From: hartman@oin.cis.udel.edu (Nancy Hartman)
Newsgroups: rec.pets
Subject: Re: My Ferret
Date: 31 Dec 1992 14:00:56 GMT
Organization: University of Delaware, Newark
NNTP-Posting-Host: oin.cis.udel.edu

In article <urf.725551229@sw2001> urf@icl.se (Urban F) writes:

>>1) I Am Having a terrible time getting her to be litter trained any tips?

She'll pick her own corners, you can't do very much about that.  You
can 1) put a litterbox there, 2) put a bowl of food there, or 3) keep
it clean and hope with consistency she'll get the hint.

For a while it will seem like you have litterboxes and/or food bows
everywhere.  Don't panic.  Once she gets used to the situation, and
becomes consistent, give her a few more months and then slowly start
taking away the litterboxes that she doesn't use very much.  Also, 
take advantage of any furniture rearrangements that you do, this is
a great time to remove litterboxes, since she has to get used to the
new furniture arrangement anyway.  

Every time you see her waking up, take her and put her in a litterbox.
Don't let her out until she's gone to the bathroom or you're positive
that she really doesn't have to.  When she goes praise her.  

If you catch her in the act of "missing", say something like "get in 
your litterbox" harshly, then pick her up and take her to a litterbox
and start praising her (never reprimand her while she's in the 
litterbox).  You will find that she will start responding to the
"get in your litterbox" command, and if you do catch her missing 
she'll at least go to a litterbox when she hears you.  Hopefully,
this will lead to no more misses eventually.

Most ferrets can be trained.  In my experience it's usually harder with
first ferrets.  I guess they learn better with a role model.  Well, 
I shouldn't say that, many ferrets take to litterbox training 
exceptionally well, whether they are a first ferret or not. But if
they are going to be hard-headed about it, it's usually worse if they
are a first ferret.

>>6) She hates Baths!  Any Way to make her like them More? Cold Water? Hot?
>>hehe..I Have been using Luke warm-Cold water.  
>
>Play with her. Don't use shampoo and see if that's what she doesn't
>like. The water should not be hot, she probably likes it cooler than
>you do.

Actually, they like the water a little warmer than we would normally
use.  But, keep it within your own comfort zone.  If it's too hot for
comfort for you, then it is for her too.

My suggestion on this is to try putting a washcloth in for her to 
sit on.  My Bree is greatly comforted by having a big dog sized bowl
in the tub that she can sit in.  If she doesn't have it, she gets
frantic and tries to jump out.  If she does have it, she'll just 
sit in it looking miserable, but calm.  You could also try keeping
some Nutrical, or other treat, by the tub, and give her some as
you are bathing her.

Most ferrets do not like baths.  The are similar to dogs in that 
respect.  Most hate them, but tolerate it, some get absolutely frantic,
and some even like them.  

- Nancy

-- 
Nancy Hartman					CIS graduate student
hartman@udel.edu				U. of Delaware
        President and founder, Delaware Valley Ferret Club
           Owner of Percy, Bree, & Popcorn, the ferrets