How to Train Ferrets - Tips to Stop a Ferrets Biting

Admirable pets with abounding energy, ferrets are habitual nippers. A Ferret bite is painful as is its habit. Ferrets bite by habit and mostly when they are playful with their peers. So, once you acquire a pet ferret you need to train these little fellows quickly. Be patient with them as you would with any puppy and use a firm but gentle method to train them. If you are tired of ferrets biting you, follow these tips to train them.

Before you commence with training your pet ferret, determine why it bites. Perhaps the pet is injured and the wound has not healed yet. So when you cuddle, you could be disturbing the wound. And every time you pick him up, he bites to get free. Your quick reaction to free him makes the ferret to realize that if he bites, he can free himself.

Another reason your ferret could bite is when the environment is unsuitable and has nicotine smells, dust or alcohol smells which might irritate the pet. Furthermore, confining the ferret can be frustrating to their playful attitude, which they may vent through biting.

Stay firm and signal your pet a staunch `NO` when he bites. If he still bites, leave him and walk away from him. He will sense your resentment to biting and understand biting is not being tolerated. Resume playing when he calms down. Repeating this process will make him understand that he should not bite. If he does not reciprocate, put him in a cage whenever he bites and let him out only when he calms down. Repeat this process every time you get nipped. Since ferrets do not like being caged, he will respond.

As has been advised in the beginning, you need to be extremely patient in dealing with your pet ferret. If he does not respond soon, you may have to be more aggressive with him. Pick him up by the neck, nudge him, shake him, and call out a firm NO. A light tap on his nose will also help him understand. According to experts, you can spray a bitter tasting spray on the paws to discourage ferrets biting.

Finally, it is your love and commitments towards you ferret that will bring out an appropriate response. And do not forget to reward your pet with his favorite food every time that he obeys.