Chat
07-13-2016, 11:13 AM
Casdog1, I hope you don't mind if I move this thread down to the training section. The support section is more for technical problems with the website. I'll move it later after you see this post so you don't think it disappeared.
I've only had one goat that had to get used to the pack, and that's my shy boy, Sputnik. Everyone else accepted it without so much as a second glance. I took a rather different approach than Sabine. I spent all of Sputnik's life trying to bond with him, but he was not only still shy but also had a rather violent aversion to being touched, particularly behind the shoulder. He's always loved treats so I used food and never petting or scratching as a reward. Goats that like to be touched can be petted and scratched as a reward, so know your animal. I did not slowly work Sputnik up to accepting the saddle--I tried that approach and got nowhere at all. In fact, I was making him worse. So I switched to a more high-handed approach. I tied him fairly short with a halter so I could control his head and so he couldn't whack me with his horns. Butting is Sputnik's "go-to" defense mechanism when he feels threatened but can't flee, so I took that away from him first thing. I did not spend any time petting him or rubbing him with the saddle since he doesn't like to be touched and I wanted to respect that. He had learned the "Whoa!" command previously and he also was quite familiar with being tied by a halter, so I knew that he would not be scared by the restraint and I also knew that he *could* stand when told "Whoa." Then I set the saddle on his back and cinched it down snug but not tight. He danced around at first and it took him almost no time at all to figure out that if he squished himself hard against the fence I couldn't place the saddle properly and would have to start over. To fix this I went around to Sputnik's tail, wedged myself between his hindquarters and the fence and physically made him move while using the voice command "Step over!" Then I praised and gave a treat. Once he was standing where I wanted him I said, "Whoa!", gave a treat, and began again. He will still occasionally squish himself against a fence, but it's rare now, and generally only when we haven't practiced for a while.
Once Sputnik was saddled (or harnessed in our case), I rewarded and walked him around and had him do a few commands with the stuff on so he could get comfortable wearing it. When I first had a saddle on him I let him out to browse with the other goats while wearing it so he could learn that it's no big deal. Sputnik was physically shaking from fear when I first put the saddle on him, and I was a little afraid that I might traumatize him, but I quickly discovered that what Sputnik really needed was a firm, confident hand. The more I took it easy on him, pussyfooted around, tried not to startle him, etc. the more nervous and disobedient he became. My fear of startling him was startling him! I don't believe in intimidating an animal into obedience, but some animals definitely need a bold, confident leader who will tell them what to do and then make them do it even if they don't want to at first. Once I made it clear to Sputnik that I wasn't afraid of his fear and that nothing I did actually hurt him, it was like a switch went on in his head and he suddenly started trusting me. It's a process, of course, and once in a while he still reverts to his spooky old anti-social self, but for the most part he now likes to be with me, he comes eagerly when called, follows me around, and even likes to be scratched a little bit (something I thought could never happen). He no longer startles at all when being saddled or harnessed, and he seems to really enjoy having a job. He believes that since I'm strong and confident enough to be his boss, I must be strong and confident enough to protect him from the things that make him afraid, and it's made him a much bolder, happier, and friendlier goat.
I also have worked with friends' goats who refused to accept a saddle because they were spoiled and aggressive. They weren't afraid of the saddle, but they bucked and jumped and tried to butt when approached with it. It was not pain related--it was disrespect for people that caused these goats to behave poorly when asked to accept something new in their lives. One of them was so bad I told my friend I wasn't going to work with him until she had gentled him properly and taught him some manners. He was huge and dangerous and she didn't even realize it until we pushed him out of his comfort zone a little bit by introducing a harness. Another goat was only a little spoiled and he settled the minute we put a halter on him to control his head and then made him stand and accept the saddle. The second we had control of his head, he realized we had control of his horns and of his attitude and he wisely settled right down.
Think about why your goats are not accepting the equipment and then go from there. Distrust, disrespect, or discomfort are usually the culprits. Make sure your equipment fits properly and is placed correctly--not riding up on the shoulder blades, pinching the withers, or banging the hip bones. Distrust is usually fairly obvious and can be overcome by confident, consistent handling, clear instructions, and frequent rewards. Disrespect can be a lot more subtle, especially since we all have blind spots where our beloved animals are concerned. The little sideways glances, shoulder brushes, and tipped horns can go completely unnoticed as innocent accidents or playful high spirits until it comes out in an aggressive refusal to accept being told what to do (i.e. stand tied, wear a saddle, etc.). Once you figure out the exact source of your trouble you'll have an easier time solving the problem.
