My ferret in the past usually left cords alone. We've moved into a new apartment and he won't leave the hanging cords to my aquarium setup alone. If he pulls on one of these cords too hard, it will pull the light into the aquarium, electrocuting my turtles. It is hooked into an outlet that will shut off in the event of an overload, but it is still dangerous. I don't know how to deter this behavior. I've sprayed the cords in bitter spray, he doesn't care. I've tried 3-5 minute time outs when he does it. Doesn't work. He immediately goes after the cords when he gets out and he is in and out of time out non-stop for hours with no break. I've gotten to the point where if he does it, he just goes in his cage with no play time for the rest of the evening. I know that's not a good way to discipline a ferret, but I'm at my wits end and can't allow him to endanger himself and my turtles.

Can you unplug the light and put the cord up while your ferret is out?

if it's a table, zip tie the cords to the table leg,  or if it's on a dresser without legs, use clamps to secure them to the side.  It's still dangerous for him to chew on the cord.  You can buy cord protecting tubing to keep it safe. 

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

It isn't an issue of him chewing the cord. He jumps at them and tries to pull them down. It's possible I can unplug it while he is out but thats not an ideal solution as it's not great for the turtles.

Better to secure them.  Eve duct tape is better than unplugging fir turtles' sake. What kind of turtles?

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

Any way of blocking the area off?

unclejoe


Better to secure them.  Eve duct tape is better than unplugging fir turtles' sake. What kind of turtles?

They are  Northern Black Knobbed Map Turtles. I have no way of blocking it off that works. I have a pet gate that wraps around, but he is relentless and eventually gets through it. There is nowhere I can duct tape the cords that will keep him away either. I'm at a loss...

How about running the cords thru a PVC pipe?

Can you take a picture of the area....maybe we can come up with some ideas/suggestions for you.

How about putting some tubing/tunnels behind the turtles for him to play.  this might distract him.

http://www.ferret.com/item/marshall-ferret-super-thru-way-tunnel/650727/

While he is in the this area.  Sit down and play with him....get his attention else where.

I hope this helps

Distracting him does help temporarily, but as soon as i let go, he begins again. As for tunnels, if you can possibly believe this, my ferret doesn't like tunnels. He won't play in them. I've provided several ferret tunnels from different brands and he just chews on the outside and refuses to enter them.

Sorry for the double post, but I've blocked off the area and now he just sits there and digs the carpet. I've tried everything I can think of to get him to stop and I'm ready to rip my hair out. He's never been like this before and its making me reconsider keeping him as a pet. I don't know what to do at all.

sits there and digs the carpet

Put down some clear plastic carpet runner.

wenmister

sits there and digs the carpet

Put down some clear plastic carpet runner.

I will look into that. I just spent twenty minutes repeatedly scruffing him as he tried to get over the fence I used to block the aquarium off. Then when he finally gave up, it only lasted about thirty seconds before we did that dance again for twenty minutes. This is really exhausting. He has never acted like this before over anything. It's upsetting.

twenty minutes repeatedly scruffing him

It's not going to help.  Not worth scruffing him.


Can you upload a picture of your setup....we will give you some ideas.


Carpet runner. If you go into the curtain area of Walmart - they have smaller pieces for sale.


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Es-Robbins-Vinyl-Runner-Carpet-10-Ft-Length-X-27-Width-Clear-esr-184013/42553500


I like to use plexi glass to block off an area.  I usually go over to lowes and pick out the plexi glass, then have it cut.

If you already have it fenced off.  He's is still climbing it.  You might want to think about getting enough
carpet runner and tape that to the side of the fence...this way it will be slippery for him to climb.  Put the
carpet runner down on the floor so that he's does not dig at the flooring.

I hope this helps

I've put down vinyl tiling so that he can't dig up the carpet, and the gate is holding well enough but he will spend all his time trying to get back there. You say its not worth scruffing, but as long as he continues this, I can't let him out of the cage. He never acted like this before and I'm considering finding him a new home, which I've never considered before because I love him so much. But I can't give him what he needs when I can't allow him to play because he won't stop destroying the carpet trying to get back there to electrocute my turtles.

How about this?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-6-ft-Cable-Neat-Organizing-Tubing-Black-43037/203716823

wrap electrical tape every foot or so to keep it closed.  There has to be some way to secure it to that table the aquarium is on...

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

unclejoe


How about this?
http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-6-ft-Cable-Neat-Organizing-Tubing-Black-43037/203716823

wrap electrical tape every foot or so to keep it closed.  There has to be some way to secure it to that table the aquarium is on...

I will give it a shot. I think he'd find a way to just tug on that instead, but will try.

At least it will keep him from chewing on the wires.  If you can anchor them somehow he will get bored and move on.

THE DOOKS OF HAZARD

I have hooked them up on a wire holder against the wall. So far, it is working and he is ignoring it. Lets hope it keeps working.

Yeah....win for human!