Ferret on my shoulder

[lumboo]

So, I have had the kits for 5 days now, and was thinking to start training them to be confident to climb on my shoulder, so that if we are ever outside and they sense danger, they could climb up for safety.

I anticipated this would take a few months before they were happy enough to do this, but this morning Banjo started climbing up my leg and then resting on my shoulder. He wasn't spooked about the height, or when I slowly moved around. I was more afraid than him, because they are not fully nip trained and I thought 'I'm going to get him latched on to my ear or face - eek!'

Surprisingly he not claw into me, he didn't nip either, not even when I gently took him from my shoulder and back into my hands.

Banjo is more nippy then Pepe, so I took this as a good sign.
I might try and put him off the shoulder climbing though until I am fully confident he won't startle and bite me.
I rather like my face without teeth marks lol

However, I wanted to share the progress and settling in with you all, because it made me really happy, even though it is still early days.

I also wanted to share the fact that on Day #1 Banjo was so cautious and nippy, and now he comes running to me/or wakes up especially when I say hello and is happy to be held. He also seems to have realised that I won't put him down just because he asks, and will sit it out in my hands whilst I praise him. Pepe is far more chilled and happy to be held, so I just continue to praise him.

I also bought a rope toy for Banjo, so if he does get nippy, I can use the rope toy instead of him wanting my hand/fingers.

They are just so super clever, as I leave the hutch door open, and they wander around the garden at leisure. They dig in the flower beds, jump around in the puddles (we have had a lot of rain in the UK!), chase each other, play football and then go back to their hutch rest area when they have had enough.

I have not even needed to give treats so far. They just seem to want to behave because I am "Bringer of Food" and "Door Keeper" lol

Now, I just have to get them to stop wanting my socks WHILST I am still wearing them!!!

[unclejoe]

Haha, socks. It sounds like you are having great fun together and they are adapting well to their new home.

[lumboo]

Back at Base Camp

[unclejoe]

Very nice! beware ferrets and potted plants! Yours have access to the garden so it my not be a problem. I would like to provide a dirt digging pool for ours but I'm afrais the kats would use it for a litter box

[Charlie]

Sounds like your ferrets are already well behaved!! They seem very comfortable with you already too!! The breeder must have spent quite a bit of time with them socializing them. Boys tend to be a bit more mellow then girls but as kits they are very playful. Love all the pictures of Banjo and Pepe playing in the garden!!! If you keep up with a routine, the ferrets will catch on quickly. They bring so much joy, don't they?

[okojosan]

They are sooo cute. I bet they will have a wonderful life with you. It looks like they are having a blast running through the garden.

[eclipso]

Yeah, they look really happy to be there with you. You're doing a great job with them!

[lumboo]

Aug 6, 2021 16:22:31 GMT -5 unclejoe said:

Very nice! beware ferrets and potted plants! Yours have access to the garden so it my not be a problem. I would like to provide a dirt digging pool for ours but I'm afrais the kats would use it for a litter box

There are only a few pots in the garden where digging might damage the plants, so I've placed white pebbles around the base of the plants which are too heavy for the boys to dig up. As there are plenty of other areas to dig, they've been happily diverted elsewhere

Our cats usually go inside to use their litter tray or else use their outdoor hooded litter tray, so at least I know the ferrets won't dig up anything unwanted lol

Pleasantly surprised at how well they use their litter trays in the hutch I have to admit. They weren't trained to use them with the breeder and he thought they might just sleep in the trays. They were intelligent enough to figure lino is walking space and litter tray is best for toilet.

Today I gave them a small splash pool to play in. Banjo decided to tunnel underneath it and tipped water onto Pepe. Then Pepe did the same to Banjo. Not quite what I thought they'd do, but hey, they were happy lol

Rope toys have definitely diverted attention away from biting us and they haven't tried for two days, even when held without toys. They are also listening to the word 'No!' and responding. Maybe they really like hearing us say 'good boy' to them