Crazy goat behaviors...

[CocoNUT]

Ok...I wanted to know what's going on with my girls...they apparently will ONLY nip and 'climb' me. I do the "ignoring" thing when they do...but I'm trying to figure out why they ONLY do this with me. My husband has never even had the exploratory 'tasting'...and neither has my child. They don't push or butt me or anything...just nip and sometimes try to get up on me.

I am the main feeder and do most of the loving/grooming of my goats. I know they'll sometimes challenge each other for my attention.

 

[DonnaBelle]

They love you the most!!

Mine do the same thing. They don't get "affectionate" with anyone but me.

Sometimes Lenora will come up behind me and put her face in my side and rub back and forth in a loving manner.

Animals KNOW which ones love them.\

DonnaBelle

 

[CocoNUT]

Wow! that's what my hubby said. I just thought it was kinda funny that they think I'm a jungle gym and tastey treat!

 

[Catahoula]

Mine do that too. Sometimes the nibble really hurts. Walter climbs on me but I have to discourage it. He is only about 50 lbs now but when he is full grown, he could be 200+...and that won't not good.

 

[elevan]

It is a way for them to show you that they love you. But you should really nip the "nibbling" in the bud. "Bite" them back by pinching their hind quarters sharply when they do it. That works better than ignoring for eliminating that behavior.

 

[DonnaBelle]

I think Emily's right. I have a little 4 month old doeling who is super friendly. She loves to be petted. If I pet someone else, heaven forbid, she starts nibbling/nipping me. I've got to break her of that!!

A little pinch on her backside might work do you think??

DonnaBelle

 

[SmallFarmGirl]

Yes, they love you.

Now nip the nipping by the bud like they said. My doe, betty, will rub her head against my leg for love!
She's not rough, but she'll gently rub her head against my leg till I pet her. Kisses eats my hair and tries to sit on me. It's just their form of love!

 

[LadyIsabelle2011]

LOL, my girls do the EXACT same thing to me! They love to climb and nibble on me(isabelle will even reach up to give me goat kisses), it's cute but can become a real problem, especially when I have to bend down and pic something up(I've ended with a goat on my back more than once doing this ...I suppose I should be thankful that I chose ND's instead of Boers )

 

[mama24]

I slap my girls on the rump when they get too rough. Goats are smart, they learn quickly!

 

[Catahoula]

I slap my girls on the rump when they get too rough. Goats are smart, they learn quickly!

That's what my breeder suggested too. At first I felt bad because they are just babies. If you watch how hard they push each other around, a little slap or push doesn't hurt them. They do eventually get the message....even if you have push them off many many times.