From:
juliegambone@hotmail.com
Date: 2003-05-30 18:54:42 UTC
Subject: RE: Demon ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8153989.1054320882708.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Rachel,
I have three ferrets myself, one of which has always been much feistier than the others, so I can relate to your frustration. It is possible that Trigger has some insecurity issues that cause him to be what seems to you to be spiteful and mean. I know our little one, Bella, has a lot of the same behaviors - she uses the litter box pretty regularly but she is very spiteful and does bite feet when she is out if we aren't giving her enough attention. I don't know what kind of life the little furballs have before they get to us, but I imagine most of them (pet store ferrets) don't have a very loving one.
What I have found to be the most effective in helping Bella trust me is to be very gentle with her when handling her and to just scuff her lightly when she does something wrong along with a firm "no". Yelling at Trigger or even a tap on the nose may seem like a good idea when you are angry with him but it will be more likely to make him fear you than make him behave. As far as the biting goes, bitter apple spray has been pretty effective for mine. Just spray it on your feet (or wherever Trigger tends to bite you) when he is out and he should soon learn that biting results in a really icky taste. I have had litter training issues with all of my ferrets but the best thing I have found is to keep clean litter, reward the little guy when he gets it right, and when he misses, put it where it goes so he knows for next time. I know there have been posts about little training before, and they may have some better suggestions.
I was really very frustrated with Bella at first, but I have realized that she really does just want attention, she just doesn't know how else to ask for it. If Trigger is biting the bars and destroying the cage, a time out in a cat carrier is a good idea, but if you can handle it, ignoring him altogether is a good way to teach him that bad behavior doesn't lead to attention from you. My boyfriend likes to take Bella out when she is sleepy to reinforce that being calm cuddly will get her the attention that she wants. Its a long process, and it takes patience, but I think its worth it in the end.
I am not a ferret expert, but I hope this helps.
Julie