ferret biting

Question
I recently purchase my ferret Storm.  I was told that she is approximatley 4 months old.  She is a terrible biter (drawing blood).  I have sprayed my hands with bitter apple and after she licks it she will bite.  I have been scruffing her and as soon as I put her down she runs up and bites me again.  I am now time outing her.  How long does it take to train.  She's out of her cage for 3 1/2 to 4 hours a day with plently of toys to play with.

Answer
Congratulations on your new ferret! I love the name Storm.

Ahh so you have gotten to experience the joys of a biter. I know exactly where you are coming from. It's a difficult thing to have a ferret that loves nothing more than getting a good on some flesh.

I have two biters currently so I understand your dilemma.

Since she's a young girl she is just being a kit and biting is a stage they all go through. Now that doesn't mean she can get away with it, but it does mean that she will more than likely grow out of it.

What are your reactions when she bites? Don't make a big fuss, hit or tap her anywhere or react violently. Ferrets thrive on that and will see it as a game.

First of all make sure you spend time holding her and petting her and using your hands (not in play or aggression) with her.

When a ferret bites scruff them and either hiss at them, say no sharply, yelp, or drag them across the floor (imitates what the mother would do)

What ever method you choose be consistent and don't change.

Another tip is to never put them in timeout in their cage...or ever really.

You never want them to associate their cage with a punishment or something negative. You want it to be somewhere where they feel safe and comfortable. That could be part of your problem with her cage biting also.

It's just like if you have a dog and use a crate you never use their crate for punishment, it's supposed to be a happy safe place where they can go.

Ferrets also do not have the ability to remember why you put her in the cage by the time you do that.

Now what I have done since the time I got my biter as a kit to know (he's about two and a half) is I hold him all the time. I carry him around the house, when he's playing I pick him up and pet him, never allowing him to bite me. I never use my hands to play with him.

I do this all so he isn't afraid of me, because a lot of times biters tend to be very fearful, though they don't seem like it to use. They bite out of defense.

Here are some really great websites to help you try and fix his biting.
http://www.ferret-fact.org/BehBite.htm

http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Lofts/1083/probhead.html

http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Nipping.htm

http://www.nhahonline.com/ferretfacts.htm

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=11&cat=1280&articleid=500

http://www.ohioferret.org/articles/docb.asp?d=13

http://ferretlover97.terrabox.com/todd-demon.html

http://ferretlover97.terrabox.com/jen.html

Another thing is three and a half hours is under the min. you want to have her out. The min is 4 and that's on the low side. I would very much suggest having her out much longer.

Ferret proofing one room and letting her out all day is something you might want to do.

Good luck, I hope this helps and keep me updated

Lindsey