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Post by kristin on May 18, 2011 16:04:38 GMT -5
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Post by Sherry on May 18, 2011 21:17:11 GMT -5
Just wish that could work with older ferrets Unfortunately, by the time they are 2 or 3 years old, they won't even let you touch them anymore.
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Post by shilohismygirl on May 19, 2011 6:42:28 GMT -5
Keep putting him back in that time out cage. If he bites, you have to put him right back in. You've made progress with him, but in this respect, he has to see that he can bite and throw fits till he's blue in the face to no avail. The protocol is the same for deafies, I think.
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Post by kristin on May 19, 2011 10:22:54 GMT -5
Just wish that could work with older ferrets Unfortunately, by the time they are 2 or 3 years old, they won't even let you touch them anymore. I'm pretty lucky to be working on a wee little one that hasn't developed too many opinions yet.
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Post by Heather on May 19, 2011 13:24:57 GMT -5
I agree. There is a big difference between a biter at a year even to a biter like the babies. My rescue biters have baggage they have to work through, usually having been nose flicked or actually smacked around. I found that Minion is responding really well to just being snuggled and handled a lot. I scruff him occasionally but it's not a scruff really, rather like I'm going to trim your toenails type scruff. I just lay him along my arm, it's more a redirection of teeth by using his scruff. I just tell him no, and then give him a fuzzy message (which he's really starting to like). He wiggles and then gets this stupid look on his face and goes totally limp. He still doesn't like me to massage his throat, he thinks that's a game and tries to bite me again. I did get to rub the bridge of his nose today without him trying to bite me. I got a kiss today ....I couldn't believe it. I was going to pull my face away because the last time I let him near me like that he bit my lip (which of course bled for a long time, I should have known better ) I can now pick him up on the fly, he turns to bite and sometimes I feel teeth but he's not broken the skin in a few days....bonus. ciao
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 13:27:09 GMT -5
That is such amazing progress! Those first kisses are so very special
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Post by kristin on May 19, 2011 13:29:04 GMT -5
I found that Minion is responding really well to just being snuggled and handled a lot. I scruff him occasionally but it's not a scruff really, rather like I'm going to trim your toenails type scruff. I just lay him along my arm, it's more a redirection of teeth by using his scruff. I just tell him no, and then give him a fuzzy message (which he's really starting to like). I can now pick him up on the fly, he turns to bite and sometimes I feel teeth but he's not broken the skin in a few days....bonus. That's totally where I'm at, too! It's such a relief to see Tater responding to the ferret massage and "redirection" of teeth. He hasn't broken the skin in a couple of days. I've been picking him up (getting his attention first) and he grabs my hand instinctively, but not hard. He's definitely learning bite inhibition. And I can tell he's going to be a total lover -- he absolutely adores me (which is weird because he spent so much time making me bleed!! ) He's so excited every time I come in the room and always climbs up into my lap.
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Post by Heather on May 19, 2011 14:41:32 GMT -5
That is so awesome. Those breakthroughs are so cherished. We take those gifts to heart. I think Minion is going to be a snuggler too. Baby ferrets they're so squishy ;D ;D ;D
ciao
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Post by kristin on May 19, 2011 15:04:14 GMT -5
It was a bit of torture in the very beginning because he is SO FREAKING CUTE!!! and I wanted to cuddle him. I mean, he's just crazy cute. I'm such a sucker for those silvers and whites. Little pink nose. Too much to bear sometimes.
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Post by shilohismygirl on May 19, 2011 17:45:59 GMT -5
Oh, I feel silly. I thought I had read all the responses, and so I thought my advice was pertinent at the time-but no-you're not using time outs. I like your method a lot, and if you're seeing success, amazing! You're doing a great job!
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Post by Heather on May 19, 2011 21:24:24 GMT -5
Time outs work, don't get it wrong. Unfortunately, these are baby fuzzes. We've adapted the time out for them. Older ferrets, even a year or more, the time out cage works the best. These little ones are starved for love, they were taken away from mom and they're just lashing out. The older ones have gone beyond this and probably only know violence. They've learned to attack. I'm sure that you can adapt these to accommodate the older fuzzes. I know that Fun-Go would have never responded to this when I first got him. He's responding to it now but he would not have when I first brought him in. ciao
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Post by shilohismygirl on May 19, 2011 22:11:59 GMT -5
Yes, after reading all the responses I realized what was going on. I think I thought I had read em' all after page two so I was out of the loop and wanted to make sure that Kristin knew I wasn't ignoring everything she said and make her think I didn't agree-I do! For younguns' this does sound like a good plan, for sure because little babies like him that get taken away from mama early haven't yet learned manners and are starved for attention. <3 Poor little babies!
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Post by kristin on May 23, 2011 12:08:00 GMT -5
No worries - I appreciate all the input! The time-outs definitely work for adolescent and older ferrets in my experience. I just felt like this little guy was too scared and little to get it. I don't think he wants his name to be Tater, despite my BF's coaching. I'm pretty sure he told me it's "Wylie." And every day, the V on his head is becoming more W-like. Also, he's totally over the biting thing. He hasn't bitten me in at least 5 days. Yesterday I carried him around the house and he was fine. And then my boyfriend picked him up and gave him some love and he didn't bite him either. He seems to be settling down quite a bit. He's playing more. And getting quite the little Buddha-belly! He's doubled in size since we got him. He's already bigger than Cricket. I think he's going to be a bruiser. And totally, completely, adorable!! Thanks to everyone for your help and support. When I see a little progress I know I can keep at it. And I'm seeing a lot of progress!
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Post by Sherry on May 23, 2011 12:43:47 GMT -5
Oh, that's amazing I'm so glad he's turning around the way he is
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 13:43:47 GMT -5
Congratulations! Patience & work go a long way, and I'm so glad that it's paying off for you!
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