Can a ferret be trained?

The ferret (domestic ferret) is an incredibly intelligent animal. If the owner approaches education correctly, the ferret quickly learns the norms of behavior at home and on the street: he goes to the tray, knows his name and place, walks on a harness … All this suggests that the ferret is capable of learning, and even very much. But it’s one thing to accustom to a nickname or harness. And it’s quite another to teach, for example, to bring you a ball.

If you want the ferret to bring objects on command or perform other theatrical tricks, get ready for a long painstaking work, which, by the way, may not bring the desired result at all. And not because the ferret is stupid, but because he does not see the point in such actions. This dog, at the genetic level, strives to please the owner and prescribes any kind of pretzel to arouse his approval. But the psychology of ferrets is fundamentally different. The animal does only what he wants, what he needs. And the training tools are completely different.

• The best way to teach a ferret tricks is to reinforce the tricks that he already does in his daily life even without your command. For example, many ferrets like to do a stand – stand up on their hind legs and freeze. If you want your pet to perform such a stance not only at will, but also at your command, just say the command every time the ferret stands on its hind legs, and then reward it with a treat. Using the same model, you can train a ferret to come to you on the command “come to me.” Say the command each time the ferret runs towards you. If he does run up to you, treat him with a treat.

• This approach to training is called the pushing method. Soon the ferret will begin to relate his action to your command and reward and learn to perform it on command.

• Choose the right stimulus. Your task is to interest the ferret, to outline the benefits for him. Show that he will get such a good thing if he performs any action. Verbal praise is, of course, great, but for a ferret it is not enough. This approval of the owner is vital for the dog, but the ferret is much more independent and will do just fine without it. But what he will definitely like is a tasty, healthy, fragrant delicacy. The main thing is to use it carefully, i.e. without exceeding the feeding rate.

• Build your lesson right. A ferret is always in a hurry somewhere. He does not know how to concentrate for a long time on something that is not of paramount importance to him. He is quickly distracted, does not like boring activities – especially if he does not see the point in them. Therefore, training sessions should always be easy, interesting and perceived by the ferret as another fun game. Difficult exercises should always alternate with fun and easy ones.

• Engage in training no more than 3 times a day, for 5-7 minutes. For a restless pet, such lessons are already a feat.

• At the end of the lesson, regardless of success, the ferret must definitely receive encouragement – its tasty reward. Otherwise, he will completely lose interest in training.

• Punishments don’t work! Remember that tricks are for you, not your pet. It is cruel and completely pointless to punish a ferret for not doing unnecessary actions.

• Practice tricks in the same place, without distractions, to keep your pet’s attention at least for a while. Outdoor training is definitely a bad idea. There are too many unknown and exciting things outside the house for the ferret, and your commands will be of little interest to him.

• The sooner you start teaching your ferret tricks, the better. Young ferrets are interested in everything around, including commands, which in a seasoned adult ferret can cause only one desire – to run away.

Armed with the right approach, and most importantly – sincere love for your pet, you can organize real circus performances: teach a ferret to make stands, bring objects, jump over a cane, roll on command, and much more. But we would advise focusing not on the result, but on the process. Don’t expect perfect tricks, but enjoy spending time with your pet. It’s the most important!