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Post by rachellori on Apr 14, 2012 16:53:36 GMT -5
I've seen tips on shoulder training on one site and in one of the books I got (NOT Ferrets for Dummies) and no where else. Not seeing it on the forum is making me wonder if it's a good idea or not? I love the idea of my ferret chilling out on my shoulder, but not if it's unsafe.
Obviously any time he/she was up there I would have a leash and harness on for safety.
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Post by Jaclynn on Apr 14, 2012 16:57:09 GMT -5
I think it would be VERY hard to train a ferret to sit on your shoulder. They are just so active and wiggly...
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Post by Sherry on Apr 14, 2012 17:00:26 GMT -5
Suki is, for the most part, a shoulder ferret. Since she preferred being up there, I just reinforced the behaviour with treats while she was there. However- I never take my hand off of her, just in case she decides jumping down is something she'd like to try  |
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Post by bitbyter on Apr 14, 2012 17:04:26 GMT -5
Wilma loves to ride around the house on my shoulder but if I lean forward or get close to a piece of furnature she will try to climb down my back / arms. I really only take her on rides when I'm going from a to b to grab something, otherwise it would be to much of a hassle to have her constantly trying to use me as a mount from ferret room to more interesting parts of the house.
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Post by Heather on Apr 14, 2012 19:55:35 GMT -5
I've had a number of ferrets who will lean on me but not ride on my shoulder. They're just too much into what's going on around them. Truly their attention span is just too short for it to be safe.
ciao
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Post by Guest on Apr 15, 2012 1:55:47 GMT -5
Mali loves to hang around my neck in the car while facing towards the window like a dog LOL or when he gets tired/cold on walks. When he was young I kept putting him on my shoulders and walked around with him. He would only stay on a minute or two but he soon got his balance and stayed on 5 minutes and now he sleeps in my hoodie when I have it up when we travel.
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Post by weezily on Apr 15, 2012 16:10:36 GMT -5
A couple of my kids are shoulder ferrets; I have to watch if I bend over somewhere where they're up a little higher because they'll jump onto my back/ shoulder to hitch a ride!
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Post by mustelidmusk on Apr 15, 2012 19:31:15 GMT -5
My Tomichi is THE PERFECT shoulder queen....If you do "shoulder train", I recommend that you do this as follows: (My OPINIONS ONLY)
* female ferrets only - they are smaller, and they tend to be more focused than the males, which tend to be more laid back.
* keep the shoulder-riding restricted to known/familiar locations (the house), and do this only under normal circumstances ( not while you're entertaining guests).
Yes, ferrets are smart enough to "ride" - the problem is that the fall is so risky (death and/or permanent disability/pain) Honestly, I recommend that shoulder-riding activity be kept as a "personal bonding activity" with complete owner-ferret focus. The idea is that this is a personal activity with 100% focus of human to ferret rather than an overall social event.
While it IS fun to show off your ferrets, I find that my brats prefer a somewhat private lifestyle. If you do shoulder-train, I do recommend keeping any public exposure to minimum simply because the stress levels for your ferretin social situations can be very high - and a fall can be lethal.
Also - keeping the toe nails long is an asset for shoulder-riding, but long nails are risky for nail injuries.
Not all ferrets have the temperament and/or focus to be shoulder riders (most do not), so please be ver cautious with your efforts.
-jennifer
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Post by smoogy on Apr 16, 2012 0:16:00 GMT -5
Lyla loves hanging from our shoulder... it's her favorite spot when we go out  But I've been unable to train my other two to stay on  lol |
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Post by rachellori on Sept 30, 2012 10:29:18 GMT -5
Remus and I are working on shoulder training, slowly. (We're being safe! If I'm not sitting on the bed while he's up there I have a hand on him at all times)
He's doing well...I give him some 'tone and that distracts him for a minute or two. But with him being deaf I'm not really sure how to 'explain' to him that I'd like him to stay up there...Any tips?
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Sushi La Fuchi
Adolescent Member
Owned by 1 Spoiled Ferret Girl
Posts: 374
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Post by Sushi La Fuchi on Sept 30, 2012 12:41:09 GMT -5
Sushi's actually pretty good about being on my shoulder, but backwards. lol... Her butt faces my face and she watches what's going on behind me. ;D I can walk around all over the house with her riding my shoulder for the most part, even up the stairs, but occasionally she will get antsy or curious and start wriggling around. When she begins to get impatient I'll put my hand on her to hold her to my shoulder or I will just end up carrying her. I've never really trained her, I've just been doing it since i had her at 3 months old, so I guess she's just used to it and thinks it's normal. I'll sometimes try to face her the right way on my shoulder, but she seems to lose her footing that way and gets distracted more easily, so we're working on that. I'll probably start using treats to train her to face the right way and not have her butt in my face. ;D
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Post by crazylady on Sept 30, 2012 16:02:47 GMT -5
some ferrets sit on shoulders some don't can you train a ferret to do it my personal opinion is no there too active plus there are many distractions and risks to take in to consideration what if you coughed or sneezed ? a startled ferret can bite would you fancy wearing some ferret in your face ? ears too are tempting to bite especially those wearing earrings that move they could also see a shadow moving while sitting on a shoulder and leap landing where ? have I had them climb on my shoulders sure but I dont let them stay there long lol I have even had them sleep in my pocket some days when out hunting ( I wear a deep pocketed jacket lol ) but it has a zip that leave slightly open lol so they cannot escape lol its all down to the owner how well do you know your ferret ? and are you willing to take the consequence if things go wrong take care bye for now
bev
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Post by noahsark on Sept 30, 2012 16:50:40 GMT -5
My first ferret, Houdini, loved nothing more than a good ride in the hood of your sweatshirt. Anywhere. All the time. She'd even sleep back there. But she'd never ride without the hoodie. It was adorable.
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Post by Yurei Avalon on Oct 1, 2012 8:22:12 GMT -5
Chell is a big shoulder rider, or she'll sit on top of your head. I generally don't walk around with her on my shoulders except in the playroom where the bed is no more than 3 feet away at all times for her to land on if she slips and falls. I also keep hands free to catch her.
She's a wardy and super cuddly. This is a ferret that will literally just lay in your arms, star up adoringly at you and snuggle with you while you carry her around, she *needs* to be near you a lot, very clingy. If you're in a room and she's in a cage and not sleeping, she WILL rage and create havoc until she can be let out and petted. She doesn't want to play, she just wants your attention. I haven't tried putting her in a hoodie as she's very large for a jill, over 2 lbs and quite large. I'm sure she would love it though if she'd fit and she'd probably fall asleep and nap in there lol! She's the type of ferret I'd feel ok with having at work all day. After some initial exploring, she'd probably pass out somewhere comfy under my desk.
She's one of those ferrets that is allowed to sleep overnight in the room with us because she finds a cozy place and just conks out for 8 hours at a time until I wake her up or she is finally hungry/needs to poo.
Most of my other ferrets aren't cuddly enough to warrant shoulder rides. Glados will climb all over your shoulders, but she doesn't sit still, she just keeps squirming about on you.
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Post by mikeybox on Oct 1, 2012 13:09:10 GMT -5
I'm surprised a deaf ferret has good enough balance to ride on your shoulder.
My deafie Fenton has enough trouble keeping his balance on stationary objects ;D It's not unusual to see him fall off of things...
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