goats memory

[d1]

my goat got out today and we(wife,son and I) chased her more than 1/5 a mile through the woods and across roads before loosing site of her. Prolly wouldnt been as bad if all the neighbors dogs hadnt been barking and chasing her,never knew ALL the neighbors had dogs,seemed like every time we went to another yard another dog appeared

my question is will she remember how to get home after all that excitement?

 

[cmjust0]

I hesitate to say this, but if you lost sight of her...and you saw her being pursued by multiple dogs...there's a good chance that you don't have a goat anymore. And I mean, a really good chance.

That said, if you get lucky and she's still alive...will she come back? I dunno...you guys essentially chased her away, so that's not great. She didn't understand that you were trying to catch her to bring her back.....all she knew was that she was being pursued. As a prey animal, being pursued means RUN.

If I were her, I wouldn't come back.

If I were you, I'd be out looking for my goat with a feedpan in hand, ready to lead her back, instead of posting on an internet forum..

But that's just me.

 

[d1]

Seems to me that the feed pan idea wasn't working in the yard, she turned and ran towards the road, so I pursued her to try to catch her before she got hurt or someone else did. There wasn't a pack of dogs, it was one or two dogs in pens or on chains barking at her, one dog was caught as it tried to chase her down, but thanks anyway for your opinion.

 

[sandy sea]

Good Luck. Can you take a car out to the area where she was last seem. I think you better keep looking. Were the dogs out of their yards? Dogs and Goats are not a good mix.

 

[redhen]

I say keep looking... get in the car and ride all over.. I'd literally search all night long...
contact all your neighbors and tell them that shes missing.. etc..
I hope those dogs didnt get her...

 

[Haviris]

Depending on how long you have had her, she should remember where home is. Sometimes they find something better along the way, some nice person feeds them, or they find other goats to buddy up w/. In that case she may not come home on her own. I'd keep looking, but tomarrow get word out to all neighbors that you're missing her. Maybe put up some flyers.

 

[jojo@rolling acres farm]

Is she your only goat? If you've already said so and I missed it in the post - I'm sorry. If you have other goats and she can hear them that will help. If she was your only goat...I would try to borrow one and have it at your house for several days. I wish you well. What a bummer! I think posting flyers is a great idea too. A while back, somone else had this same thing happen to a new little goat that they had just brought home. It had a very happy ending. I think by the next day later in the afternoon the goat had returned and had been recaptured. Don't give up hope just jet. Keep us posted...good luck. I hope she finds her way home.

Joni

 

[Skyesrocket]

While you are out looking for her stop by farms that have sheep and goats. Let them know that she is yours and might show up there. She may go into hiding for a day or so but goats are herd animals and she will go to where she hears other goats.
She might be able to find her way back home, but could be afraid of the dogs she would have to pass to get back to you.
Good Luck finding her. Post signs for a lost goat, just like you would for a dog.

 

[d1]

SHE HAS BEEN FOUND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

unfortunatly I cant get her till tommorrw as the guy that has her is not home and she is looked up with his dairy calves and rather than just let myself in I will wait till tommorrow

 

[chick4chicks]

I am so glad that your goat has been found. Another happy ending.