answersLogoWhite

0

How do you train a ferret?

Updated: 10/8/2023
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Best Answer

I have learned from experience that if you arch over and hold a treat in your hand and raise the treat up your back, then the ferret will follow the treat up you back.

-------------------------------------------------

My ferrets are natural climbers and will climb up anyone who stands or sits still long enough no need for training

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

The key to training a ferret is being persistent and using repetition for short periods of time in an area free of distractions, and treats as rewards. Once they learn the trick, gradually take away the treat. Ferrets can learn to understand commands and phrases.

You should never hit a ferret for undesirable behavoir. Speaking with an authoritative voice, scruffing, and caging can be used for discipline. Ferrets need plenty of time out of their cage, as least four hours daily to avoid obsessive and bad behaviors.

With persistence, and rewards such as treats, ferrets do understand commands. They tend to have short attention spans, it helps to handle your ferret frequently when young. As they get used to being handled, then start talking to them with commands,and soon they will understand. In my experience, I will tell my ferret with an authoritative voice to "Stop it", when he's doing something wrong (like digging and scratching at the door wanting on the other side), he may stop for a second and then continue, and I will need to tell him about 3 or 4 times until he finally gives up and listens to what I'm saying.

You should always train a ferret to come to you by name and by the sound of a toy with either a bell or squeaker, this will help to locate them when their out of the cage. Ferrets can be taught to roll over, fetch, stand up

About teaching ferret to do tricks, I read that if you take away their food for a while, and when their really hungry, to teach them to roll over, say to them "Roll Over" while rolling them over, and then give them a treat, repeat about eight times, and then after that roll them over only part way, and if they complete the roll, then give a treat, and then after that roll them over a quarter of the way, until you can just brush their shoulder and they will roll over. They will learn this trick in about three ten-minute lessons. Try it and see if it works. Some ferrets do not have the patience to learn tricks. Young ferrets can be especially difficult to train, they have too much energy and not enough concentration Ferrets are very intelligent, friendly animals and they can be trained. For example, they can easily be trained to use a litterbox or may just do it on their own as a preference if you provide one. Also please remember that positive reinforcement is key to training any animal. Rewarding acceptable behavior and ignoring or gently correcting undesirable behavior always gets better results than punishment. Also, the trust of your pet is important and they are happier and much more well behaved knowing what pleases you as opposed to just knowing what makes their usually-friendly-companion angry or upset with them. As long as you have lots of treats, patience, and simple repetitive commands! refer to question below for litter training

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: How do you train a ferret?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Can you train your ferret like a puppy?

Ferrets can be trained, but not like a dog or cat.


How do you shoulder train a ferret?

Shoulder train a ferret -with a lot of patience. I've been working on this. First you have to be in an area without distractions. While sitting on the bed, put your ferret on your shoulder using treat or a toy. Repeat a few times to get the ferret used to sitting on your shoulder. This needs to be done gradually a few minutes a day. When you feel your ferret is sitting on your shoulder and will stay, then start moving around slowly, increasing your movements until you can stand up.


How do you train a ferret not to go in holes?

I don't believe you cannot train a ferret not to go in holes. It's their natural instinct to be in an enclosed place. Ferrets in the wild live underground in dens. You will either have to remove the ferrets from said place or restrict access.


What do you do if a ferret eats a gummy bear of strong medical weed?

In this case, since your ferret ate this medical gummy bear I highly suggest you go to your nearest vet. If you just got this ferret from a shelter have a conversation with the shelter if this has happened in the past. If so, it could become a habit if you cannot train your ferret not to eat things it sees.


What are some fun things you can do with your ferret and how do you leash train?

Just let your ferret run around the house! Make sure it is ferret-proofed though!! Get some toys for your ferret to play with, you can also get a companion for your ferret {make sure he/she is spayed/neutured}! Sounds like she is not used to the harness, start with just a wearing a collar around the house first, then try to harness, distract her or give treats to get her used to it before taking her outside.


Why does you ferret get mad?

What do you mean by mad? If your ferret is tearing up stuff it probably is not getting as much time out of its cage as it should, ferrets should have 2-4 hours out of their cage a day. If you are gone/busy all day, you could get a bigger cage (if you can afford it) and another ferret for a play mate; but you should still give your ferret(s) one on one play time with you.If your ferret is biting you then you can spray bitter apple on your hand and that will detour any biting; however, if your ferret is a kit it's probably just tryng to play with you. Remember that a ferret's skin is tougher than a human's, so a gentle nip to a ferret means come play with me! But to you it hurts, heres a link to how to nip train your ferret.


What is a ferret kit?

A Ferret kit is a baby Ferret.


Will eating ants hurt ferret?

No. They will not harm your ferret unless your ferret eats them.


Is Monique a ferret?

Monique is a ferret


What is the young of a ferret?

A young ferret or baby ferret is known as a kit.


Can a girl ferret have babies without a boy ferret?

No. The sperm from the male ferret is required to fertilise the egg / eggs of the female ferret


How do you train a 9 week old ferret that started biting your toes fingers etc not to bite?

A young ferret needs to be properly socialized and requires quite a bit of human interaction and playtime. Baby ferrets play together by biting each other. Is your ferret wanting more attention or just wanting to play with you. You teach a young ferret not to bite by scruffing, which is the way the mother ferret scolds her babies. When your ferret nips or bites, scruff him/her (gently grab the skin on the back of the neck with your thumb and forefinger (or index finger) and lift up a little and your ferret should relax, while saving "No" in an authorative voice. Never hit or flick your ferrets nose, as they don't understand that action.