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Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 0:01:43 GMT -5
I think Galinda may need a new home she's now healthy and happy, but all this happiness is not mutual between us. It's hard to admit, but I think she's above my skill set. I think she's deaf (or she just doesn't care). She doesn't respond to any sort of discipline I've tried. Time outs, being firm (with care of course) nothing phases her. She gets into everything, she digs, she has no respect. I'm really selling her, huh? She's fun. She does these cute little rolls when she wants something and she looks so much better than when I got her (missing hair has grown in, abscessed tooth has been removed). I love her and I want to make sure she's happy and well cared for, but she's driving me bonkers! I can't make anything ferret proof with her, she's smart and determined. She's sassy, but I think she's too much for me. She's not a Marshall's and I don't know much about her past except she was kept outside and fed scraps. She's 2-3 years old. She's a DEW. She eats raw chunks and anything else she can get her paws on. I don't want her to go to just any home. She needs love and LOTS of patience from a ferret wise human. We're in Great Falls, Montana. I'd be willing to meet part way or something. I don't get on here much, so email me if you are interested or have any suggestions. Quixoticwhit@gmail.com Thank you.
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Post by Sherry on Apr 4, 2013 19:02:27 GMT -5
She does sound like a typical ferret. I'm sorry you aren't able to cope with her, and hopefully she finds a good home.
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Galinda
Apr 4, 2013 19:11:41 GMT -5
Post by nancyl on Apr 4, 2013 19:11:41 GMT -5
She sounds like a breeder ferret to me. They are just a tad tougher than MF. They can be a challenge. And they do frequently require a different skillset.
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Galinda
Apr 4, 2013 20:26:47 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Apr 4, 2013 20:26:47 GMT -5
What behaviour are you trying to discipline her for? What ferret proofing have you tried?
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Galinda
Apr 6, 2013 16:55:36 GMT -5
Post by katt on Apr 6, 2013 16:55:36 GMT -5
I hate to say it, but that is normal ferret behavior. If you can't handle her, there is no guarantee that any other ferret is going to be any better. In fact, they may even be worse. Yes some can be more of a handful than others, but that's part of the package when you buy ferrets. Ferrets don't learn to not get into things, not dig, and not make messes. It's their nature. They are mischevious, intelligent, curious, energetic little brats. If they are bored, they are going to be particularly destructive. The more intelligent the ferret, the harder they are to keep entertained. There's a lot you can do though to keep her from getting bored as easily. The more you can keep her enriched and well exercised the happier she will be and the less destructive. Ferrets bond very tightly to their owners, and their cage mates. They are known to starve themselves to death of depression when separated from their bonded mate or even their bonded human (shelter shock). I really hope that you will reconsider and try making some changes before rehoming her. This thread has a lot of good tips on ferret proofing and on keeping mischevious ferrets entertained. Please read it, it should give you some ideas to help keep her occupied and out of trouble. www.holisticferret60.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=71
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Post by Thérèse on Apr 7, 2013 5:15:08 GMT -5
If she is really too much for you then yes do find her a home that will be more able to handle her antics. However do be sure it's not just a phase, with nearly all my guys I have had a point where they have driven me nuts and I feel like I have bitten off more than I can chew, usually a while after I have welcomed them home, long enough for them to feel comfortable and to test the limits and be very bratty, but then we get through it, they settle down and I can't believe I ever felt so overwhelmed by the newbie.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2013 22:42:52 GMT -5
I have another ferret, he's pretty chill and understands the word "no"
She throws fits when she doesn't get what she wants (weather it's going somewhere or getting a treat). She threw a fit for a half an hour the other day.
I finally managed to successfully keep her out of the kitchen, so we're getting along much better now. She's way smarter than Alfie and surprisingly strong for a little thing. So I had up my game.
I really do wish there was some way to communicate with her better.
I guess, if the right home comes along, I'd be okay just having one chill ferret. But she is happy (even if I'm sprouting gray hairs) and I don't want her to be unhappy.
It could be a phase, I didn't really think of that. I connected bratty behavior with her finally being healthy. I do love her, and I made it through Alfie's biting phase, maybe it's just a phase.
