| Leash Training - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Frank |
I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained. Their
harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
catch them even in the house?
There was an article in Ferrets Magazine "train you ferret to walk on
a leash". Anyone know what issue this is in? It was marked 5th
anniversary issue.
I may have to remodel their harnesses to fit a little tighter, but am
concerned about being too tight.
The harnesses have a ring around the neck and another around the
chest.
The both girls are about 1 year old now. Any ideas on leash training
appreciated.
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| Brian S. |
make it fun for them. first put on only the harness and make them happy with
a treat. then when they get used to it hook on the leash and take them for a
little walk and give them a treat. then everytime they hear the leash
getting out of the drawer they get happy. that is how i did it with Mr.
Wilson. he would love to hear the leash bell. he was so good that a lap
around the block he would know which house was his and run to the door to go
and get a drink. make it fun and interesting. as would a ferret right?
brian s.
"Frank" <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote in message
news:42407580.C414B4F3@oakgrovedesigns.net...
>
> I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
> training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
> slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained. Their
> harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
> harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
> catch them even in the house?
>
> There was an article in Ferrets Magazine "train you ferret to walk on
> a leash". Anyone know what issue this is in? It was marked 5th
> anniversary issue.
>
> I may have to remodel their harnesses to fit a little tighter, but am
> concerned about being too tight.
> The harnesses have a ring around the neck and another around the
> chest.
>
> The both girls are about 1 year old now. Any ideas on leash training
> appreciated.
>
> Frank.
>
> --
> * Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
> * Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
> * Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
> * Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| Jim Higgins |
On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 11:44:01 -0800, in
<42407580.C414B4F3@oakgrovedesigns.net>, Frank
<spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>
>I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
>training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
>slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained. Their
>harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
>harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
>catch them even in the house?
>
>There was an article in Ferrets Magazine "train you ferret to walk on
>a leash". Anyone know what issue this is in? It was marked 5th
>anniversary issue.
>
>I may have to remodel their harnesses to fit a little tighter, but am
>concerned about being too tight.
>The harnesses have a ring around the neck and another around the
>chest.
>
>The both girls are about 1 year old now. Any ideas on leash training
>appreciated.
No specific ideas except that if the harness effectively has a
collar around the neck, I wouldn't leave them in it unsupervised,
or in any situation where they could get into a place where you
can't reach them. Ferrets generally will accelerate the choking
process by panicking if the harness gets hung on something and
things can go downhill from there really, really fast.
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| Frank |
Thanks for the comments and suggestions.
I ran a Google search for Ferret Leash Training and found lots more.
Particularly a Ferret is a leader not a follower like a Dog. I can
accept that.
I did see locally a man with a Ferret following him. The ferret got
tired in the middle of the street and did the Speed Bump thing. The
man had to pick it up. That Ferret was a follower.....
Generally though seems part of leash training is rewarding them with
treats for deeds well done.
Frank.
Jim Higgins wrote:
>
> On Tue, 22 Mar 2005 11:44:01 -0800, in
> <42407580.C414B4F3@oakgrovedesigns.net>, Frank
> <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote:
>
> >
> >I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
> >training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
> >slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained. Their
> >harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
> >harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
> >catch them even in the house?
> >
> >There was an article in Ferrets Magazine "train you ferret to walk on
> >a leash". Anyone know what issue this is in? It was marked 5th
> >anniversary issue.
> >
> >I may have to remodel their harnesses to fit a little tighter, but am
> >concerned about being too tight.
> >The harnesses have a ring around the neck and another around the
> >chest.
> >
> >The both girls are about 1 year old now. Any ideas on leash training
> >appreciated.
>
> No specific ideas except that if the harness effectively has a
> collar around the neck, I wouldn't leave them in it unsupervised,
> or in any situation where they could get into a place where you
> can't reach them. Ferrets generally will accelerate the choking
> process by panicking if the harness gets hung on something and
> things can go downhill from there really, really fast.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| ..brian.. |
Frank wrote:
> I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
> training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
> slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained.
Their
> harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
> harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
> catch them even in the house?
What kind of harness do you have? My little girl was the only one who
could slip out of my harness, but I was not getting it tight enough. I
only buy harnesses like the one made by Marshalls--I have never had a
good experience with any other type. I always get them online at
Petsmart, because they do not sell it at the local store.
