Because the fencing is down due to some upgrades and building on the farm, I need to move the goat from one fenced area to another. She is obstinate about being lead by a tether--almost playing and sometimes if she finds a particular weed she likes.

Does anyone have some tips I can use in the meantime to teach her to go with me? She is just full grown, have I waited too long to teach her? Would one of those books about teaching goats to be pack goats be helpful generally?

-- Ann Markson in s. Mid TN (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002

Answers

Get yourself a lamb halter/lead combination. They are pretty cheap (around $3-$4) and they work off the head pretty effectively. Good Luck!

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

Ann I have a 3 year old 2nd freshener who simply refuses to come from her to stall into the milkroom. Once in their she will jump up onto the milkstand, eat and stand patiently and be milked, jump down and walk all by herself back into the stall, so..........I got out the training collar this morning. It is made for dogs in jefferspet.com and has little rounded off spike looking things. You can snap it on in an instant, and the slightest jerk of it, really gets their attention. It is not sharp enough to go into the skin, but puts pressure under and around their neck, without choking. We also use it for big bucks and does who refuse to walk around the ring, and I also use it for training them to be good for me when getting ready for a show. It is so much eaiser than dragging, choking, or being mean to them which is what you always end up doing when it's hot, your in a hurry and they are being a pain! :) Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

Now, Stannie, that's not being very helpful. Mommy asks that you THINK about what you're going to say FIRST...

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

I've always found a for a stubborn goat, leading them by holding onto their collar(knuckles between their neck and the collar) works much better than trying to lead with a tether. There's also the old trick of a bucket over their head so they can't see for times when you encounter a real stubborn one.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), May 07, 2002.

I find if I slide their collars up towards their heads, I have much, much better luck and control at manuvering them where I want them to go. (P.S. I'm jealous -- you have a designated milk room? That would be so wonderful . . . Sigh.) ; )

-- Cheers, Renee M.

-- Renee Martin (icehorse@altelco.net), May 07, 2002.

Always lead by the collar, using a lead rope with her way on the end of it puts you at her mercy. She can get a good running start and yank you right onto the ground. I have a special halter that I make out of baling twine, especially for goats that do not want to lead. Wish I coud draw a diagram of it and post it here- it really makes a difference. The most important thing is never to let her get the best of you, and reawrd her when she comes willingly. Maybe it will help if you have a pan of grain waiting for her in the other pasture each time? Then it will be hard to keep up with her, lol!

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), May 07, 2002.

first of all i assume you have tried, the "follow mommy with the tiny morsel of grain n the bucket trick??"

other wise, everyones suggestions sound good, also

-- Beth in ND (famvan@drtel.net), May 07, 2002.

I don't know personally, because I haven't gotten my goats yet, but I have read that one hand in the collar and one hand under the chin works.

-- Robin Downing (Southpawrobin1@aol.com), May 07, 2002.

The spiked collars that Vicky was talking about are called prong collars. They come in different sizes and I prefer the smaller ones and just add link until it is big enough. I have used them on dogs and also on one buck, haven't had to use it on a doe yet. They are a lot easier on the next than choke collars. Treats also work, but if you don't always have them they probably won't follow.

-- Leslie in W. WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), May 07, 2002.

We have goats and lead them. We bought nylon dog collars with nylon lead straps. At first they are a little reluctant but eventually conform. Give them time. At first we hold onto the leash close to the collar. They like to browse and inspect everything so I let them do a little of this. We use this method when we move them from the pasture to the barn. Give it a try and be patient.

-- Carole Kington (kington@duo-county.com), May 08, 2002.