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Post by nanners on Nov 30, 2011 21:57:57 GMT -5
I was just curiouse, my sable can stand on his back feet and stay there for half a minute while my albino stands up on his back feet and just falls down lol he can't stand like my sable does. Do some ferrets just have the ability to stand on their back feet while other ferrets can't?  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2011 22:13:28 GMT -5
Is your albino deaf? My deaf boy Fenton can't keep his balance well enough to stay standing up. My other 2 can.
Also, how old are they? I was told that young ferrets can't (and shouldn't) stand on their hind legs for very long.
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Post by Sherry on Nov 30, 2011 22:29:49 GMT -5
I've actually got one ferret who does stand on her hind legs- however, she uses a front paw to balance herself  Others have stood up like that when they are very interested in something, or want something from me ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2011 23:09:44 GMT -5
Fitness level?
I took out the ramps in my Ferret Nation cage awhile back to get back a bit of space and to help my girls develop some muscles. They now have no problems jumping, climbing, or standing on their back legs (still not sure whether or not this is entirely a good thing, lol). My boy, however, Meeko.. came from a home where he only had a single level cage and was locked up a lot. He's also pudgier than the girls and he has a hard time walking on wood floors, jumping, climbing, and he definitely can't stand on his hind legs.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 5:26:38 GMT -5
Mine can all stand (some longer than others), turn in circles, and roll over with hand gestures only all at once. I have/had a video i'll look 4 it.
Sent from my SCH-M828C using ProBoards
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 5:41:09 GMT -5
Fitness level does help. ^^ Both my boys can stand, Echo will stand longer because he knows he will be rewarded. Hunter not so long because he doesn't see the point.  The key is to reward them for standing, then slowly increase the increments between them standing and getting the treat. (I wouldn't encourage a kit or senior ferret to stand) |
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Post by nanners on Dec 1, 2011 12:10:34 GMT -5
I guess Mali is just a pudgy ferret  He's a year and a half so he isnt a kit anymore. I guess I will have to start building his muscels? Why shouldnt kits try and stand on back legs? I understand seniors-fragile. My older guy Kahlua stands very well-didn't teach him this-But he is kinda old.. I'm not sure how old but he's starting to turn grey. And I won't be able to discontinue this behaviour from him cuz that's just what he does when interested or begging. |
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 12:14:02 GMT -5
My ferret Lil Bit cant stand as long as my bigger ferret Maxwell. Their both sable so I dont think that has anything to do with it. I would assume it's just each different ferret.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 1, 2011 13:41:18 GMT -5
For kits, because their bone structure isn't fully developed. Oh- and don't assume your fuzz is getting old because his coat is getting grey ;D My 2yr old very dark sable is now almost silver over most of her body! And my 5yr old went grey at 3 1/2. It's not uncommon for ferrets to entirely change their colour  |
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Post by Heather on Dec 1, 2011 13:57:47 GMT -5
Ferrets are not designed to stand on their back legs. It's similar to dachshounds, they're not supposed to stand on their back legs either. I'm not saying they don't and that for a trick you shouldn't encourage it...occasionally...but it's not something they should do. All creatures with elongated spines should not be placed in an unatural position. They will stand up to peer at something but that's only for a minute, standing on their back legs puts unatural stresses on the spine. Spinal injuries are one of the most common injuries incurred by ferrets. So, if your wee ones cannot or will not stand on their back legs, it may mean that their core muscles are not strong enough to support them. Ferrets who are cage bound often lack core muscles and even the leg strength to do this standing.
ciao
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Post by nanners on Dec 1, 2011 13:59:03 GMT -5
Oh and I doubt he is deaf. He response to noises i'm sure.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 19:40:26 GMT -5
Ive actually trained mine to stand up on their hind legs for treats. I've never had a problem with them doing this. I started doing back and hind leg exercises when they were young because the ing legs and lower back seem to becomew "problem areas" for many ferret as they get older.
Heather, I do understand your concern. My kids have always been into standing on their hind legs on their own when the want to reach for something. The inclination to stand up on hind legs may vary by ferret. As with any exercise, overdoing it isnot a good thing....you may want to temper the activity on a per ferret basis.
-jennifer
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 19:44:07 GMT -5
Also, I fogot to mention...my kids are not caged and I started their regular core training (sitting up, leaning, tetc. ) beforeI encouraged them to raise up on their legs.
-jennifer
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2011 19:58:09 GMT -5
I just copied Heather's post above to the "Let's Build some muscle" thread because I do feel her conceerns are valid for a lot of ferrets. I started working on core and leg strentgh when my brats were young - it's always best to proceed with caution follow sound practices (for ferrets and people).
-jennifer
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Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2011 0:22:01 GMT -5
Some ferrets seem more natural at balancing on hind legs. I have one girl (Dixie) who does it constantly with no training (mainly because she's nosy and wants to know what's going on). My champagne girl Trixie stands on her hind legs much less, and if she does, she uses her front paws to balance on something. Pixie falls between those two. So even though strength training and building muscle probably help with standing on the back legs, it definitely seems like some ferrets are just better at it naturally.
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The key is to reward them for standing, then slowly increase the increments between them standing and getting the treat. (I wouldn't encourage a kit or senior ferret to stand)