Ferrets biting is quite common. Therefore, it is essential that you teach your ferret that it should only chew on toys, not people. With time, patience and perseverance you will surely get your ferret to bite only its toys, becoming a fun, safe and affectionate pet .
Use the carrier
Every time your ferret tries to bite you, place it in a carrier or cage for five minutes. This method usually works especially in small ferrets, because they are very playful and do not like to be alone. This will help them associate the bite with something negative (being alone in the cage or carrier).
Keep in mind that if you leave him alone for a long time he could fall asleep, so you should not leave him for more than five minutes. Your ferret should associate the cage with punishment, not with rest or nap time.
Distract him with toys
Ferrets (especially young) get excited when they play and begin to bite. If your ferret bites during play, give him a toy to use as a substitute. This will teach him to chew on toys and not people’s hands.
As time goes by, your ferret will get used to the toys and will give up his hands. Of course, under no circumstances should you hurt your ferret or yell at it while training it. If your ferret is afraid, it could bite you more and feel distrustful. Remember that ferrets are like little children, so they should see you as a loving figure.
Use a bitter apple spray
Ferrets hate the taste of bitter apple. For this reason, you could buy a training spray from a pet store. Spray a small amount on your hands, fingers, and ankles, as well as areas where your ferret likes to bite. This will undoubtedly make your ferret associate the bite with an unpleasant taste.
You can also buy it in other flavors (like lemon) or in pasta format. This is useful if your ferret likes to chew on its cage bars or ropes. Apply it to items to prevent your ferret from breaking them!
