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While ferrets may look like they belong in the forest instead of your home, the fuzzy bundles you get from stores and shelters are quite domesticated and readily trainable. Even though they can be very strong-willed and wildly exuberant, these rambunctious fellows can be taught easily with the right approach and attitude. As long as you employ consistency and patience, you can train any ferret.
In an Outlandish Class of Their Own
Friendly and naturally inquisitive, ferrets make fun pets. They’re highly intelligent but harder to train than dogs. Ferrets don’t care as much about pleasing you as a dog does. This scallywag’s main concern is pleasing itself! Plus these precocious creatures have a very short attention span for anything—especially if it’s not their idea! Ferrets have attention “points” rather than attention “span!”To educate your ferret pet, you must first get its attention. When let out to play, the rascals are so excited they can’t focus on anything. They just run, leap and renew their acquaintance with their romping area and human playmates. Before you try to instruct a ferret to do anything, allow it to slow down after its initial bubbly play. Your frenetic friend won’t learn much until it’s able to pay attention.
As with any pet, adapt your training techniques to the specific personality of your unique ferret. But there are some basic ferret training tips you can follow.
Positive Perks for a Playful Ferret
In general, the easiest way to train an animal is by positive reinforcement. The basic principle is to “shape” the behavior that’s desired by offering a positive reward for performing the preferred behavior. Ferrets respond well to repetition and reward.These buoyant creatures don’t respond well to punishment. Never hit your pet, thump it on the nose, or inflict pain. Your sensitive pal will then associate humans and hands with pain—and will react accordingly. It will also lose all trust with you. The most effective way to nip bad behaviors in the bud is to reward good behaviors.
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