Training a terrier with ferrets???

[Rich.h 4]

Hoping some folks can give some tips on an issue. Obviously terriers have a good prey drive and love to shake the crap out of things (ideal for rat control and bushing). But if I were to take my terrier out ferreting how do I first aclimatise him to the ferrets? How can I make sure that he won't come bounding upto me happily wagging holding a limp ferret that was mistaken?

 

I'm taking a guess this will involve starting very very young and having them spend alot of time together, however this causes me worries in so far as playing with the dog to get him to hunt and shake could well transfer over to the ferret when they are socialising?

 

Anyone got something at least 50% fullproof to ensure I only pickup rat/rabbit bodies when out?

[matthews 88 77]

make sure there socialising well together bring the terrier and the ferret out on your walks and when the terrier marks a hole drop the ferret in and maybe somthin will bolt the terrier will soon find out that when ferret goes in somthing comes out they will soon work as a team

[patterdalejoel 669]

my terrier cross has been around ferrets and not bothered them since 8 weeks old. she knows the difference when ferreting if she is expecting a bolt and a ferret comes out she ignores it completly. she still has preydrive for rabbits and i dont know about rats but im sure she'd have a go. some people bolt rats with ferrets to terriers. dogs arnt stupid its about learning. good luck