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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 19, 2010 8:32:30 GMT -5
I purchased a tandum coupler and harnesses, still need a leash though. I need advice on how to go about getting them used to harnesses and then the tandum and the leash. After they are used to the harnesses should I get each used to a leash first then the tandum or the tandum then the leash? I want to do it the least stressful way possible and be able to take them on walks and to the part with me and my kids. It would be a while before their first actual walk though as they have muscle issues from being locked in the cage for pretty much 2 years straight Any advice would be great!
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 20, 2010 20:00:21 GMT -5
I got the harnesses today. Should I just put the harnesses on during supervised play and take them off during unsupervised free time? I'd like them to be good to go with us when we go to a swap for 4 days the first weekend in June. I do not have anyone that can watch the pets. The cat will be fine, I have extra dishes and litter pans for when I have to be away a couple of days, thermostat keeps the house good temps. Snakes don't really need anything but once a week feeding and that will happen day after we get back. Fresh water will go in before we leave. I really want to take the fuzzbutts with me. Any advice would be great.
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Post by sherrylynne on May 20, 2010 21:40:30 GMT -5
For mine, I let them wear the harness inside for a while, with the lead attached, to make certain they couldn't slip it! Once I was fairly sure, I just took them outside. After a rather short while, they learn halter/lead = outside
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 21, 2010 9:33:37 GMT -5
Well, I put the harnesses on them but they can slip them around their waists where they kind of get stuck. I think I need a different kind of harness. I got the goofy looking ones made especially for ferrets. I'll have to get a pic, I think I should look at the harnesses more like what dogs wear. I don't want them getting loose. I just went to check on them and both had gotten totally out of the harnesses. Better ones are deffinitely in order
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Post by horse656 on May 24, 2010 8:25:53 GMT -5
or maybe better fitting ones.
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Post by sherrylynne on May 24, 2010 9:11:37 GMT -5
They do need to be really snug on both neck and body. I use the H-style harnesses, but still have two who can slip them
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 24, 2010 17:16:38 GMT -5
I looked while out today and could not find better harnesses, I will be going by a petco wednesday and will see if they have any better. I do not want to have to try to design my own as I have no idea how to go about it!
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Post by Heather on May 24, 2010 23:15:30 GMT -5
These are the harnesses I use with my guys I've found that these harnesses work the best for my guys. They have to be snug, they almost seem too tight. I've tried others but these work the best for me and the guys. They can get them turned around so that the back piece is under them and between their legs (I'm not sure how they succeed at this but they do ). They're Hagen brand ciao
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 25, 2010 7:29:35 GMT -5
Thank you! Now I know what to look for.
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Post by mustelidmusk on May 25, 2010 21:07:42 GMT -5
I found this article on harness training. It may have some good ideas. I didn't read it since my brats are major chickens when outside unless they are being held en.allexperts.com/q/Ferrets-2277/2009/1/ferret-harness-issues.htmI didn't leash train my brats because I don't want them trying to get outside - we have too much seriously gnarly wildlife in our backyard (even mountain lions) They'd never survive the night in my neighborhood) -jennifer
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 25, 2010 22:04:56 GMT -5
Thank you for the article. We only have a week to get them used to having a harness on. Boy are we in for a work out. I was only able to find one of the better kind of harness too. So since Jack is more than twice her size Dianne gets the new one and I will alter the smaller of the two we got before to fit him better. Jack is more laid back and will probably sleep most of the time in the playpen or travel cage. Dianne is the one I am more worried about getting bored and wanting to take off so I am going to focus on working with her for training. For now. At the very least I want it on her so if I set her down for a moment I know she can not take off. I will have my camera with me and take lots of pics of Jack and Dianne's camping trip with us. If they do well in this very controlled setting we may take them on other camping trips with us or even hiking. I got frontline spray for them. This way they will hopefully not bring home fleas. I will keep a little journal so I can share with you all how they do. I am freezing about 10 water bottles for the trip just in case. If not needed they will get some chilly drinking water lol! I'm so nervous. Will try to get pics of how Dianne reacts to the harness.
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 29, 2010 12:00:57 GMT -5
Well, my camera batts are charging so I was unable to get pics of Dianne on her harness the first time. Nor did I get pics today when I took them out for their first walkies! I took them one at a time. Dianne first as she was raring to go. She took me all over the yard before she decided she was done and led me back to the door! I told her what a good, smart girl she is and gave her a treat. Then I took out Jack. At first he stretched out as far as he could and stayed that way sniffing. Then a blue jay called and he jumped a mile! After glancing every which way to see if what made that call was coming for him, he decided to "swim" through the grass. It was so cute! He looked like a white fuzzy snake Then he went around the planters with my tomato plants in them before deciding he was done too. We went back in but he did not want his treat. He has no treats he will take But I think the loves and pets he got when his harness came off got the point through that he had done well. This bodes well for our upcoming trip. I hope to be able to report back after the trip that they did good.
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Post by sherrylynne on May 29, 2010 23:47:09 GMT -5
Good luck and it's sounds like you had a good first outside trip I use the same kind of harness as Heather, and like she said- it has to be at a point where it almost seems TOO tight, or they can slip them in a few seconds. A simple roll, and out they go
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Post by carnivorouszoo on May 31, 2010 9:26:50 GMT -5
Yeah, they look like they are choking but they aren't. I can get my fingers in there no problem but they have yet to get out without a tight space to help lol! They only have the harnesses on with supervision. We leave for our trip early Thursday morning. I am so nervous.
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