A GOAT WITH A BAD ATTITUDE.

[Ameraucana122]

I have been having serious issues with my goat. She is about 5 years of age and as she gets older, she seams to keep getting meaner. She is our only goat so I'm not sure if loneliness is this issue, but she has bonded with my border collie and I visit her daily to let her run around. We unfortunately cannot get another goat because of the lack of space and time so I hope that this isn't the issue.

When we first got her, she was about 2 years old and from what I've learned, her living conditions were very poor. She was not supplied with any grain or shelter so she basically lived off of grass, tied up by a chain. The base of her attitude might have come from her previous home, but I don't understand why it is getting worse. She is constantly running after us and when I try to lead her by her collar, she basically refuses to be controlled by anyone and ends up getting violent to get what she wants. The other issue is that she will basically do ANYTHING to get to food. She is so obsessive that she would actually kill someone just to reach a handful of grain (no joke). I feed her twice a day and she always has hay available so she is not acting like this out of starvation.

We used to tie her to a pulley rope in the middle of a field so she could graze, but she discovered that wrapping around people's legs is a good way to stop them in their tracks. I cannot count the number of times she has drug me to the ground.

She is perfectly behaved as long as you have food, but I want her to learn to respect me. She is probably the most spoiled goat I have ever met (due to being an only child) and I don't want to have to get rid of her, but she is oblivious to all punishment and she doesn't even understand what she does wrong.

PLEASE give me some ideas that will help me here. She is very smart (I have taught her 12 tricks), but she only responds with food. How can I fix this attitude without rewarding her with treats? I don't want to have to be physical to teach her who is in charge, but I'm honestly desperate at this point.

Thanks
~Ash

 

[Stacykins]

If you don't have the time or space for at least two goats, you shouldn't have any goats. Is it so hard to keep a herd animal properly, as part of a herd? By the way, the dog doesn't count as her herd, unless the dog lives with her 24/7/.

Anyway, it sounds like you've let her get away with bad behavior for far too long. Just like a puppy who is allowed to rule the home with an iron paw, you've let her do the same. Reward the good behavior with treats, and bad behavior is punished the instant it happens. Squirt gun to the face, grab of the ear (goats bite each others ears, but usually just the act of grabbing the ear sends the message), smack to the nose with a riding crop, a stick so she keeps her distance unless YOU allow her to be close. You let the behavior get this bad, so it won't be easy getting her back to where she has manners.

If that doesn't work, freezer camp is always a good option. And not getting any other goats unless you can make a pair of them.