Driving Lessons

[DownUnder Gal]

Thanks Nanno!

I have always endeavoured to make our lessons fun, even out on the road. I know that if Koby doesn't enjoy the trip overall, he's not going to want to come out. Part of my attempts to elevate the enjoyment factor was bringing my partner and his dog, who Koby likes and feels safe with. On the way back to the house is where Koby gets to snack on my terms, whether we are ground driving or I am leading him from his head. When I mentioned ignoring bad behaviour, perhaps I should have said I don't punish bad behaviour. I definitely don't just let him pull me over to the side of the road where the grass is without trying to resist, but he is stronger than me. I will try your method - see below for my ideas. 

After considering all of the advice from yourself and Sabine, I think I will try a combination of (i) targeting; and (ii) confining our ground driving lessons, for the next few weeks at least, to the paddock from where the goats have just been moved. It's flat, the grass is low, it's not too far from the other goats and it's familiar territory for Koby. I see now that I need to upskill myself and gain more of Koby's confidence before attempting to take him back out on the road and all of the distractions that comes with that environment. I will stick with the driving halter for the foreseeable future.  Once we are both confident I might take him in the trailer somewhere quiet and see how he goes.  I will remove the dog from the equation, because in the paddock environment she just wants to play and is merely a distraction.

Thanks for all your help, I will keep you posted with progress as well as the other training challenges I will no doubt throw your way for advice!