How to Teach a Ferret Tricks

By eHow Pets Editor

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Ferrets can learn tricks. It does take a little patience to keep them active and focused. Ferrets love attention, but they sometimes get too excited to concentrate. Reward good behavior with treats to reinforce your relationship with your pet. When your ferret trusts you, it can be much easier to teach it a variety of tricks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ferret snacks

Learn More About Teaching Your Ferret Tricks

Step 1

Know that ferrets expect treats for good behavior.
Step 2

Realize that if a dog can do a trick, a ferret can do it, too. They can be taught to roll over, come when called, retrieve toys and more.
Step 3

Remember that training your ferret should be fun. Give your ferret lots of praise for doing tricks or even just attempting them.

Teach Your Ferret Its Name

Step 1

Call your ferret's name over and over.
Step 2

Give your ferret a treat when it looks up at you.
Step 3

Continue giving your ferret treats whenever it responds to its name. Soon your ferret will run to you when it hears its name being called.

Teach Your Ferret How to Sit Up

Step 1

Hold a treat above your ferret's head. It should have to sit up to reach the snack.
Step 2

Say "sit" while your pet reaches for the treat.
Step 3

Repeat this each time with the treat held higher. Soon, your ferret will sit up whenever it hears "sit," even if it can't see the treat.

Teach Your Ferret to Lie on its Belly

Step 1

Get your ferret to lie back on its belly and give it a treat.
Step 2

Roll your ferret over and scratch its belly. Give it another treat.
Step 3

Continue this training until your ferret rolls over on her own for a treat. Every time your ferret rolls over, give it a scratch and a snack to continue this behavior.

Comments

beauaa said

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on 6/27/2009 My ferret will not take any treats i have bought him. I have bought him the bandits bacon and chicken flovor and I also bought him the super fries. He only smells them and then has nothing to do with them. He is starting to learn some tricks but I have nothing to reward him with because he doesn't take them. What should I try next?