Petsmart link: [http://snipurl.com/dm7e]
I have one ferret who is a natural "leash friendly" ferret and can take
him *anywhere* on the leash; he is happy to wander around with me. The
other two are not as "leash friendly" and tend to forget who the boss
is ;-) They like to explore bushes, holes, and anything else
interesting. I can usually whistle at those two and say, "come on,"
and they will follow me. It has not always been that way though, and I
believe they are better today because of how often I take them outside
(nearly every night). I think practice is the key to them getting use
to being on a leash -- maybe you can start inside your house, and then
gradually build up more time outside.
--
Brian
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
My suggestion is getting a quality 'H' style harness. You should be able to
slip the tip of your little finger in between the harness and the ferret on
both the neck strap and the body strap. I start off with just the harness
to let the ferret get used to the feel of it being on. Do this in the house
and in a room where you can get to your ferret. Once they're comfortable
(and keep in mind that not all ferrets like harnesses or walking on a
leash), you can add the leash. Let them drag it around a little (making
sure that they're supervised and that they don't get snagged on anything).
I would say if you work with them everyday you could have them ready to go
outside in a few weeks. Always remember to check for weight gain and loss
before you put the harness on. Ferrets flucuate in the spring and fall so
you may need to adjust the harness. Start off slow and just around your
yard. In most cases I think you'll be the follower, I know I am. Depending
on where you live be wary of predators. And on hot days don't stay out
long, or let your weasel walk on hot concrete. Hope this helps some!
Holly
p.s.
Out of the six ferrets I've had over the years only two enjoy walking on a
leash.
"Frank" <spamtrap@oakgrovedesigns.net> wrote in message
news:42407580.C414B4F3@oakgrovedesigns.net...
>
> I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
> training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
> slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained. Their
> harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
> harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
> catch them even in the house?
>
> There was an article in Ferrets Magazine "train you ferret to walk on
> a leash". Anyone know what issue this is in? It was marked 5th
> anniversary issue.
>
> I may have to remodel their harnesses to fit a little tighter, but am
> concerned about being too tight.
> The harnesses have a ring around the neck and another around the
> chest.
>
> The both girls are about 1 year old now. Any ideas on leash training
> appreciated.
>
> Frank.
>
> --
> * Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
> * Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
> * Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
> * Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| Frank |
Jason and Holly Harper wrote:
>
> My suggestion is getting a quality 'H' style harness. You should be able to
> slip the tip of your little finger in between the harness and the ferret on
> both the neck strap and the body strap. I start off with just the harness
> to let the ferret get used to the feel of it being on. Do this in the house
> and in a room where you can get to your ferret. Once they're comfortable
> (and keep in mind that not all ferrets like harnesses or walking on a
> leash), you can add the leash. Let them drag it around a little (making
> sure that they're supervised and that they don't get snagged on anything).
> I would say if you work with them everyday you could have them ready to go
> outside in a few weeks. Always remember to check for weight gain and loss
> before you put the harness on. Ferrets flucuate in the spring and fall so
> you may need to adjust the harness. Start off slow and just around your
> yard. In most cases I think you'll be the follower, I know I am. Depending
> on where you live be wary of predators. And on hot days don't stay out
> long, or let your weasel walk on hot concrete. Hope this helps some!
>
> Holly
>
> p.s.
> Out of the six ferrets I've had over the years only two enjoy walking on a
> leash.
This is my first ownership of Ferrets, or the other way around, and
both are about one year old.
They are both very individuals, so I am wondering if I will ever get
them to go outside together,
I have a Marshalls "H" harness that still seems too big for either
Fert, hence I plan on modifying it a little smaller. They can easily
slip out of it now, which I would not trust outside.
I will try harness alone awarding with treats.
On a web site I found the following suggestion.... If you are unsure
of the sidewalk temperature, walk bare footed yourself and see what
the Ferts feel.
