Question about taming goats

[freemotion]

pattyjean, can you take the shy one out by itself for some one-on-one time with you, without all the competition? I have been taking my little doeling out on a leash each day, and I "prune" the edible trees in the yard for her, and she recognizes it as our special time and comes running and calls me constantly now. Even if she hears my voice all the way from inside the house, she will run to the gate and call to me.

I don't let her eat from the trees, I make her wait for me to pick branches and leaves for her, so it is clear that the special treats come through me.

She just can't compete with the older does for my attention in the group yet. She'll get bonked, especially if I favor her with treats in the group setting.

 

[FarmerMack]

She just can't compete with the older does for my attention in the group yet. She'll get bonked, especially if I favor her with treats in the group setting.

Interesting how we notice the one getting (boinked) and that one seems to get extra "treats". My current is little Orion the runt of the litter, a portly little pygora.

 

[pattyjean73]

freemotion,

That is a great idea. In fact, I almost mentioned on my last post that I think the reason she is taking so long to befriend is due to the older bigger doe butting her away all the time. But I think she's shy by nature too. I'll give that a try. Just not sure she's going to let me lead her on a leash yet. It'll give me something to work with on her though. Thanks for the idea.

 

[freemotion]

freemotion,

That is a great idea. In fact, I almost mentioned on my last post that I think the reason she is taking so long to befriend is due to the older bigger doe butting her away all the time. But I think she's shy by nature too. I'll give that a try. Just not sure she's going to let me lead her on a leash yet. It'll give me something to work with on her though. Thanks for the idea.

Start with a collar and leash when she is occupied with food, if possible, to get her used to the feel of it. Don't let her pull back or away from you.....if she does (and she will) be sure to encircle her with your arms so she can't yank on the leash at this stage and become frightened or even injured. Repeat this lesson at least once a day, just a few minutes, like 3-5, and always end on a good note.

When that goes well, start with a gentle tug sideways, getting her to step towards you, in each direction. A short tug and release, never a steady pull. Don't give her something to pull against, just pull her softly off-balance so she has to step towards you, then praise and reward. Repeat this lesson a few times, at least once a day, maybe 5 minutes or so each lesson.

When that is going well, you can start walking and stopping. Use your arm to guide her forward and use a command word such as "walk!" said brightly and in an upward tone. I always use an upward tone for increased movement commands (upward transitions, in horse vernacular) and a downward tone for slowing down or stopping commands (downward transitions.) This speeds up the understanding, as animals grasp body language first, tone second, actual words third, if at all.

Just a few steps and a couple of stops at first. By now you might be able to have her roam the yard on the leash, with her choosing where to go mostly at first. As long as she is not fighting the leash and panicking at all. Spend the first few minutes on lessons, then some free roaming (on leash) and then end with a couple of commands. I also use a tastey treat for the initial lessons....a goat will follow a fresh branch from an apple tree!

Before you know it, she will be ready to enter the local dog obedience trials!!!

eta: When you use the leash to ask her to step forward, use gentle tug and release, like a pulse, sort of, and release the annoying tugging the MOMENT she steps forward. Reward even one foot placed forward at first. Same with stopping, use a tug and release, not a steady pull. A steady pull invites a fight, and who wants to lead any animal, goat, dog, horse, who constantly pulls on your poor shoulders?

In the beginning, use your arm to guide her forward, as she will want to pull back at the tug on the leash. She has to be conditioned with many repetitions that the way to get rid of the tug is to step TOWARDS it. This is the most important lesson she will learn about the leash.

Have fun!

 

[pattyjean73]

Very much like leash breaking a dog. I can handle that! Thanks.