Nipping

A ferret which has been well treated and bred to be a pet should not bite or be vicious.

However, ferret play does include mock combat and kits need to be taught how hard they can grasp you with their teeth without causing harm.

Ferrets are not malicious, they just need to be taught what behavior is acceptable, just like puppies and kittens. Most baby ferrets can be successfully nip trained within a few weeks; whereas older ferrets which have never been nip trained may take a little longer.

You may come across a ferret that has been abused, or is from an unscrupulous breeder, that will bite severely. Be prepared to spend extra time with a biting ferret since it requires more time and patience to break this habit. When in doubt, ask for advice from more experienced ferret owners. In all cases, positive reinforcement works much better than punishment.

Avoid nose flicking or any corporal punishment, since the ferret will learn to associate you with pain. When training a very young ferret not to bite, grasp under the jaw and squeeze slightly while your finger is still in its mouth. This is unpleasant for the ferret and it will quickly learn not to grab you. Remember to be careful not to hurt the ferret when you are doing this.

In the case of an older ferret, try using a signal he already understands, such as a high-pitched yelp, followed by a loud NO! Giving time out in a small cage, such as a carrier (not his sleeping cage) and ignoring it for a few minutes may also help.

You can also scruff the ferret and firmly say NO! Covering your body part in bitter apple or bitter lime may also discourage him, and it tastes awful to most ferrets. The most important thing to remember is that you want the ferret to learn to trust you, not to be afraid of you. Lots of loving and praise are good training tools.