ferret walking

I currently own 3 ferrets. I recently had bought a leash and harness for them. Anybody have any experience with this training please let me know

Harness Training
 
 
 
I like to use an H-Harness that has quick-snap buckles on it. I don't like to use a harness with velcro material only. Velcro strips will get dirty eventually and will not stick. As long as you are comfortable with your harness and it’s fitted for your ferret, then feel free to use it.
 
Fitting your ferret for a harness: you should be able to put a finger in the harness in both the neck and the shoulder. Remember, you will have to adjust the harness in Spring and Fall, due to weight change. Always take the shoulder strap (strap behind the front legs) off first, before the neck strap. I found this true in the H-Harness. If you have a wiggly, squiggly ferret and take off the neck strap, then the shoulder strap (strap behind the front legs) is able to slip down towards the stomach area and will become very tight and hard to unclip.
 
Harness training should be done in the house. Let your ferret wear it around the house for five minutes one to two days.
 
Day 3–7: have your ferret wear the harness for ten minutes each day. If your ferret is very stressed out about wearing the harness, then just increase each day by one minute or so.

Remember, you have to watch them for ten minutes in the house, so that they don't get caught on something. If they decide to go under an item or furniture and they know they have been under this item, they will in turn dig to China. “Mom, why can’t I get under this table?” Plan on taking the time to play with your ferret while he/she is in the harness. This will also help them forget that the harness is on, and you know that your ferret will not be caught or hooked up on some object.
 
Take the time and purchase a name tag with the following information: name, address, and phone number. Attach your tag on the harness.
This will serve for two purposes: One, if the ferret gets lost outside while he/she is in their harness, the person locating him/her will have a contact name, address, and phone number to call; two, the sound from the tag on the harness will tell the ferret(s) that they will be going outside. Please put your ferret(s) in a harness when leaving the home for an outdoor walk or vet visit.

This works for my ferret and me, and I hope this will help other ferrets.

Time and patience will pay off. Don't fight with your ferret with harness training. Just pick another day; we all have our bad and good days.

Leash Training
 
 
 
I like to use the Flexi 2-5 under five lbs. leash. This leash will have two buttons on top of the leash.
 
I use the "Give and Take" technique. Do not use this technique if your ferret is running, only at a walk. If your ferret is going in another direction what you do is "take” by pushing down on the black button. This will stop the ferret in his/her track and they will have to find the "give" in the leash by going another direction. Once they find the “give” in the leash, then release the button to give. Remember to give to the ferret even though it’s not the direction you want them to go but a different direction. Don’t forget you are in a teaching process. Let him have a few straits on a give, then push down on the button for another take. They will learn soon on the give and take technique. It’s so easy, and the ferret will catch on pretty fast.
 
Be patient with your ferret. This will take some time. Your ferret is very busy checking out all the new things and smells in the area. Take it slow. You can always pick up your ferret and move to a different spot and try again –
confused animals never learn.
 
Find a nice, quiet area to walk your ferret. I take my ferrets up to the college where they have a nature trail. They are so used to this trail, they just trot on down it, and, of course, we have to check out our special areas to make sure nothing has changed. “Mom, who is digging in my hole here?”
 
This walk takes about forty-five minutes to an hour, but they love it. When we return home, they are so tired they fall asleep in their favorite nap area for a few hours.


Are you and your ferrets ready for the great outdoors? Getting ferrets ready for outdoors: your ferret should be updated on his/her shots: rabies and distemper. If you live in a high-mosquito area, then consult with your vet on heartworm preventative and flea protection.

Humans: Are we ready to take the ferrets outside? I only take one ferret outside by myself. This gives my full attention to the one ferret.
 
Remember, you want your full attention on that one ferret and also the surrounding area where your ferret will be traveling. You have to look out for birds of prey in the sky above: hawks, roaming dogs or animals in the area, or any other danger to your ferret. When a ferret is on a leash, stay close to him/her. You should be close enough to bend down and pick up your ferret in case of danger. One minute lost could mean harm to your ferret. Remember, you are protecting them; they have no fear of danger.

DO NOT bring your ferret out in HOT weather. Ferrets don’t like temperatures above 80 degrees. They do wear fur coats year round and exposing them to hot weather can cause heat stroke. Wait until evening time when it cools down to take your ferret for a walk.


You will be approached by other humans and small children while walking your ferret. If at all possible, don’t allow strangers to pet your animal. If there is a need for the stranger or child to pet your animal, please pick up the ferret and position him/her so that the human and child are petting your ferret’s rump, for safety reasons. You can never tell what a ferret might do. All animals can act in a strange way. Who knows if that child/human might have just finished a chicken dinner and still have the smell on his hand. “Mmmmm, something smells delicious here”…Chomp! 


Never have the child or human put their face into the ferret's face.  This is very threatening to both humans and animals.  Have respect.  I have my space, you have your space, stay of of my face.
Have fun in the great outdoors.