Ferret Care - Training

Robin Hochgertel: This is Robin from FerretsFirst Rescue showing you how to take care of your ferret. Now we are going to do ferret training.

It's important that all ferrets be litter pan trained when they are in their cage. If you are having a problem litter pan training them, what you need to do is you need to put obstacles in the way of their going to the bathroom. Generally, they like to go in corners. So what you need to do is you need to occupy the corners.

One idea is to put a locking crock in a corner. That will block one corner. You can put the water bottle in another corner. You can put a bed in the third corner. That leaves the corner with a litter box for them to go in. Always make sure that you pick up their waste, put it back in their litter pan, so that they know that; that is where the waste goes.

Training a ferret is a lot like training a cat. They are somewhat reluctant to learn, but you can teach them. Pick a room for your ferret to play in and put a litter box in that room. Be very diligent in the beginning. Notice when the ferret is backing up to go to the bathroom, pick it up, put it in the litter pan, make sure it stays there until it goes to the bathroom. Then give it a reward. This needs to continually be reinforced for your ferret will learn to use a litter pan in that room.

You can also teach a ferret to come to a noise. This is important, because ferrets can hide and get into places that are difficult for you to find them. Some of the things the we use to train them are a ball. You rattle a ball and when the ferret comes, you give them a treat. Some people use a squeaky toy. Another huge thing it just rattle. When ferret comes to you, give it the treat and keep repeating that sequence until your ferret is used to coming to the noise when you make it.

Those are tips on training your ferret. Next, we will teach you how to prepare home for your ferret.