Taking them on a walk.

Nope they don't walk like a dog.

First off they need to become familiar with the leash.  Hopefully the pet store started them.  If not you just have to put it on them a few times.  I like the H style leash.
like this one:
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2753509
The coat like one seams too easy for them to slip out.  A simple collar is dangerous.  There are many times you want to yank the ferret out of danger, or they fall.  The H style will keep them from getting hurt.

They probably won't ever walk like a dog.  They love LOVE to explore.  It seems to be their reason for existing sometimes.  They want to smell everything.  Partly cause they are hunters, partly cause they have bad vision and need to smell to 'see'.....

So on the way out:
1) you can carry them, or shoulder them.
2) patiently go forward wait until the come forward enough to give you the slack to move forward again...sighhhh....

On the way back:
The more familiar they are with the way the faster they will walk.  They seem to want to get back home or to the car....then it can be like walking a dog...

More Faqs:

Are they affectionate?
Mostly in the way cats are.  They'll climb on you, lick you, and sleep on you....They'll play with you ( more the males then the females ).  They aren't like dogs, they just seem to busy exploring to care too much about humans.

How are they with dogs?
Integration with dogs can be tricky....The issue seems to be that ferrets will play with dogs, and they have these really sharp teeth.  They playfully bite the dog and the dog bites back; tragedy!

How are they with cats?
So far cats don't seem to want to know....


A good pet for kids?
Probably not, they require a lot of time and care.  They don't really like being picked up, they sleep A LOT, and are very destructive.  On the other hand, they interact well with kids after nip training.  I'd supervise them carefully with young kids though.  Kids under three might be really problematic, as even the best nip trained ferret might nip some kid if they have just eaten.  And they seem to get trampled a lot by toddlers....

Training to the shoulder.


Start out with treat training.  Give them treats for staying on your should.  Put them on your shoulder, if they stay on for 30 seconds give them a treat.  When they slide off, put them back on.  Take your hands down, and give them no easy way down.  Once they get the idea, move around a little until they realize they need to use their claws to stay on.  It's usually too far for them to just jump.

A hoodie gives them a good place to hang out when they are tired.

Tips:

Nails on neck suck, use a high collar shirt or scarf.
They may want to burrow into your shirt.  Just put your hand there, if their heads are there, then they will drag it out as they don't like their heads to be controlled.
If they insist on getting down, you may have to hold them or pluck at their fur, this will show them that it's better on your shoulder.  Plucking their fur a little is not harmful, as it helps them with their shedding, but some don't like it......

The grand ferret adventure

Maybe you've seen us walking with the ferrets and have wondered about them.  We certainly get a lot of questions, but I think that maybe a few or you are a little shy.....


So I'll start with a faq:

1) Do Ferrets make good pets?
They do if you know what you are getting into, and have the time to spend.  So many are given up to the pound because people just didn't expect what they got.

2) I hear the ferrets are stinky?
They can be, mostly the ones you see around here are from the US Marshal farms.  Their musk glands are taken out.  Also their pee can smell of ammonia.  If you are careful though, they will have a faint smell that you have to put your nose right up to them to get. 

3) I hear they bite a lot?
Again it's about you and how much time you can take to making them a good pet.  They will mostly all start off biting you.  It's how they play.  Once they realize that they are hurting us, they will stop, but you have to train them.  A loud OWWWW and withdrawal of attention seems to work well.

4) Can you liter train them?
Yes you CAN.  BUT it might or might not be difficult.  It depends on their early training (pet shop or ferret mother).  That being said, you might not ever really get them liter trained, it depends mostly on the training....