Did You Know…

That ferrets can be taught to walk on a leash like a dog. I get an assortment of different looks when I walk my three fur kids and the most received statement is “I didn’t know they would walk on a leash.”

Like training a dog, you have to have the right equipment.

What you need:

A harness

A belled collar

A leash

A tandem lead

Ferretone

There are different styles of harnesses to choose from and the one you choose has to fit your lifestyle. What works for me may not be the style or design you want. There are three main styles of harnesses and they are:

This is one of the cheapest one it’s made from a twisted cord that loops over the head and has a plastic slider that has a button lock making it look like one of those Bolo Ties   seen on Oil Tycoons but without the silver tips.

To make the second loop you take the line with the metal clip under the ferret’s body behind their front feet and clip it into the plastic loop on the side of the slider.

This type of leash is attractive to many first time ferret owners because of cost but the effectiveness of using this leash is almost nil. The button lock doesn’t stay locked and agile ferrets can maneuver enough to unlock it and slide it so they can walk out of the harness.

The Neoprene Harnesses are usually brightly colored and has Velcro® on the ends that go around the neck and around the body.

 

The Comfort harness is similar to the Neoprene Harness in design but also features buckles for added safety. The furkids buddy Snotface Critter wears one on his travels and Marylin wore a smaller version until she was big enough for her newest harness.

I use the H style harness mainly because it was the only style available where I live until recently when the store started adding more designs to their inventory and Most of the time you bought the harness and leash as a set. These are made from nylon webbing and are adjustable around the neck and body and has the same buckle as the comfort harness.

 

All but the string type harness have a D ring for the leash to attach to. It is important to make sure the harness fits correctly. To loose and the ferret will escape too tight and then the ferret won’t be able to breathe or move properly. Rule of thumb I use is one finger between the ferret and the harness.

Always start harness training inside.

I cannot stress this enough. First, it allows the ferret the chance to get use to having the harness on in a controlled situation. If the ferret realizes they can get out of the harness, they will do so in the safety of their home and not in the big wide world of unknowns.

Second, it lets you adjust the harness so that it is not too tight or too loose without the worry of the ferret escaping.

To Be Continued…

 

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

First Real Outing

 

Hope everyone had a good Easter. 

  Marcuz wasn’t too happy with me on this photo.

Friday Manny, Marcuz, and I were able to go out and do some stuff. Roomy had rented a vehicle and allowed us to use it before it had to be returned.

Our first stop was to the local Agway where Marcuz came from. They had a couple of baby ferrets there and the boys wanted to play but they were sleeping for the longest time.

A little girl about 7 was trying to get her mom to get her one of the babies. You could tell mom was getting worn down.

I asked the little girl what other pets she had. She told me proudly that she had fish. I told her fish were easy compared to ferrets. Cause she would have to train the ferret not to bite. Play with it everyday and the worst thing was cleaning its litter pan.

The little girl wrinkled her nose at that and asked to go see the fish. Mom smiled a very relieved smile.

Marcuz go a new collar as he has hidden his other one where I can’t find it. Also go both of them a new squeaky toy.

Off to the park for some fun. Manny let Marcuz drag him around literally. Manny didn’t want to walk anywhere at least it was on the grass.

  Whatz that wez see? Itz a Robin. Can wez get it? Wez taking a break wif Lamb Chop®

 Time toz goz home.

In all we were out for two hours. By the time we go home both boys were fast asleep and really didn’t wake up when I put them in their cage.

Can’t wait for our next adventure.

Have a Chittering Good Day,

Jo

Wordless Wednesday

 

 

Captions, remarks, and comments welcomed

Jo