When it is time to discipline a ferret, there are many things you must understand about ferrets’ nature and breed. Furthermore, you need to train them in more ways than you might first imagine.
Build Up Trust With Your Ferret
So, first, let’s start by building up the trust because first-time ferret ownership has its woes. A pet ferret doesn’t know to listen to you or obey your orders. He is in his own world, and he believes you are just a random person trying to irritate or attack him.
If you are going to adopt a ferret, our advice is to adapt them at an early age.
When you adopt them at an early age, it becomes easy to build up trust with them. They build a strong bond with you and can be easily trained as well.
Instead of ordering them straight away, give them a lot of attention and love. Ferrets are intelligent creatures; they perceive when you shower them with affection. This helps them trust you and learn from you quickly.
When you treat them with love, they become comfortable in your presence.
Learn more about the ferret love language here.
Teach Them Some Basic Tricks
They are inquisitive animals, that’s why teaching them some basic tricks is rather easy.
Simple tricks like sitting, shaking paws, or running on command are pretty easy to understand for a ferret. For that reason, start teaching these things in the beginning.
Most people jump straight to the tough training; they try to teach complex tricks without creating any kind of bond with their ferret.
This never works, because ferrets never learn anything from you if they don’t trust you. Therefore, build trust with them and then opt for simple tricks first.
No matter what you are teaching them, just make sure you have some treat on your hands. When they, even accidentally, do the trick you want, shake their paw and give them the treat. Associate the treat or affection with that specific trick (action).
Punish For Bad Behavior
Punishing your ferret for bad behavior can be quite challenging.
I know no one wants to punish their beautiful pet, but if you won’t punish them for teaching some discipline, they will keep on showing their bad behavior.
Here we aren’t talking about punishing them severely. Just a short round of punishment is enough for them to comprehend that you don’t like their certain acts. Bear in mind, the punishment is only for bad behavior; you can’t punish them if they are doing something by mistake or hurt themselves during their playtime.
For example, if they dig at the carpeting and destroy your expensive belongings, you need to punish them a little to prevent their destructive behavior.
The punishment can be as simple as putting them inside the cage when their other friends are playing outside, using the word ‘No’, or clapping your hands to create a loud sound. These types of actions will help them perceive their action as undesirable.
Calling Out Your Ferret By Name
Ferrets love to hear their name.
It is a sign for them that you are inviting them for some toy or treat. For that reason, use their names often to teach them some discipline when they run towards you to get the treat.
You can use this trick to discipline your pet ferret in multiple ways.
For example, make noise with some squishy toy and call their name with affection when they do something good. Similarly, if they are doing something undesirable or showing their destructive habit, call their name with an angry voice.
The tone of your voice can discipline them a lot more than you can imagine.
Disciplining A Ferret – FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about disciplining a ferret.
1 – What is the ‘Time Out Method’ for disciplining a ferret?
The time-out method is an old-age practice that is used to discipline pets. It is a form of punishment in which you separate the ferret from you and other pets by putting them inside the cage. You do that right after their bad behavior to make them understand that they have done something wrong. However, the time-out method should be limited to a few minutes only. Do not torture your pet by separating it from its friends for days.
2 – What is Scruffing?
We use the Scruffing technique to calm down a ferret or prevent them from bad behavior. It is a form of light punishment in which you hold them by the nape of their neck and scold them when they do something wrong. The good thing about Scruffing method is it doesn’t hurt them, but at the same time, it disciplines them. It is a mother-like scolding method.
3 – Is there any method that you shouldn’t use to discipline a ferret?
Yes, there are a few methods that you shouldn’t use to discipline a ferret. For example, some people hit their ferret on the face when they don’t do something according to their wish. The face of a ferret is sensitive, and this type of physical hitting on the face can hurt their eyes. Ferrets already deal with blindness issues a lot. This type of hitting will make them afraid and won’t let them be curious, playful creatures, which is the core of their nature.
Never do anything that physically abuses them.
They don’t deserve to be hurt for their actions; don’t treat them like a growing child. They are super sensitive and you should use positive reinforcement instead (which is a type of behavioral psychology) to change their behavior.
Conclusion
You can’t discipline a ferret within a day. It takes a lot of time and effort.
Keep on using these above tips so that your pet understands the pattern and commands. Once they get their certain actions are causing trouble for them, ferrets keep up the good behavior and listen to your commands.
But, to keep them on track, don’t forget to give them the treats. When they know you reward them for good actions, they keep on doing that or perform those tricks over and over again that keeps you happy.