Ferret Training Silver Spring MD

Ferrets can be a very enjoyable pet. They have great personalities, are very personable, and get along good with many other animals. There are a few things you can train your ferret to do. A ferret is much like a dog/cat mix. They can be trained simple commands and can also be litter trained.

"Not nipping" should be one of the first things to teach your ferret. Like when training a dog, develop a word that you will use to discipline your ferret, like no. There are two good ways to discipline your ferret. The first way is time out. If you ferret nips you, say no and then put the ferret in time out for one to two minutes. Eventually, the ferret will put nipping with no with time out. The second way to train your ferret not to nip is called scruffing. This is similar to what ferrets do in the wild to show dominance. Basically you are showing your ferret that you are the dominant ferret. If you ferret nips you, say no and gently scruff your ferret. To scruff your ferret, you gently grab him by his scruff, nap of the neck, and drag him backwards, slowly, three to four inches. This will teach your ferret you are the dominant ferret.

"Litter Training" is another important thing you should teach your ferret. When ferrets are young and with their mom, they are taught to back up to their bathroom in the corner. When first teaching your ferret litter training, start with cat litter and put some of the ferrets' droppings in the littler. This will put your ferrets scent in the litter box and let him know where he is supposed to go to the bathroom. Make sure and put the litter box in the corner of his cage. Make sure and clean the littler regularly, but leave some droppings in the litter box to reinforce this is where the ferret should go to the bathroom. If your ferret is making messes while you have him or her out of their cage, make sure your ferret has gone to the bathroom before you let him or her out. When you see your ferret using his litter box, reward him with treats and praise.

Ferrets can also be trained to do simple commands. To teach your ferret simple tricks takes patients and creativity. One of the first simple commands to teach a ferret should be to come when called. Giving your ferret a treat every time he or she comes when called can do this. This will solve the problem of tracking down your ferret when it is time for him or her to go back to his or her cage. Other simple commands can be "Dinner Time". Every time you feed your ferret refer to the feeding as dinner time. Eventually, the ferret will go running to their food bowl when you say dinner time. Other simple commands can be begging for treats or dancing for treats.

When training your ferret be sure to have patients. Be creative when deciding what you want to teach your ferret to do. They are very smart and readily trainable. Make sure to reinforce the behavior you want with treats and praise.

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