From:
"Meryl Faulkner"
Date: 2008-10-30 02:03:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: New Ferret Issues - curing biters
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "lothiriel_bb" <lothiriel_bb@...>
wrote:"-he chomped down so hard I could actually HEAR the skin break.
Knowing he's a bit testy, I've been very careful > not to make sudden
movements around him. In fact, at the time he got > me I was sitting
perfectly still. He literally lunged and chomped."
I know how you feel. I've had several over the years that did that and
blood poured down my arm as I silently swore and inhaled deeply.
My veterinarian had excellent advice on how to make them let go when she
gave me a bad biter who had been dumped at her clinic. I also learned
through my human instincts that bribery works. These
techniques do not really punish the animal, it makes them let go, and
the treat giving makes them realize they are going to get rewarded for
good behavior. And you make the bad behavior (the bite) difficult to
achieve.
First, I usually offer a treat to the biter, before I pick it up whilst
saying their name. Then I hold the animal as it eats its treat,and have
a friend who holds the Nutrical, Linatone, whatever. As the ferret
finishes the treat either friend, or myself if I can do it alone, pour
Nutrical linatone, whatever, in said ferret's mouth so that it does not
have the option of biting (because its mouth is full).
However, when trying to pick the ferret up or when they approach you
(when alone), when they bite, despite the pain, you push the arm /hand /
whatever that is being bitten firmly further into the ferrets mouth
(pushing the head into the bite with your other hand if necessary). This
makes the ferret open its mouth (it probably initiates some kind of gag
reflex) and you can get it to release its grip. You then put the ferret
down and do not do anything until the next time you want to befriend it.
Then, next time, before picking ferret up, load mouth with treat, pick
ferret up, continue with liquid or solid treat- (liquids or gluey
products like Nutrical are good) and place ferret back on the ground
before treat is completely gone. Repeat ad infinitum. Then, you can also
use a squeak toy before treat giving, then you get ferret running to get
treat, and begging for treat. Soon you will have ferret running
to you and begging (at every opportunity). Now you have a new problem -
nuisance begging! But at least the biting is not an issue (or is
infrequent). Now you have to avoid treading on ferret as they stare
soulfully up at you!
It takes some time, but they all usually get the message. Occasionally
while playing they may revert/relapse, and give a nip. I usually just
say NO, push my flesh into their mouth, and they let go. Strangely
enough, when you push your hand in, it hurts less - or maybe that's my
strange body reaction. Again, sometimes you have to (with your other
hand ) push the head firmly into the bite, or push your bitten area into
the mouth so that they are forced to open their jaw
Hope this helps. Most do eventually learn that being picked up is a good
thing, and that humans are friendly beings. Once in a while one will
just revert -and bite when getting over excited. Then you just let them
calm down.
Meryl
-
>
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