Ferritude!

[sherrylynne]

When I got my new kit, Lucrezia, scruffing and hissing did wonders. Now, the little imp simply mimics me(hissing), then dances back and nips again! I scruff, hiss, drag(gently). She hisses, while being scruffed! I repeat, she repeats. A time out really helps, as she wonders what she's been missing during the eternity(3-5 minutes) she's been in the box! She runs and plays for a while, then the whole thing starts again. I can't get over how stubborn she is . Oh well, I did say I like them with attitude !

[suds]

LOL too cute almost as bad as a teenager haha


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[sherrylynne]

I'd say a good cross between a temper-tantruming toddler, and an attitude-filled teen !

[Heather]

Ha...you wouldn't happen to have a Path Valley or non - marshal's kit would you They don't care if you scruff them or not. They just seek revenge. Time outs, treats and lots of free time and lovins....sounds silly, not really. It has worked for me time and time again. They think you're playing. These ferrets have been bred to be ferrets, they're a lot of fun but they have a tendency to be nippy. I think they would do a lot to spend more time with momma fert and their siblings to learn bite inibition. Sales are much too important to pet stores and to the farms to allow this. How old is your naughty little sweety....she could very well be between kit and naughty teendom Most of my worst bitters were Path Valley ferrets...that being said they are also now my companions and spokesferts when I go anywhere. They are the most spirited and loving little fellows...actually they have a tendency to be heavier and stronger than the Marshals ferrets too. Marshal's breed for temperment. It's in their promise as a pet supplier. Their kits when they first come in are a little nippy but with handling they become totally passive. The only kit that I've ever had the pleasure to have (Path Valley) was a little demon child, but Napoleon just wanted to play...he is now the most passive little boy now (when he's in your arms), he's the furbrat on my shoulder in my siggy pic, we're at a humane society fund raiser and that was the photo that was in the newspaper. He was just over a year old, I can't believe it was that long ago....my little furbrat is now 4.
Try this .... she bites...scruff, say no, let the scruff go and snuggle and a kiss then put her down. The next time she comes to you but not to bite, pick her up snuggle her, give her a kiss and a treat, tell her she was a good girl and put her off to play. This means that you have to have treats on you the whole time she's out. The bite is only a invite to play...so what you have to do is condition her to ask to play in another way. Napoleon, learned to dig at my feet. It's just as painful as a bite but it's not a bite...the problem is if I ignore, he will dig again....if I can ignore a 4 lbs ferret digging at my feet again...he will then sink his teeth into the top of my foot..he always draws blood. He's never learned not to in that case. If you watch him though he will jump back....laugh (hiss)...do a ferret war dance and try and get me to chase him. It's all about play....they're not being mean they just want to play. If you want you can leave out the scruffing all together. I'm presently doing that with Fun-go Squiggly...he's afraid, so something has scared him so he attacks out of fear, not fun. So I don't scruff him at all. Everything is positive training. He for the most part doesn't bite anymore, except to initiate play, so now it's on to the second stage of his training.
Good luck, have fun with your little one, that's all she wants
ciao

[sherrylynne]

Oh, I know that she's wanting to play . She's only 4 months old. I don't know who the breeder is, but I live in Calgary, so if Path Valley is where they get them from?? And the cuddle, kiss, put down does do wonders. She's just learning what's acceptable and what isn't. She is a little darlin' though! Just happens to be full of attitude . She is getting better about how she asks to play, though. Now it's just generally flying through the air at you, wanting to be caught!

[Heather]

She sounds like my Napoleon I claimed that he spent more time "hanging around" (scruffed) than he did with 4 feet on the ground. I couldn't believe the attitude. His idea of inviting you to play was taking a flying leap into space and hope you would catch him. I don't know how many times I would walk into the bedroom only to be struck about hip height by the flying furry projectile (he'd just launch himself off the bed) . He reminded me of those cartoons....where something comes flying out at someone and misses and slides down the wall. That was my Napoleon. His idea of talking to you was to hiss at you....he would jump out from under the chair, all attitude, hissing and nipping (actually biting) then he would run back under the chair before you could do anything. With lots of hugs and snuggles he turned out ok...so there is hope Good luck
ciao