Just Need a few Questions Answered

[madelynmccabe]

UPDATE: My goats have improved so much, but are still very skittish. I can pet them while they are eating treats out of my hand, but once the treats are gone, they back away from my had and refuse to let me pet them. I have taken some advice from a family friend. She said to grab them and hold them for a long time until they calm down. I've done it once and now they are afraid to let me get anywhere near thier collars. I am at a loss at what to do for them. I want to be able to freely pet them so that trimming thier hooves, giving them medication, and overall care is easier. I also think that they would be WAY less stressed when I go out there to take care of them. I have lots fun plans for them later in life but I can't do it unless they are almost as friendly as a dog!! All of the other members of BYH have such friendly goats, I just wish I could get mine to act like that! Any advice would be great!!! I have had them for about 3 1/2 months now and have seemed to hit a dead end on thier friendliness. I know they are trying to be nice, but they don't know exactly how. Do I just need to give it more time? Or should I try a different technique?

Madelyn

 

[frustratedearthmother]

All of the other members of BYH have such friendly goats

Somebody forgot to TELL my GOATS that, lol! Actually, most of mine are pretty friendly - with a few more skittish than others. BUT, the one thing they all know is when I want to catch them. They are mind readers! If I want to feed them, they knock me over with their attention. If I want to get a picture, they stay under my feet so I can't get a good shot. If I want to distribute treats...they're all over me. If I want to catch one they all warn each other and they stay out of reach....grrrrr!

 

[NH homesteader]

Yes! Exactly! I would say as prey animals they don't love being caught and held. Freaks them out a bit. I have two doelings that couldn't care a bit (mini alpines, I don't know if it 's an alpine thing?) they run up to me even if I'm carrying hoof trimmers and needles. They don't care! However my current Nigies totally run away if I try to catch them. If it's up to them and I'm not looking to get them, they practically jump on me.

I did have two Nigies that remained skittish til the day I sold them. They went to a home with less craziness (I can't claim this is a calm honestead) but will probably always be standoffish. One of them was fine until I had to catch her for shots and I swear she never forgave me.

Anyway I would probably avoid the catching and holding thing. Make sure you're not overdoing it, give them grain and a quick pet and walk away and build up their comfort level. I don't know... I'm sure others have ideas but that's all I have!

 

[madelynmccabe]

@Green Acres Farm @NH homesteader @frustratedearthmother thank you for the advice! Sadly I don't have any trees in thier fence, but I'm sure that helped a ton with taming them. I wish we had a tree in there! It's just weird because they let me pet them with treats, but then it is somehow SO scary when I try to pet them without treats! I just don't know how to make the transition to petting with and without treats.

 

[NH homesteader]

Also take advantage of their curiosity. Hang out in their pen and they will try to figure out what you're doing. Read a book or write or whatever, sit in there and let them be interested. I'm sorry I don't remember how old they are and if I try to look my phone will lose what I've typed (technology! Ahh!) but people on here often raise goats from kids, which makes a difference. And most people have herds where a new animal comes in and takes cues from the other established animals. Don't feel bad yours are skittish, just be patient and keep trying.

 

[madelynmccabe]

@Green Acres Farm They are only 4 months old. So no kids yet! I would love for them to have kids, but definitely not before a year old. I've had them since they were 1 1/2 months old and they were like wild animals then, my goaties have come so far since then! I guess they are just trying to decide if they want to be petted without treats or not. Hopefully they decide that they do want to be petted without treats! Also, is it normal for them to take so long to warm up to people?

 

[TAH]

Call them by there names give them a treat as a reward. Halter training is a great way to train them to be okay with people. Just don't leave halters on all the time (They will litterly hate them forever).

 

[madelynmccabe]

Ok @TAH just a dog harness?

 

[madelynmccabe]

Or a horse one that goes on their face?

 

[TAH]

I was think a horse type but a dog harness would probably work better due to the fact they don't like things on there face. You may even try once they are broke taking them on walks daily it would help.