Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently inherited a chi mix, and i wasn't going to keep her, but then i feel in love. So now i have a dog! Does anyone have a good website for litterbox/puppy pad training? I've never done this b/c ive always owned collies, but this seems like a much easier option for me than walking down flights of stairs to walk her. Also i know chi's were originally bred to hunt rodents, and i have ferrets. Now note a ferret is not a rodent, they don't behave as a rodent would, but they certainly resemble one. When i say they dont behave like a rodent, they have more of a fight than a flight instinct. My moms 14lb cat was terrified of my less than one pound ferret kit because when he chased her, she turned around and chewed on his belly and when he tried to run away in fear she chased him squeaking her little head off thrilled at this new game she was playing. I don't think I've ever seen my old kitty look so shocked. The ferrets range in size from a little over a pound to about 3.5 lbs (yes hes a big boy). The ferrets are used to having about 4 hours to roam my apartment everyday (they spend the rest of their time in a large play pen) and i'd hate to take that away from them. I know every dog is different but i was wondering if anyone had tried to introduce a chi and a ferret before, and what their results were. Worst comes to worst ill just remove their food and litter box and put the dog in their play pen while they're out (its a huge playpen like i said) but im really hoping they can get along.

Ferrets are very hyperactive and can irritate dogs and cats. Ferrets do like to play rough with other animals and don't seem to have natural fear of them. However, if you have a dog that is gentle with other animals and has been exposed to small animals without incident, your dog may accept the ferret. Just be sure to give them an adjustment period and introduce them slowly. Keep your ferret in the cage and let your dog go up to the cage to sniff and check the ferret out. If your dog seems fine with the ferret, you can take the ferret out of the cage, hold the ferret and let your dog sniff it. It's not a good idea to let the ferret loose around your dog in the very beginning. The dog may see the ferret as a play toy or as prey.

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/pets/ferret-faq/part2/section-8.html
http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Friends-FUSA.htm
http://www.kturby.com/litter/litter.htm

I doubt the Chihuahua and ferrets would have trouble with each other. Supervise interactions obviously, but overall there shouldn't be problems. My shiba and ferrets tolerated each other and the ferrets rarely initiated a prey drive in the dog (and shibas have a high prey drive). Ferrets don't run like a rodent as you say and they don't back down from a fight readily either. Not worth the effort for most dogs. I did not let them have unsupervised interactions though and I treated lavishly for good behavior. Basically, it's no different from how you teach dogs and cats to tolerate each other. Chasing the cat gets no rewards, but being good around the cat gets treats and praise.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles