Biting my fingers off!!
By SilentRose19
@SilentRose19 (1733)
United States
September 27, 2007 10:45am CST
I have a young ferret we just added to our little family thats about 8 weeks old, and he won't stop trying to chew off my fingers. He does a sort of a grab and twist, and it hurts so bad.
I really would like some opinions on what I should do here, I really don't know how to get him to stop biting. We have a 7 month old ferret that has never ever had a problem with biting, so i'm lost here. Is there anyone out there willing to lend a hand in some ferret training here?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ctrymuziklvr (11057)
• United States
28 Sep 07
I recently had 3 ferrets that I raised from babies and only had a problem like you when they were only weeks old. The way I stopped them from biting was to grab their little nose when they did it. Not in a mean way and not hurting them but playfully but sternfully telling them no. It worked for me. You are so lucky to have them and if you ever need any advice with them let me know.
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
28 Sep 07
Thank you very much that was so helpful, the ferret isn't biting as much now. Thanks again.
@ChordsofLife (31)
• United States
1 Oct 07
+1.
There are two ways you can go about training them.
#1: What he said. They'll learn your tone, and the don't like it when their noses are touched.
#2: Pick them up by their neck skin (feels mean but its a-ok until their older). He'll start yawning and seem to go to sleep, but he's all there. Give his nose a light tap with a stern no like above.
As mentioned, it seems mean, but its not at all. The second you put them down they go right back to bouncing around. I've owned and trained 4, and my friend owned and trained 14, and they all were happy, healthy, and bite free.
1 person likes this
@bizmom (515)
• United States
27 Sep 07
We have some friends who have ferrets and ME! NO WAY!
just cant have pets period but what i suggest u do now and before u got the feret is go on line and get urself familure with them everything! :)
And from what it sounds like - ( with most animals young anyway) he/she is teething! maybe some rubber or (ferret friendly) toys for him/her to chew on! lol
or those teething rings u can find for babies! :) LOL
COULD HELP! lol :)
but as i said maybe going on line to find out more about them from birth to adult :)
GOOD LUCK! :)
:) XX
1 person likes this
@Vieiragirl (109)
• United States
27 Sep 07
never owned a ferret. I know puppies try to do that too. Try to get it to pay attention to things it can chew. Make sure you alway reinforce the bitting behavior and then give it something they can chew on. I know that puppies will grow out of it and I think the ferret will too. I would do some research on ferret care but just keep at it. I am sure you will keep your fingers.
@SilentRose19 (1733)
• United States
28 Sep 07
Well he likes to chew on fabrics and my fingers, thats jsut about it. I've tried just thumping him on the nose when he does it, but then he just goes at it again. I had a friend tell me that they have some kind of spray that you can get to detor them from biting you and other things.
@690257086 (3)
•
28 Sep 07
Hi, welcome to the world of ferrets! I have two male ferrets. I got them when they were very young.
The good news is that they are easy to nip train. When the ferret gets a hold of your finger slide your finger gently to to back of it's mouth. This causes a gag reflex which they hate. Tell everyone who is involved with your ferrets to do the same. It took around one week for mine to be completely nip trained using this method.
Better still is to approach the ferret with your hand sideways on....you'll find it easier to move your hand or finger(also sideways), to the rear of the mouth.
I hope that helps.
Mine have never once nipped since....they're both now kissable and huggable!
It's important that you don't try to train them with gloves on (unfortunately!), because they'll only learn that the glove is the gagger and not your hand!
You will then be able to really enjoy your ferret....they are fast, entertaining and funny little creatures who stay playful for the whole of their lives.
Good luck!
