Ferret training takes time and effort, but the end results are well worth the energy you invest. You’ll be a more relaxed owner with a pet that behaves, and the ferret will be happier when it knows what you expect. Of course, your ferret will also be thrilled with the treats you use during training.
Using Treats As A Training Device
Treats are a big part of ferret training. Ferretone, the vitamin supplement for ferrets, makes a good training treat because ferrets usually love the stuff. However, too many vitamins can be bad for your pet, so try to use another treat as well, and use only a drop at a time of the Ferretone. Correction is the other key to training your pet. Hitting and other harsh physical corrections are a bad idea. Instead use deterrents such as your firm voice, moving the ferret away from a problem situation, and a bad-tasting spray such as Bitter Apple.
Handling Squirming
With a young, untrained animal, you’ll want to start with the most basic ferret training exercise: holding. Ferrets will naturally wiggle and squirm shortly after you pick them up, but if you want a loving, cuddly pet, you need to train your ferret to let you hold it. Reward your ferret when it rests in your arms or on your lap, giving it treats, love and soft words of praise. If your pet is especially wiggly, make sure it doesn’t need to use the litter box. Also, if you pick up your pet right after a nap or a long time in the cage, it may be squirmy because it needs to run around and use up some of its energy. For a ferret, learning to sit quietly does not happen overnight. Practice holding your ferret several times a day for a few minutes at a time. Regular and frequent holding, with tiny treats, will help your ferret develop into a loving, affectionate pet who enjoys being held.
Handling Nipping
Nipping can be a big problem with both young ferrets and older, poorly handled ones. Through regular ferret training, you can eliminate the nipping issue. When your pet nips, hold it by the scruff of the neck, facing you, and give it a firm “No.” If it continues to nip afterwards, try a firm “No” and a very soft tap on the nose. Or, you can act the way a mother ferret would and grab your pet by the scruff, give it a tiny, gentle shake and hiss at it. Another way to handle nipping is to spray Bitter Apple or a similar repellent on your hands. If the ferret gets a nasty taste in its mouth every time it bites, it will learn to stop biting. These same techniques also work for toe or foot biting. However, if you don’t want your ferret to nip when you walk by, don’t ever encourage your pet to play with or attack your feet. Then your pet will be confused about whether feet are for biting or not.
Using A Litter Box
Litter box use is usually an aspect of ferret training that owners don’t have to contend with, because ferrets have already been using a litter box at the pet store or shelter. House training is likely necessary, though. Most ferrets get too busy playing outside of their cages and don’t think about running back into the cage to use the litter box. Having a second box in the play area is a good idea. Put a few of your pet’s droppings in the second box and put it in a corner of the room, because ferrets naturally prefer corners for doing their business. Put your pet in the new box and give it a treat. Watch the first few times your ferret is out in the room and grab it when it heads for the wrong corner, then put it in the litter box. Remember to offer a treat after your pet does its business. If your ferret really prefers a different corner, just move the litter box there.
Coming When It's Called 
Other tricks can be learned through regular ferret training, like coming when you call your pet’s name or running to you when you use a squeak toy. Treats are the key. Show your pet the treat, then squeak the toy or call its name. When it comes, give it the treat and praise. Your pet will learn to always come to the sound of the squeak toy or its name because it will get a snack. Be consistent and your ferret will too.
Carry Pouches
Ferret training with treats is also the way to get your pet to ride in a pouch for trips with you. Give your ferret snacks, love and attention while it stays politely in the carry pouch. Use a firm “No” when it squirms to get out, and practice this in progressively longer sessions. Soon you’ll be able to cart your ferret around without a struggle, usually with your pet curled up asleep in the pouch.
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