I think venting helped too. The last couple days have been easier. Getting her out if the kitchen took me instantly from "get this brat away from me" to "oh, maybe we'll be okay."
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Post by Deleted on Apr 8, 2013 22:47:01 GMT -5
I knew I had it easy with Alfie, I just didn't realize how easy...
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Post by Sherry on Apr 8, 2013 23:00:20 GMT -5
Quixotic- you do realize since you have two that the odds of them being bonded are exceedingly high? Vincent and Lucrezia never sought one another out for playtime or snuggling, but when he passed it took her several months to recover, and that was after she saw his body and wept over him. Literally and physically. You cannot separate these wee ones.
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Post by katt on Apr 9, 2013 5:36:23 GMT -5
Alfie is a very rare find then. A ferret who understands the word No is extremely common (I'd bet you money Galinda knows perfectly well what it means Most ferrets do), but a ferret who LISTENS to the word No is extremely rare. Mellow ferrets are the minority. While Galinda may be on the upper end of energy and intelligence (and therefore trouble), her behavior is typical ferret behavior. They throw tantrums and get into things and make messes and destroy stuff. That's just a part of owning ferrets. Owning ferrets is NOT for everyone. As much as I love my boys to death, I generally recommend that people do NOT buy them as pets. I tell the truth - that ferrets are the best pets I have ever owned and I cannot imagine my life without them now that they have stolen my heart, but they are a Ton of work, and a TON of money. They are destructive, they never stop getting into trouble, they always have several medical problems. The more intelligent the animal, the easier they get bored, and the more trouble they cause. The trouble making is part of the package. I hope that you are able to make peace with Galinda, but if you do decide to rehome her I urge you to rehome them together. Ferrets form EXCEPTIONALLY strong bonds. Having a pair means it is almost certain they are bonded - whether they act it or not. Just as Sherry said. We are talking about an animal that is known to grieve itself to Death after the loss of a cagemate or even their human. It would be unfair to separate them. I really do not want to come off as harsh, but if you can't find a way to deal with Galina, then perhaps ferrets are not the pet for you. As I said, they aren't for everyone, and her behavior is pretty typical ferret behavior. I do hope you can find a way around this situation. I know I have had many days that I have threatened to sell Koda to the furrier to be made into a nice pair of gloves. I also make regular threats that I am going to sew Kenai's bum shut. ;D They just make you want to rip your hair out some days! But I cannot imagine my life without them, they are my babies. I really urge you to read the Only Ferrets thread I linked. There's a lot of good info on keeping ferrets entertained that does not just apply to only ferrets. My Koda is a notorious troublemaker. I was really baptized through fire with him! The key to curbing the behavior is to keep them constantly enriched, and to ensure that they get enough ACTIVE playtime to tire them out. Get some foraging toys and set them up around the cage or room (whichever you keep them in). Fill them up randomly and rearrange them frequently so she has to find them and open every one to see which has treats that day. (Freeze dried bits or jerky work great for this). Rotate toys so they are always "new." Rearrange the cage and play area regularly. Build castles and mazes out of boxes, then change it up. Hide treats in the box castle/maze. Set up one or more dig boxes with differed things for them to dig in. Take them on walks outside. Leave bedding outside overnight or rub it on your dog/cat to pick up new smells for them to investigate. And make sure they get out of cage time every day, and time with you actively engaging them in play every day. Tire her out! Does she like teaser toys? Stand on the stairs if you have some and make her chase a teaser up and down the stairs. Play tag or towel chase. Get a playpen and let them play (supervised) outside for a while. Let them into a usually "off limits" area (such as the kitchen) with close supervision and chase them around as they go nuts dancing around and enjoying being "naughty" for being in the off-limits space and investigating the "new" (aka they haven't seen it all day ;D ) space and smells. The keys are mental enrichment and exercise! Also, it may help you to start doing a bonding massage with her once a day. I'll have to post the link later or perhaps someone else can, I'm on my phone, but it will help you build a better bond with her and vice versa.
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