I've only had one goat that had to get used to the pack, and that's my shy boy, Sputnik. Everyone else accepted it without so much as a second glance. I took a rather different approach than Sabine. I spent all of Sputnik's life trying to bond with him, but he was not only still shy but also had a rather violent aversion to being touched, particularly behind the shoulder. He's always loved treats so I used food and never petting or scratching as a reward. Goats that like to be touched can be petted and scratched as a reward, so know your animal. I did not slowly work Sputnik up to accepting the saddle--I tried that approach and got nowhere at all. In fact, I was making him worse. So I switched to a more high-handed approach. I tied him fairly short with a halter so I could control his head and so he couldn't whack me with his horns. Butting is Sputnik's "go-to" defense mechanism when he feels threatened but can't flee, so I took that away from him first thing. I did not spend any time petting him or rubbing him with the saddle since he doesn't like to be touched and I wanted to respect that. He had learned the "Whoa!" command previously and he also was quite familiar with being tied by a halter, so I knew that he would not be scared by the restraint and I also knew that he *could* stand when told "Whoa." Then I set the saddle on his back and cinched it down snug but not tight. He danced around at first and it took him almost no time at all to figure out that if he squished himself hard against the fence I couldn't place the saddle properly and would have to start over. To fix this I went around to Sputnik's tail, wedged myself between his hindquarters and the fence and physically made him move while using the voice command "Step over!" Then I praised and gave a treat. Once he was standing where I wanted him I said, "Whoa!", gave a treat, and began again. He will still occasionally squish himself against a fence, but it's rare now, and generally only when we haven't practiced for a while.
Once Sputnik was saddled (or harnessed in our case), I rewarded and walked him around and had him do a few commands with the stuff on so he could get comfortable wearing it. When I first had a saddle on him I let him out to browse with the other goats while wearing it so he could learn that it's no big deal. Sputnik was physically shaking from fear when I first put the saddle on him, and I was a little afraid that I might traumatize him, but I quickly discovered that what Sputnik really needed was a firm, confident hand. The more I took it easy on him, pussyfooted around, tried not to startle him, etc. the more nervous and disobedient he became. My fear of startling him was startling him! I don't believe in intimidating an animal into obedience, but some animals definitely need a bold, confident leader who will tell them what to do and then make them do it even if they don't want to at first. Once I made it clear to Sputnik that I wasn't afraid of his fear and that nothing I did actually hurt him, it was like a switch went on in his head and he suddenly started trusting me. It's a process, of course, and once in a while he still reverts to his spooky old anti-social self, but for the most part he now likes to be with me, he comes eagerly when called, follows me around, and even likes to be scratched a little bit (something I thought could never happen). He no longer startles at all when being saddled or harnessed, and he seems to really enjoy having a job. He believes that since I'm strong and confident enough to be his boss, I must be strong and confident enough to protect him from the things that make him afraid, and it's made him a much bolder, happier, and friendlier goat.
I also have worked with friends' goats who refused to accept a saddle because they were spoiled and aggressive. They weren't afraid of the saddle, but they bucked and jumped and tried to butt when approached with it. It was not pain related--it was disrespect for people that caused these goats to behave poorly when asked to accept something new in their lives. One of them was so bad I told my friend I wasn't going to work with him until she had gentled him properly and taught him some manners. He was huge and dangerous and she didn't even realize it until we pushed him out of his comfort zone a little bit by introducing a harness. Another goat was only a little spoiled and he settled the minute we put a halter on him to control his head and then made him stand and accept the saddle. The second we had control of his head, he realized we had control of his horns and of his attitude and he wisely settled right down.
Think about why your goats are not accepting the equipment and then go from there. Distrust, disrespect, or discomfort are usually the culprits. Make sure your equipment fits properly and is placed correctly--not riding up on the shoulder blades, pinching the withers, or banging the hip bones. Distrust is usually fairly obvious and can be overcome by confident, consistent handling, clear instructions, and frequent rewards. Disrespect can be a lot more subtle, especially since we all have blind spots where our beloved animals are concerned. The little sideways glances, shoulder brushes, and tipped horns can go completely unnoticed as innocent accidents or playful high spirits until it comes out in an aggressive refusal to accept being told what to do (i.e. stand tied, wear a saddle, etc.). Once you figure out the exact source of your trouble you'll have an easier time solving the problem.