Paul in North Lincs. Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 How do I stop my ferret from nipping?? She's just under a year old, and is one of the keenest workers I have ever had. Once in the hand she's fine. But given the oppotunity, she take a chunk!!!!! Paul in North Lincs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon78 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 When I kept ferrets, if I had a problem with one nipping, I would offer it the knuckles of my fist first, which are difficult for ferrets to actually get a grip of. This allows them to get to know what a human smells like, and hopefully to teach them that we are not 'meat'. Also a light 'tap' (and i do mean light) tap on the nose when they bite often very quickly discourages them from trying it. In general the more you can handle them, the better they will get; and it goes without saying that you dont want 'em biting whilst you're working them! Thats my way any way. Im sure there are some other interesting ideas, also. Happy rabbitting/ratting Jon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Offering the closed fist so that they "recognise" you, does work. Think before you pick her up . Are you being hesitant (which is understandable, if you expect to get nipped) ? She is probably nipping as she is nervous. Imagine you are the size of a ferret and this great big hand keeps lunging at you, it might make you nip it. Pick them up quickly (don't snatch, or squeeze) and confidently and stroke them as soon as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicky Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 One of my new ones is a bit nippy. I've tried all the above and found she only does it in an unrecognisable place. So i guess for her it's a confidence thing. Im now taking her places with me like the shed and car so it's new for her. I'll then handle her to reasure her. Seems to be working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Crouch down to her and wait for to check you out, then pick her up confidently in one steady move, holding her across the back of the shoulders so she cant get a bite in. Keep your eye on her and fuss her around the neck and chin, if she goes for a nip draw your hand away and say NO in a sharp tone.... then fuss her some more, if she goes for another nip do the same and give a short blow (That is blow air from your mouth, Not a punch!) in her face as if you were blowing a pea shooter. if she still carries on, give her a 5 min "time out" in a carry box or similar on her own. she will soon get the Idea, all mine have and many many more at the rescue centre all treated the same. Remember that people have different ideas about what is a "light Tap" so Please Do Not start hitting your ferret. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old rooster Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Remember that people have different ideas about what is a "light Tap" so Please Do Not start hitting your ferret. Agree with what Vermin Dropper has said but would add that having had a few nippy ferrets to cure in the past I find the nose pinch to be most effective, NEVER whack them or "tap" them. As VD and Cranfield say you need to show that you are going to pick them up rather than dithering about, once you've picked them up give them a bit of a stroke etc. and if the try to nip say NO! and at the same time pinch the nose, not too forcefully, if their eyes start to water you've gone way over the top. It's always worked for me and a carrot will get better results with most critters than a stick !!!. Another little tip: if going to pick up a ferret you don't know I always make a fist and offer it the back of my hand to smell, if it trys to latch on to you it won't get a bite into the stretched skin on the back of your hand. If a ferret ever truly bites you it will prove to be a very painful experience !! they take some getting off and if they've gone as far as biting you hard in the first place they are likely to get another grip if you once get them loose. Good luck with the training, there is no subsitute for regular handling IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul in North Lincs. Posted March 3, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Thanks for the advise everyone Paul in North Lincs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferretmanabu Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 Show them the knucles of one hand first so that they have a bit of a sniff around that hand. Whilst they are doing this, gently pick them up with the other hand. Another thing to remember if you are working them is that when they are at the entrance of a rabbit hole, don't pick them up until they are fully out. Again, show them the knuckles of one hand so that they fully come out of the and then pick them up. This stops them getting the habit of running back down the hole as soon as they see you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vermin Dropper Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 This stops them getting the habit of running back down the hole as soon as they see you. I have this problem with a couple of mine, It does your bloody head in once they start it, I started using Ferretone on my fingers to lure them out, or a dead rabbit, seemed to be working, will carry on with training and see how they are next season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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