New Ferret Owner-Biting

Question
QUESTION: I have a question about a new female ferret that we have just gotten here recently. We got her from a couple that says they were her only owners & she is about a year & a half. My question is mainly about biting & her attitude towards me & my dog. I also have 2 young daughter (2 & 6) but they dont mess with her enough for me to know, so far as the attitude & biting goes. I didn't know that they bite liek she does...she will grab a hold of you & not let go. I'm not sure if she's trying to play or if she's mad at me or dont like me. Plus...she makes this weird noise when my dog sniffs her & sometimes when I try to play with her & it kind of sounds like she's getting mad...not hissing but I would say in that catagory. Which I didnt know that they did that either. My dad used to raise ferrets when I was young & in the past I've played with many so I wouldnt say I'm necessarily ferret illiterate. But is there anything that I can do?

ANSWER: Hi congratulations on the new ferret!

Nipping is common in ferrets if they are not nip trained. Nip training can take anywhere from a few days to a week or more. First thing to know is never hit the ferret (not saying you do) this used to be a common way to teach a ferret not to bite but it has been proven to cause more damage.

I used this link to nip train my aggressive biter
http://forum.ferret.com/tm.aspx?m=133100&high=nip+training

How long have you had her?
She may not be fully comfortable yet around you or your dog to really play.

I think the sound you are hearing is her "dooking" which is a very excited sound when they are playing or exploring.

Does it sound like this?

Not my ferret but you can hear it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KpqiBhyP7Q

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QUESTION: I actually havent had her very long just a few days & the dooking...is not it : ) its so cute & i cant wait till she gets to the point to where she does that. That will make me feel better & make me feel like she's happy : ) But okay...no its not that sound. I'm not sure how to explain it. & as far as the biting goes...since just the last message that I have sent she has since bit my 2 daughters also  & they are now just tramatized & dont want anything to do with her which I do not want. I've tried the scruffing thing & also have the ferrets for dummies book so I guess I'll just keep trying : )

Answer
She may be afraid since you have only had her a few days. I would give her a few days with just one on one attention until she gets used to being at your house. I would also continue with the nip training it can take awhile for some ferrets. I wouldn't let the ferret interact with the kids while she is adjusting and biting.

Also when she bites you can try a bite hold so she cannot bite you while you are holding her.
http://forum.ferret.com/tm.aspx?m=52952&high=Bite+Hold