Ferret Training
Is Ferret Training Realistic?
When we speak of ferret training, the subject isn't really about teaching the ferret to do tricks, although you can try and do that also. Training often involves taking advantage of things a ferret will do naturally, and gradually train it do go through specific movements or motions on command. It can be done.
First things first however. There are at least three areas of ferret training well worth focusing on. Doing tricks can come later. These three areas involve nipping or biting, potty training, and coming on command, and all three are important.
Ferrets as a rule are affectionate and sociable animals, and do not bite. The exception is with the young ferrets, the kits. Nipping is a natural instinct the kits have, and is usually meant as an invitation to play. They nip one another all the time when playing. So do horses, and you sure don't want to be nipped by a horse! If one nips you say "No!" and grab it (gently) by the scruff of the neck. This, in ferret language, tells it that you are the dominant ferret, and it is not to mess with you. You may have to do this more than once, but the lesson will eventually set in. You can also put something bad tasting on your finger if the habit persists, but holding the kit by the scruff of the neck usually does the job.
Potty training is also important, unless you don't mind following your friend around to clean up its messes. The first step is to have a litter box in the cage. The ferret will soon begin to use it, and will almost always use it a few minutes after waking up. So one rule is, don't let a ferret out of its cage immediately after waking it up. Give it 10 or 15 minutes, and it will do its business. It's a good idea to customize a litter box by cutting away one edge. Ferrets like to back up when its time to do their business, rather than hopping into a box. Ferrets naturally prefer to do their business in a corner, and back into the corner, so you can use this information in designing and placing a litter box. You might start with several litter boxes, until the ferret settles on one or two favorites. Once it's done that, it will likely go to those locations all the time.
A third important element in ferret training is teaching the ferret to come on command. This is not a trick, but may save your pet's life. If a ferret is allowed to stray away (outdoors) it may not come back on its own. In fact it probably will not, as ferrets do not have a homing instinct. So you'll need to train it to respond to either a voice command or a noise maker, such as a squeaky toy, that it will recognize. Training a ferret to do something takes time, and plenty of patience. You have to teach them one step at a time. Throw too much at them at one time and they won't know what you are expecting of them. Also give them rewards when they're doing something right. Ferrets will learn the meanings of words and phrases, at least of the sounds, and over time you can train them to do certain things (like coming on command) through the use of words. Besides taking time and patience, ferret training is probably going to provide you with more than your fair share of entertainment.