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Post by melcab on Jun 24, 2011 16:50:08 GMT -5
Yet another question from this noob for ya... When my fuzzies have their out of cage time it is in the kitchen because it is the only room in my house that doesn't have a hole in either the wall or the floor  plus the tile is easy to clean. The only problem is there are two doorways with no doors leading to other rooms of the house that are not suitable and we have to guard them closely while they are out because baby gates would not make a tight enough seal to keep them in. Often they like to go behind (and even under) the fridge and full size freezer and microwave cart. I'd LIKE to get them collars with bells on them so I can keep better track of them (or maybe I could put their harnesses on and add bells to them) but I am concerned that they might get caught up on something and get strangled  or maybe that the bells might be a choking hazard. I do supervise them the whole time they are out, but I can't see what they are doing behind or under the fridge/furniture. What are all your thoughts on this? Am I being paranoid? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2011 17:28:29 GMT -5
A few years back, my brother kept choke collars on his dogs at all times (imo choke collars are barbaric, but there was little convincing him). They are min-pins. One of them got up onto the kitchen table and tried to jump onto the window sill, but fell, and the collar caught on the cords to the blinds. The dog is lucky my sister-in-law got home shortly after that because the dog would have died. That was scary and since then.. I just struggle with the idea of collars.  I did try them on my fuzz, though.. I had a very difficult time getting my kids to keep their collars on. They would actually help each other get them off, and then stash them somewhere or chew on them. I didn't stick with it. Too scary.  If you are looking to put a bell on them, I would have to suggest a harness.. and even then.. |
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Post by melcab on Jun 24, 2011 17:39:54 GMT -5
Well, a choke collar is named for what it does and especially is not necessary for a min-pin! (nor any other dog, but especially not a toy) The harnesses would only be put on when they are out of the cage just so I knew where they were and would never be unsupervised with them on, but of course I want them to be safe.
If I hear enough horror stories and not enough success stories, then I will completely trash the idea. And of course their individual behavior towards the harness/bells will be noted. It is just one idea to solve a problem which is to be able to hear them when we can't see them lol.
Thanks for your input, Katirhi!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2011 17:43:50 GMT -5
I used to use them. They got lost too often and I got tired of buying them ;D Plus they don't help you find a snoozing fuzz. |
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Post by melcab on Jun 24, 2011 19:15:57 GMT -5
True. They need an alarm system that is remote triggered like your car  Did THEY lose the collars, as in they came off during play or did you misplace them? |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 24, 2011 19:28:30 GMT -5
Yet another question from this noob for ya... When my fuzzies have their out of cage time it is in the kitchen because it is the only room in my house that doesn't have a hole in either the wall or the floor plus the tile is easy to clean. The only problem is there are two doorways with no doors leading to other rooms of the house that are not suitable and we have to guard them closely while they are out because baby gates would not make a tight enough seal to keep them in. Often they like to go behind (and even under) the fridge and full size freezer and microwave cart. I'd LIKE to get them collars with bells on them so I can keep better track of them (or maybe I could put their harnesses on and add bells to them) but I am concerned that they might get caught up on something and get strangled or maybe that the bells might be a choking hazard. I do supervise them the whole time they are out, but I can't see what they are doing behind or under the fridge/furniture. What are all your thoughts on this? Am I being paranoid? I dont know if ur in an apartment situation or not, one issue I had in my old apartment is that my older male ferret, Mojito had an obsession with the frige. Luckily he couldnt get under it, he just went in the space beside it and there wasnt much hazard in there- if i hadnt been in an apartment I would've sealed it off. Your not being paranoid, I had a collar for Kahlua and it didnt fit her when I adopted her, when I got her healthier and it fit I put it on. It was a ferrents worse nightmare. She was playing with Mojito and I guess they must have loosened it enough to slip past her shoulders but it got stuck around her stomach and she was freaking out and screaming