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Post by Feeeerreeets on Jul 26, 2013 4:01:34 GMT -5
I've been reading so many different reviews and ideas on ferret biting. I have a little baby who's almost three months old. I'm trying to be patient with her and following all the rules of how to train them not to bite. Does anyone know about how long it might take for them to fully stop? I keep having thoughts of it not getting better and it makes me nervous. Bad to the point that my parents want me to return her. :(
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 6:43:48 GMT -5
That is 100% normal! When I first got my ferret I thought the same thing. Baby ferrets bite, because thats their way of playing. They look at you as another ferret. Ferrets have thicker skin then us humans do, so when one ferret bites another ferret, it doesn't normally hurt the ferret that got bit. What are the "rules" that you've been following? When she bites, she doesn't break the skin does she? Baby ferrets biting is completely normal, and common. How long have you had her?
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Post by Sherry on Jul 26, 2013 8:43:34 GMT -5
Best way to get a baby ferret to quit biting is to use a combination of "time outs" and "ignore". And to use these consistently. Hopping from one method to another will only confuse him. If you two are playing and he bites too hard, literally get up and walk away. All play and interaction stop. If he can hear, also give a sharp, loud "ouch", or "yip". That tells him it hurt you. That method used consistently will work fairly quickly for the too hard play bites. If you are handling him and he bites, or chases you and bites when you walk away, give him a 3 minute time out in a small empty cat carrier. No more than 3 minutes otherwise he'll forget why he's in there. When he comes back out if he has a bit of a hissy fit and bites again in temper then he goes right back in for another 3 minutes. Some days it's going to seem like he's in time out more than he's out of it, but it WILL work. Just depends on how stubborn he is  . And don't forget- he has no idea how tender human skin is compared to a ferret's skin. What would be a play bite for them to encourage play with each other may well break our skin. So you are slowly teaching him to be gentle. |
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Post by Feeeerreeets on Jul 26, 2013 16:17:41 GMT -5
That is 100% normal! When I first got my ferret I thought the same thing. Baby ferrets bite, because thats their way of playing. They look at you as another ferret. Ferrets have thicker skin then us humans do, so when one ferret bites another ferret, it doesn't normally hurt the ferret that got bit. What are the "rules" that you've been following? When she bites, she doesn't break the skin does she? Baby ferrets biting is completely normal, and common. How long have you had her? I've only had her for less than a week, that's why I don't want to give up so easily. Basically what I've been doing is holding the back of her neck like a mom, and telling her NO. If that doesn't work, I use the drag technique. If that doesn't work, I'll do the bite hold and wait till she calms down...and she usually yawns. |
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Post by Feeeerreeets on Jul 26, 2013 16:18:41 GMT -5
Best way to get a baby ferret to quit biting is to use a combination of "time outs" and "ignore". And to use these consistently. Hopping from one method to another will only confuse him. If you two are playing and he bites too hard, literally get up and walk away. All play and interaction stop. If he can hear, also give a sharp, loud "ouch", or "yip". That tells him it hurt you. That method used consistently will work fairly quickly for the too hard play bites. If you are handling him and he bites, or chases you and bites when you walk away, give him a 3 minute time out in a small empty cat carrier. No more than 3 minutes otherwise he'll forget why he's in there. When he comes back out if he has a bit of a hissy fit and bites again in temper then he goes right back in for another 3 minutes. Some days it's going to seem like he's in time out more than he's out of it, but it WILL work. Just depends on how stubborn he is (rofl) . And don't forget- he has no idea how tender human skin is compared to a ferret's skin. What would be a play bite for them to encourage play with each other may well break our skin. So you are slowly teaching him to be gentle. Ah thank you! I'll give that a go too. :) |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 19:29:12 GMT -5
I hope you won't give up on her. She's a baby, and its a big scary world. Plus she wants to play with you, and only knows one way to invite you to play. I'm sorry your parents don't quite understand her yet, maybe the more you learn about her, the more understanding they will be. Spend alot of time of the floor with her, redirect her biting towards you by dragging a towel or blanket and let her jump on it. wiggle a toy on a string and let her grab it, put a towel in the tub with some toys and let her play a little while you watch and talk to her. The more time you spend with her, feeding her and bonding with her, the more she will know you and trust you. Then you will be her mom (or dad?) and she won't bite her mom, like she would a playmate. She'll learn and you'll have so much fun.
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Post by Sherry on Jul 27, 2013 10:28:48 GMT -5
What ever you do- pick just ONE method and stick with that.
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Post by Heather on Jul 27, 2013 14:37:58 GMT -5
Might I suggest you do not scruff and drag. Even mom fuzz stops treating her little ones in this method and it's only used by ferrets showing dominance or between hobs and their jills. I've seen many little ones who react violently to this method and do not advocate using this. If you must scruff and hiss do so but don't drag, it's unnecessary and in a more dominant ferret will result in a nasty retaliation. I second Sherry's advice, once you choose a method stick to it....don't switch back and forth, this will only confuse your little one
ciao
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