12-30-2016, 07:10 PM
Took Finn and Sputnik driving today, each pulling their own cart. Sputnik was a good boy and did better than our last drive a few days ago. He seems to really "get it". Finn, on the other hand, gave Phil a pretty hard time. I'm not sure what exactly is going on with him--whether he just plain doesn't like driving, or if he's too herd bound to Sputnik, or if there's something wrong with Phil's technique. He doesn't seem sore or uncomfortable, but he's certainly not happy. I'm going to first see if I can find a treat he likes better than animal crackers--those have gotten very boring to him over the last few months. Them I'm going to take him out 2-3 times just by himself and I'm going to drive him instead of Phil and see what I come up with. Sputnik was wonderful the time I took him out alone and I think it's helped his driving ever since. I wonder if Finn will do better without the distraction of having another goat there. He goes well if he's headed back to the truck or if Sputnik is ahead of him, but he doesn't want to strike out on his own. I don't want him to become sour, so I feel I need to spend some one-on-one time with him and figure out what's wrong and then see if I can encourage him to enjoy his job instead of pouting and balking. Sputnik seems to have a great time, and it's sad if Finn isn't having fun too. Looks like I have a project ahead of me!