and so was I but she had her winter coat so I couldnt get to the clasp. Luckily my fiancee was home and was calm enough to think, he cut the collar off of her and she was fine. I will never use them again, no matter what. I have harnesses but I only put them on when were going outside, there are just too much danger. I think any collar or harness could totally get stuck on something while they are in an unreachable area and even if it doesnt strangle your babies it may make them stuck in a place that they cant get free from and you cant get to. That would be horrible. Edit: Oh I just 'membered something that might help... as long as your fuzz arent deaf Have you ever played with ur fuzz with a squeeky toy? Kahlua has always been spectacular for finding the weirdest hiding places and falling asleep in them... I was at a loss- the collar didnt work obv but one day we noticed that while playing with Tequila (our chihuahua) and his favorite squeeky- she would come running when she heard it. She would wake up and come out of her secret hiding places and come right up to us. We only used it in emergancy situations but it worked. Now we have a ferret room for them so we dont have to use it anymore, but it was a good learning experience to share |
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Post by Sherry on Jun 24, 2011 19:38:53 GMT -5
After 8 collars in two months for 3 ferrets, I gave up ;D
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Post by acodlin on Jun 24, 2011 19:48:47 GMT -5
I dont use collars, I'm too afraid they may get it hung on something and try to alligator roll and choke to death. |
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Post by melcab on Jun 24, 2011 20:01:58 GMT -5
okaaaay I think I have my answer. No collars lol. Shoulda just gone with my own instinct I guess. Trust your gut. Anyways, that's a good idea about the squeaker. I should try that. I've only had them for a couple of weeks. They used to just run around the kitchen when I let them out there and I sat and watched and interacted a little, but for the last two days I've noticed them coming up to me more.  Playing WITH me instead of just with each other while I watched. As soon as I can get some treats that they really like I'm going to try clicker training them. First teaching them their names. Yes there is a way to do this using the clicker, but first you have to teach them that a click means they are going to get a treat. Hopefully after that I might even be able to get them to come to me with their names. We'll see. But if the squeaky toy thing works that would be great. |
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Post by Heather on Jun 24, 2011 20:26:35 GMT -5
I've used clicker training with the fuzz...it works. Mad Max was the one that really picked up on it. I used it to teach him not to bite. I wasn't after any fancy tricks, just to get him to stop biting me when I picked him up.
ciao
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Post by Sherry on Jun 24, 2011 20:38:23 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2011 8:05:16 GMT -5
All 3 of mine respond to the same squeaky mouse. I have the sound recorded on my phone in case I can't find the physical mousey ;D They will wake up and come almost everytime I squeak it. They are about 95% on it. Sometimes they're sleeping too far away or too deeply (or too busy ;D) |
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Post by Sherry on Jun 25, 2011 10:00:59 GMT -5
Now THAT is an excellent idea ;D
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Post by ferretfreke on Jun 25, 2011 12:20:57 GMT -5
I highly recommend that you make it so they can't go under or behind the fridge or freezer too. These appliances have large fans that when they turn on could seriously injure your ferret. We use card board and duct tape to keep ours out of them with great success. It's not pretty but keeps the fuzzies safe.
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Post by Sherry on Jun 25, 2011 12:52:15 GMT -5
I've also duct taped a thin sheet of plywood to the fridge and floor when mine were allowed in there. It kept them out from behind, and in front.
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plus the tile is easy to clean. The only problem is there are two doorways with no doors leading to other rooms of the house that are not suitable and we have to guard them closely while they are out because baby gates would not make a tight enough seal to keep them in. 
Playing WITH me instead of just with each other while I watched. As soon as I can get some treats that they really like I'm going to try clicker training them. First teaching them their names. Yes there is a way to do this using the clicker, but first you have to teach them that a click means they are going to get a treat. Hopefully after that I might even be able to get them to come to me with their names. We'll see. But if the squeaky toy thing works that would be great.