gander is targeting one of my kids

[goslingluv]

I have an african gander who is the most social tame animal but the past week he has started attacking my youngest child but is friendly to everyone else even complete strangers... something happened between them im sure but how/can I fix this? I have shown/talked to my son, but now what... can they ever be peaceful i dont wont my son to be afraid in his own yard, but we love the goose.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Did your son tease the gander or accidently hit him? Geese don't like to be teased and don't forget easily. Seems something must have happened between those 2 for the gander to seek him out. Maybe try letting your son with your supervision try offering a nice treat to try and heal the relationship? Not in his hand though in case of biting.

Also geese are bullies and if your son is young and not very tall your gander may just have had an opportunity to take advantage of that. Especially if your son acted afraid. That is one thing we cannot do is run or act afraid around them.

 

[goslingluv]

My son just turned three he does not tease him but i have seen the gander get kinda pushy and my son pushed him away i explained to him not to push or hit we are working on them having short positive interactions and im am setting new boundaries for everyone including my kids the gander is pushy and constantly intruding our space hes very curious. I think he may be spoiled

 

[goslingluv]

My son tried to run and the gander penned him up against a straw bale and viciously attacked him i had to pull the gander off him

 

[Miss Lydia]

Wow I would def get that under control your son being so little. This is how I trained my geese to not bully our dogs I used a long pole every time the geese would come around and drop their heads like they were going to go after them I would place the pole between them and the dogs. They don't even notice the dogs now but I would never leave them unattended. Yep geese especially ganders can over step their bounds and really need discipline to learn what is appropriate and what isn't. I have had geese over 11 years and had to teach my grander to respect my grand kids when they would come to visit also. I remember some years ago Celtic Farms telling us about her little 18 month old walking out in pasture with her with a long pole for a little one just to let the geese know not to mess with him. Geese are smart they learn quick and your son pushing the gander back was like a challenge to the gander I hope you can get this worked out. and please keep us updated. Geese can be such a blessing if properly trained. I never advocate abuse just gentle pushing with a broom or placing the pole between what they are perceiving as a threat or just wanting to bully.

 

[goslingluv]

Im going to try the pole method, i have been holding my sons hand in the yard and when the gander threatens him we walk forward toward the gander and say get back and wait for him to walk away, we have also been having my son pet the gander while i pet him to show the gander not to be afraid since he loves affection

 

[bobbi-j]

That gander would not last long here. My great-aunt used to have one that would attack her so badly she had to carry a broom every time she went outside. He left HUGE bruises on her. Nope. I would not keep any animal that I had to defend myself from. It's my yard and I will enjoy it.

And your son - how is he going to feel about geese in the future if he's getting chased, attacked or threatened every time he goes outside? I'm betting he'll have a lifelong fear or dislike of them.

 

[MillersFarm]

 

[goslingluv]

I put him in the re homing section today I just DONT want him eaten. I really hope someone close will take him soon its bad, hes taken over my yard just like over night hes a total dominating jerk. He used to be so nice its sad for us

 

[bobbi-j]

I put him in the re homing section today I just DONT want him eaten. I really hope someone close will take him soon its bad, hes taken over my yard just like over night hes a total dominating jerk. He used to be so nice its sad for us

How old is he? Could he be coming into sexual maturity? As far as whether or not he becomes supper, once he leaves your place it's no longer your concern. It would probably be best if you didn't ask questions. I will not rehome my animals for that reason. I'd rather process them myself. I know what kind of life they have here. I know that when I process them it's over quickly and they don't suffer. I'd rather have them have a good life here and one bad moment than to send them off to who knows what. If you can't eat him, I'd put him down and plant him under a bush or something to remember him by.