract your ferret while someone else cuts his nails. He will be getting a tasty nutritious treat and you will be able to keep his nails trimmed without much fuss.
Above all, remember that this ferret was abandoned at a sheltor. He needs a lot of love, patience, and support from you.
just take a tazer and shock him to death then do what you want thengrab him by the tail and throw him as far as you can and he should start to go into a siezure or trance then quikly grab a piece of ham and slap him(MArty)with it.He should wake up and go to "sleep" just....don't wake him up
Do I get my ten points!
Welcome to the world of ferrets! The first thing you need to do is figure out if the biting is playful or agressive. It sound that it could be either. Ferret bites are nasty, so if it is agressive you would know it. Does he hang on? Break the skin? When he bites you need to react in the right way. If you are clipping his nails and he bites you and then you stop clipping and put him down/in the cage/etc you are rewarding the behavior.
When he bites you cannot react by pulling your hand away, getting upset, etc. You need to take the bite and then try scruffing by the neck and saying "no", place him in the cage for a few minutes. Be sure to let him out again after a few minutes and do the same thing that caused the biting in the first place.
It takes a lot of time and pacience to train a ferret. Most inexperienced people have trouble doing this. I suggest talking to the recue and asking thier advice, they should be able to help you.
You may need to give this ferret back to the shelter if you are unable to deal with the biting. It is not in the ferrets best interest for you to keep him if you cannot handle the biting(ie-you are too afraid to interact, let him out of the cage, etc) There is no shame in giving him back to people that know how to handle the situation.
I have a ferret that was abused and needed work becuase of biting. I took quite a few nasty bites to the hand. It took months to get her not to bite. I got advice from vets, rescues, etc on the best way to work with her. My time and effort paid off because I was willing.
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