u/saltycrowsers

We have a ferret, Poppy, who has been able to escape every enclosure we’ve had. We now have a plexiglass one that’s two levels high that we finally thought we had outsmarted her.

We also have a very dumb Anatolian Shepherd dog who is enamored with the ferrets. We always keep them separated but they could interact through the glass.

I started noticing my dog has been showing more interest in the ferrets (she sees them as her flock and check on them when she does her rounds). I also started noticing a stray kibble outside the enclosure. I asked my daughter to be more tidy feeding them and she kept insisting she always sweeps up after.

Today, Poppy’s plan came to fruition before my very eyes. I heard a little commotion. She had dropped a kibble right in the crack of the door and my dog was pawing it at. By the time I came around, there was a very happy dog (all she wants is the ferrets to love her, but we don’t let them interact outside of saying high through the glass) and 3/4 ferrets running around. Meanwhile our not smart ferret and the goodest of the boys was sitting there looking at the open door and just sniffing the dog, not escaping.

I feel like Poppy set this in motion days ago, essentially training the dog to come to the exact side of the door opening and expecting a kibble.

Ferrets are smart. My poor dog looked so confused at the commotion that came after.