Thank you for the advice;
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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| ..brian.. |
Frank wrote:
> Jason and Holly Harper wrote:
> >
> > My suggestion is getting a quality 'H' style harness. You should
be able to
> > slip the tip of your little finger in between the harness and the
ferret on
> > both the neck strap and the body strap. I start off with just the
harness
> > to let the ferret get used to the feel of it being on. Do this in
the house
> > and in a room where you can get to your ferret. Once they're
comfortable
> > (and keep in mind that not all ferrets like harnesses or walking on
a
> > leash), you can add the leash. Let them drag it around a little
(making
> > sure that they're supervised and that they don't get snagged on
anything).
> > I would say if you work with them everyday you could have them
ready to go
> > outside in a few weeks. Always remember to check for weight gain
and loss
> > before you put the harness on. Ferrets flucuate in the spring and
fall so
> > you may need to adjust the harness. Start off slow and just around
your
> > yard. In most cases I think you'll be the follower, I know I am.
Depending
> > on where you live be wary of predators. And on hot days don't stay
out
> > long, or let your weasel walk on hot concrete. Hope this helps
some!
> >
> > Holly
> >
> > p.s.
> > Out of the six ferrets I've had over the years only two enjoy
walking on a
> > leash.
>
> This is my first ownership of Ferrets, or the other way around, and
> both are about one year old.
>
> They are both very individuals, so I am wondering if I will ever get
> them to go outside together,
>
> I have a Marshalls "H" harness that still seems too big for either
> Fert, hence I plan on modifying it a little smaller. They can easily
> slip out of it now, which I would not trust outside.
>
> I will try harness alone awarding with treats.
>
> On a web site I found the following suggestion.... If you are unsure
> of the sidewalk temperature, walk bare footed yourself and see what
> the Ferts feel.
>
> Thank you for the advice;
Someone makes the exact same style, but it has Velcro instead of the
buckles. Those work well on smaller ferrets, and are very easy to put
on too. Some people say the Velcro is not strong enough for larger
ferrets, but the one I have is pretty dang strong.
--
Brian
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| Bill Leary |
"Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
news:GIz0e.106$CR5.24260@monger.newsread.com...
> And on hot days don't stay out
> long, or let your weasel walk on hot concrete.
Additional comment on potentially hot things.
Concrete, pavement, even wood and dirt can get surprisingly hot even on days
that you may not think are all that hot. I generally go out barefoot myself
when I'm walking mine outdoors around the house so my own feet will be telling
me instantly what their feet and bellies are encountering.
In cases where that's not workable, I either carry them across the pavement or
whatever or check the temperature with my hand to make sure it's cool enough for
them before letting them walk on it.
- Bill
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| Frank |
"..brian.." wrote:
>
> Frank wrote:
> > I had waited for the fuzzies to grow a little before starting leash
> > training. Now am wondering how to go about it. Both of then easily
> > slip out of the harness, as they sort of panic being restrained.
> Their
> > harness is adjusted to the minimum size. Perhaps I should try the
> > harness alone without the leash, but if they panic will I be able to
> > catch them even in the house?
>
> What kind of harness do you have? My little girl was the only one who
> could slip out of my harness, but I was not getting it tight enough. I
> only buy harnesses like the one made by Marshalls--I have never had a
> good experience with any other type. I always get them online at
> Petsmart, because they do not sell it at the local store.
>
> Petsmart link: [http://snipurl.com/dm7e]
>
> I have one ferret who is a natural "leash friendly" ferret and can take
> him *anywhere* on the leash; he is happy to wander around with me. The
> other two are not as "leash friendly" and tend to forget who the boss
> is ;-) They like to explore bushes, holes, and anything else
> interesting. I can usually whistle at those two and say, "come on,"
> and they will follow me. It has not always been that way though, and I
> believe they are better today because of how often I take them outside
> (nearly every night). I think practice is the key to them getting use
> to being on a leash -- maybe you can start inside your house, and then
> gradually build up more time outside.
> --
> Brian
The harness I have is a "H" from Marshall, but the Ferrets are a year
old now and can still easily slip out of it. Solution is modify it a
little smaller.
As you say though, each Fert is an individual and unpredictable as to
how they will accept a Harness and Leash.
They don't mind going out in a pet carrier perhaps they feel more
secure.
Thanks Brian;
Frank.
--
* Never forget 9/11 and the cost of FREEDOM! 'Tedra' *
* Personal Page: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/ *
* Old Mill China: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/oldmill *
* Johnson Brothers Book: http://oakgrovedesigns.net/jbbook2 *
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