So we got our new ferret last a week ago Thursday and he gets along with the other two great. Everyone plays, sometimes someone gets a little mad and then all is forgotten.

I know that since he was returned to the store he will need some extra care and training to get him up to par with the others but one thing I'm not entirely sure about. He REALLY likes scratching ankles. He hops at your legs when you walk and wraps his arms around them. We initially thought this was a precursor to toe biting but he seems to only do that if he's really fiesty or really wanting attention.

Tried scruffing and saying no - will continue doing this except currently there is literally no hesitation after the scruffing. You put him back down and he's on your legs again in a flash. I put him in time out for about 3 minutes in the cage and he decided it was time to go to sleep so I don't think that was effective. 

Any tips on this? He is very underfoot. We're aware of it so we're careful while we're training him but currently he's unsuitable to be out if company was here due to his safety of not being stepped on, and their safety as his nails, although cut, are quite painful.  :\

Toes and legs:

This is what I do.  Watch your ferret's body language.  Once you see him/her coming towards your feet.  Take you're finger and wave it in front of him, at the same time
tell him/her no.   Then immediately turn his/her attention to something else.  What I do is turn them over on their back and tickle their belly.  Then I chase after them and make a game out of it.  "Don't you bit mommie!     This works for us.  

Goal is to turn the behavior to a positive one, not a negative behavior.


I hope this helps.