Ferret troubles...

Question
A week or so ago, I got a baby ferret from Feeders Supply. At first she was very lovable and she didn't bite very hard but now I can hardly control her. I read in a book I bought at the pet store that when they bite or misbehave to grad their scruff and give them a LITTLE shake and say "no" in a deep voice and look them straight in the eyes. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. My relative's friend has two ferrets and she taps them on the nose when her ferrets misbehave, so I tried that and that doesn't work. I finally went to my last resort and went to the internet and I tried a few different play ideas, I was gentle but still playful and I tried to not get agitated or agitate her and then she started biting harder and harder to the point to were it left a mark on my finger and I had to leave her in her cage because I was very upset and I didn't want to do anything I  would regret. We have five dogs, one cat, and two birds so my ferret cannot run around the house as she pleases but we do get her out several times a day and always for a extended period (which usually ends due to her biting.) Whenever we get her out, none of the other animals are able to access the room except for our miniature Australian Shepard whom the ferret seem to have taken a liking to. Our ferret has several toys and always has fresh food and water and I don't know what else to do. I love her to death and I think I am doing something to cause this. PLEASE HELP ME!

Answer
Dear Shannon,

Let me first start out by saying congratulations on your new ferret.

Now I'm going to assume you got her as a kit and she still is young. Kits bite, it's just a fact. You will have to train them out of it, but typically they grow up and with your work and mother nature that she will more than likely stop as she ages and matures.

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. That is the most important thing.

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, or become fearful of hands and begin to bite out of fear. Your ferret needs to trust you and tapping them on the nose (most sensitive part of them) is not the way to gain her trust.

I also want to say, I know it's hard but don't punish the ferret for biting. Discipline her but not punish, she is not human and will not associate being put in her cage with her biting you. And you do not want to make her cage a bad place to go.

Another option is Bitter Apple? It's a spray that you can spray on the body parts exposed that she goes after. Ferrets (and other animals) do not like the taste and will many times spit you back out. Use that to condition your ferret so that when she bites you he gets a taste of something nasty.

I know how it feels to get bit, I've had a ferret almost bite clean through the fleshy part of my hand by my thumb.  I have two hard core biters right now, one that I adopted from someone because she didn't think anyone would take him because of his biting.
But there is a big difference between a biter and a nipper. Yours sounds like she's a nipper. I doubt you were doing anything to cause this but depending on your reaction when she bites you she might not trust you so much anymore and you will have to regain that trust.

Here are some great ferret sites that I would recommend to any new owner (and many experienced ones). These will give you a lot of wonderful ferret info and help you along the way.
http://www.everythingfert.proboards36.com/index.cgi

http://www.ferretvillage.org/index.php?sid=c833a8c4485d71cfb75023729231c871

http://www.petshub.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

http://pets-galore.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=673

Don't give up or become frustrated, it won't help any and will end up causing you more pain than if you stayed patient. Good luck and please keep me updated!

Lindsey