Manitoba ferret association

5. Fetch. Ferrets can be trained to fetch. It takes a while for the clues to set in, but once they learn, they will do it for hours. Start by finding out which ferret treat is loved the best by the ferret you are training. Engage the ferret in play, then get him to pounce on a Wiffle golf ball (the ones with holes). When the ferret plays with the golf ball, given him a tiny piece of the treat. Do this for several days. Then only treat the ferret for picking up the golf ball. Once that is learned, then only treat him when he carries the golf ball. Finally, only treat the ferret when he carries the golf ball to you. This final trick may take days or weeks to learn, depending on the ferret, but the ferret will eventually learn it. At that point, blow a whistle each time you toss the ball so the ferret will associate the whistle with fetching the ball for a treat. If this is done step by step in a consistent fashion, and only introducing a new variation after the previous one has been mastered, you will end up with a ferret that, when you whistle, will run out and fetch a ball back to you.

6. Chase. Buy a ferret-sized stuffed animal and attach it to the end of a 1/4-inch dowel. A good way to do this is to first drill a hole through the end of the dowel. Then thread a cord through both the stuffed animal and the dowel, and tie it off. Holding the stick, chase the ferret back and forth, allowing the ferret to attack the stuffed animal. This is a big-time favorite at my house, and when one ferret starts to play soon the entire group is joining in. It doesn’t take long for a dozen bouncy ferrets to be chasing the stuffed animal, and each other, all over the room. The best part is my hand and arms are safe from tiny teeth and toenails. Well, at least until the ferrets figure out the other end of the stick is attached to me.

7. The New Toy Game. Once you acquire a good-sized collection of toys, separate them into several piles. Each couple of days, launder one of the piles of toys, adding some vanilla or other scent to the final rinse. They magically become new toys because they have a new scent. Pile the toys in a corner or inside a box or bag, and watch the excitement. With the toys separated into “collections” you can add “new toys” every couple of days, and still only wash the toys en masse once a week.

8. Raisin Diving. Take one small plastic child pool. Add a thin film of water, toss in a few raisins or other favored treats, and let the raisin-hounds at them. Over time, gradually add more and more water, and the ferrets will become water-hounds, diving and splashing for treats. Once they learn water is fun, they will readily dive in and splash around.

9. Kill the Hotdog. This is not for those who find all-beef hotdogs being ripped to shreds amusing. Tie a hotdog to a stick and go ferret fishing. It takes about 30 minutes for my group to destroy the hotdog and cart it off for future maiming. Most ferrets are not very interested in eating the hotdog, but they sure love helping to tear it apart. This works best in households that also have a dog who enjoys taking the part of a vacuum. Or a small hungry child.

10. Explore. Every once in a while, take a single ferret out exploring. Take them outside, into a “forbidden room,” shopping, to the pet store, anywhere the ferret will be exposed to new situations and stimuli. A tiny proportion of ferrets will not like these experiences, but most love them. Just make sure you take turns with all and don’t favor any particular ferret. Be fair.

If you look closely at each of these ten ideas to reduce boredom, you will find two consistent themes. First, the ferret is exposed to a varied, exciting environment that is intellectually challenging, rewarding, and plain interesting. OK, it’s fun. Second, the tasks get both ferret and person involved. The ferrets will come to associate you with fun and treats, and you will start forming a stronger and more personal bond. You will enjoy each other, but more, you will be providing to the ferret those things that keep life interesting and worthwhile.

Finally, it really doesn’t matter what you do with the ferret; he can have a stimulating life without using a single one of these ideas. Make up your own games, find some way for the ferret to work for its treat, stimulate its problem-solving ability. The secret is doing something with the ferret. Play with it, rough it up, scoot it across the floor, make it climb a ladder for Ferretone. Whatever. Just do it. Yes, it will take some work, some clean up, even some effort, but if all you wanted is a ferret to look at, you could have bought a plastic one to set on your television.

Bob Church has done extensive research on the habits, history, and physical makeup of ferrets and other mustelids. He is currently a perpetual student in Missouri, but he plans to someday break that cycle. Bob always has a house full of ferrets and an endless supply of ideas on how to keep them happy and healthy.