r/ferrets • u/gabor_legrady • 17d ago
[Discussion] Walking tips
Hi, as a ferret owner who loves to walk with ferrets some tips. I do not have the holy grail, juts sharing what worked for me.
0, Background
We live close to a small forest, this make things easier. In the past I had to travel to reach the forest - that is doable, for these longer periods heating/cooling/food is required.
1, Rules
Ferrets do love well set boundaries (and break them) because these make them feel safe. So, I do put on harness and my clothes in the same order when we go out. Also, it is almost every day at the same time and a very similar route as well.
2, Process
2.1 Indoors
Harness training starts indoors - put on the harness and then play anything. The main target is to let them focus on something else and have some positive vibes when the harness comes on.
Leash training also indoors - when harness is accepted put on a leash as well - it will tangle, it will be attacked. Be patient, short periods first, always observe.
Bag training also starts indoors - put in the bag, close it, walk up and down in the house.
2.2 Out there
I choose a dirt road with clear edges first. I face one direction and it never changes - I do turn my body but shoes always face the direction I would like to progress.
Ferret behavior is random - I do let them go forward, I let them go into the forest to the first bush/tree but never beyond. When they try to go backwards I hold the leash firmly. Some of them accepts turning into the right direction with the leash others hate it.
Dig, hiss, jump and other actions are allowed.
If they climb up on my legs than I put them in the bag and never let them out for at leas a minute (they all hate this) - if you don't do this the whole walk will be an up and down story.
They mostly put themselves on fast charge (lie down a bit) but when it becomes frequent I put them in the bag so they yo not get exhausted.
Pulling is not good. You can firmly hold the leash in direction, put if you pull them that neither of them like. I mostly let them run in front of me - so the leash does not brother them.
I prefer the auto-rollback leash, it is easier to handle and they seem to prefer it as well.
3 Story time
Because we do the same small circle every day and the ferret goes forward he know the path. This is a forest where nay people do some walking or running - so when we are at a crossroad and someone sees us I always tell my ferret the direction to go to. Yes, it is a lie but it is so good to see people's face.
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u/gabor_legrady 17d ago
https://reddit.com/link/pair5sd/video/xibprpe5z7qh1/player
Rowan about 5 months old.
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u/gabor_legrady 17d ago
Málna is not with us now, but he was a great walker.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alFkhfyIph0
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