Post by w1ldc4rd on Jan 21, 2011 17:22:46 GMT -5
Hey guys,
First of all I'd like to thank everyone for the wealth of information that's been provided to me from this website. Although I never registered, I've been frequenting the forum for about two months now.
On that note, I feel it's high time I contributed something of my own.
Teaching your ferret its name:
As many of you already know, the younger the better. It's easier for ferrets to learn at an earlier age, just like as its easier for babies to learn languages when they are toddlers.
First of all I'd like to thank everyone for the wealth of information that's been provided to me from this website. Although I never registered, I've been frequenting the forum for about two months now.
On that note, I feel it's high time I contributed something of my own.
Teaching your ferret its name:
As many of you already know, the younger the better. It's easier for ferrets to learn at an earlier age, just like as its easier for babies to learn languages when they are toddlers.
- First, the most important thing is that you don't begin teaching the ferret in your own house. Teach it in a new environment where it feels insecure. The area should also be away from where other people or pets will bother you. I find that any type of athletic field or open forest works beautifully. Carry the ferret with you in your hoodie to the field for extra bonding time, especially if its cold since the ferret will associate your pockets and yourself as a source of warmth and comfort.
- If it's a baby ferret, bring ferretone as a treat. Adults can have normal treats as long as their teeth are developed enough.
- Place the ferret on the ground and run away a good distance so that he cannot sense your presence. You'd be surprised how far away a ferret can smell you.
- After a minute or so, call out its name. It's head should perk towards your direction. Repeat calling his name until he walks his way over to you, and let him have a lick of ferretone from your fingers, then run away to a new location.
- Keep repeating the same process, but call its name less frequently as he attempts to find you. Not only is this good for learning its name, but also its more fun for him and mentally stimulating since it becomes a challenge in finding your location.
- Experiment practicing the same thing at home. Eventually he'll associate the name calling with a treat,so the friendly environment won't be such a difficult hurdle to overcome.
- Also, for older ferrets, a good trick is to wait for it to get hungry, and feed the ferret with treats one at a time. Once he comes to you, drop the food in the bowl, then move to a new location with the food bowl and repeat.