Pushy Goat!

[lapiloto]

Hi,

My 16 mth old wether (who is the sweetest goat on earth to me, at least... but not to his sisters!!) has begun pushing me. He has always rubbed his head on me, and his pushed a little now and then- however, in the last few months he has taken to really pushing hard. While not a full on butt, I feel that is coming on soon.. Now that he is 120 lbs, I am getting worried. I tell him a firm no, give him a little push in in his side and then get up and leave, fun time is over! What else can i do? I love spending time with him but don't want this behavior to become problematic.

 

[treeclimber233]

getting up and leaving is the worst thing you can do. He is trying to show dominance over you by pushing a little. Tomorrow it will be a little more. The next day a little more. I have found a foot on the shoulder and pushing them hard out of your way tells mine I am the lead goat and they need to move away from me.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I agree that he is trying to express his dominance over you. A good thump to the shoulder, ear flick, or spray with a bottle of water should send him a message that you are in charge.

 

[BarefootGoat]

If it gets bad, you can flip him on his back and sit on him gently until he stops struggling. You're not hurting him at all (unless you are, in which case be more gentle!) but he'll absolutely hate it, and it proves your dominance. Once he learns that that's what happens when he butts you, he'll probably stop.