Hippie has truly changed and become a people ferret.  Not only does he notice us more, he now seems to enjoy interacting with us.  Here is is looking at me from behind a sneaker.  Know what he’s doing?  He’s trying to communicate with me, a great improvement over the way he used to behave, which was to either ignore or run from us.  Here’s how I changed him from a nervous shelter survivor to a relaxed pet ferret.

I know there’s something manipulative and trickster-ish about it, but giving your ferret treats will make him a more cuddly fellow, and also more attentive to you.  As they begin to associate you with delicious food, they’ll make a point of keeping tabs on you.  Also, if you hold your ferret while giving a treat, he’ll become more accustomed to being held.

A ferret’s treat-inspired awareness of you means that he will no longer be satisfied with the game of chance when it comes to treats.  With his newly gained knowledge that humans are good for treats in certain locations and at certain times, he’ll try to become more proactive.  Now you’ve got a ferret who will try and place himself in the right place at the right time, hoping to increase his chances of something good to eat.

In this picture, Hippie has poised himself in the shadows near the door to the kitchen.  See?  you just can’s miss him if you’re on your way to open the fridge.