Goat training question

[goatsintheopen]

Trying to train my first goat. I reward treats for good behavior...my question is, what can I do when he misbehaves to correct the undesired behavior?

I posted on backyard herds as well..trying to get as much info as possible to help.

So what works for you?

 

[Teach97]

what kind of goat and training for what

 

[goatsintheopen]

a LaMancha weather.

Trying to get him to back up and away from the door of his pen so I can leave peacefully. He will get his head (with horns) in the corner of the door so he can try an muscle his way out..so I have to push him back . when I do he runs back up and will either jump on the door, put his hooves on my back or he will push my calf with his horns. I finally got frustrated and whacked him across the horns..he backed up and away then. but this can't be the right way to handle him.

I do give rewards when he does back up but I want to correctly train him.

 

[Teach97]

sounds like you got an older animal then?...hasn't been really raised in a small space?...this could be a problem. Goats are fairly smart animals. Is he halter and broke to lead? I would give him some fence time. When he tries getting out tie him to the fence for awhile

 

[goatsintheopen]

no he isn't older, he is about 7 months old. I got him when he was 8 weeks. He has a good size pen and he also gets let out for a good deal of time during the day. I don't have a halter for him but I have been working with him on a leash. I put his collar on and walk him around, each time going for longer walks. he does well with that but will get stubborn until he sees treats. I have never tried to tie him though. you think that would curb his pushiness?

 

[Epona142]

Spray bottle. Squirt that bugger in the face with water.

They hate that.

And honestly, hitting him hard across the horns is not a bad thing. It's something he UNDERSTANDS which is why he backed off. He thought "Oh my, s/he is tougher than me"

 

[bagendhens]

let me prface this by saying im all about positive reinforcment training for animals in general...

but im also going to say i agree with the post above me...sometiems the best ay to train an animal is to aproach in a way they understand...
in goat behaviour it ouldnt be unusual for a dominant goat to put a pushy upcommer in its place with a good push/head butt ect.

im not saying go around hitting him on the nose or anything, but a good push back, a knock on the horns ect is definatly a language they "understand" im also hearing alot of goat people use squirt bottles for pushy goats...
and remember, while positive reinforcment and treats ect are GREAT, this is also a large, powerfull animal with horns! your saftey comes first...sometimes no matter what treats you have, these animals will act up.

im liking the sound of a squirt bottle if its effective

 

[goatsintheopen]

Thank ya'll for your input! I really appreciate it!

I want a good, well mannered pet so I'll keep working with him using the suggestions posted. Good to know I wasn't abusing him by whacking him on his horns, as that is something I would NEVER, EVER want to do.