How can I train my ferret to come to me?

Question

I have a 2 year old ferret, and although she is very tame, she doesn't know to come when I call her and that is a hassle when she's out playing with my cats. How can I teach her this? Will it be more difficult because I've had her a while? Thanks =)

Answer 1

Scents or sounds and rewards.

Most of ours will come to a squeak toy we have but some prefer a bell. Our least responsive one for coming when called loves her toy mousie on a "fishing pole" and the jingle bell on it helps but when the cord has been dipped into rose oil that scent really brings her.

You can also name favored rewards and teach them the words by repetition and reward. The word "treat" is always a pleasant one to teach.

Most ferrets learn their names well, esp. if there is a reward for doing so during training.

Ferrets do become intensely focused on their activities, though, and when they want to ignore a person they will. Long ago -- it must be about 18 years now -- for 6 weeks after i had major surgery they obeyed everything I said but ignored my hubby if busy. When my incision was finally fully closed they felt that i was well enough to be ignored, so I guess everything has a silver lining.

Answer 2

Try wetting her food and getting it soggy attach a leash to her and when she comes praise her and give her the food. This is very affective. It is cool that you are trying to train a more thought to be trainless animal i have a turtle and i taught her to lift up her shell on que all that matters is finding something the animal will work for. Good Luck!!

Answer 3

I would imagine if it is trainable that you could do it the same way you would a dog. Put it on a lead and walk away (you may need someone to hold it until you move away), then call its name and tug slightly. When it comes to you, give it a treat. Repeat until it gets the idea then practice without the lead.

Answer 4

Whistle each time you feed him, then when he comes to that start giving him small treats each time he comes to you

Answer 5

I have 4 ferrets and have trained them all to come to a squeak toy - this is great because whenever they hide or fall asleep in awkward places I'm guaranteed to find them.
I started by just squeaking the toy, ferrets will usually be interested in the high pitched noise and come to find out what it is, as soon as they come to you give them their favourite treat (ferretone is great for a training aid). If they don't come straight away, just squeak it near them and when they look up give them the treat.
It really didn't take long to teach them this. You can teach them to come to their name in the same way, just call their name and if they come to you give them a treat, this may take a little longer but they will associate the sound of their name with a treat.
Good luck - hope it works xx

Answer 6

You should have started training her at a younger age,But you could try using treats for encouragement.

Answer 7

Call her name, or hold your hand down and do a wave motion. She'll notice it and come to you, everytime she does award her with treats.

with patience and time (lots) she'll learn to come to you and be sad because you dont have any treats but you do have lots of love hehe

Answer 8

Try offering treats. If you say 'come', and offer a treat that she can smell, she should come. If she does, give her the treat, and she will get used to coming when you call her.

Answer 9

I never really trained mine when I had one,but ..... mine loved peanut butter, and he always made himself present when I opened a jar of it.

However you might want to make sure it is safe to feed them peanut butter, I never really thought of it being unsafe till now .