In the fourth step of training a ferret to shake a paw, the treat is still held above an open hand, but now the treat is held in the fingertips rather than a closed hand. However, the ferret is confused by this step and no longer reaches out with his paw. While it seems that the training isn't working out at this point, this simply illustrates that the ferret isn't ready to move on to this step and more time needs to be spent on the previous step. With more time, the paw lifting will become more automatic, and eventually when the owner moves back to this step the ferret will still lift its paw. Though this is the end of the series, the idea would be to simply move the treat farther away from the open hand, and eventually only reward the ferret for touching the open hand with its paw. A verbal cue (e.g. "shake a paw") can be added too. (Return to the video training series: http://exoticpets.about.com/od/ferretcare/qt/ferretshakeapaw.htm)
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